It was the LORD’s
intention that Egypt, as well as His chosen people Israel, would know that He
alone reigned supreme over creation and every god conceived by the heart of
mankind. The LORD clearly identified Himself with His chosen people even though
they were a nation enslaved by Pharaoh. God wanted to show Pharaoh that His
authority was not diminished by the weakened state that Israel found themselves
in; His authority was in fact so great that He would deliver His people and
show the nations His unmatched authority.
In Ancient Egypt,
the Nile River was the source of life and fertility. Its annual flooding
resulted in nutrient-rich mineral deposits along its banks, enabling the
Egyptians to plant and irrigate their crops to obtain an abundant harvest. The
Nile was also the main source of drinking water for the Egyptians and their
livestock. Egypt was often described as a “fertile crescent” because of the
Nile River. As a result of the Egyptians’ dependence on the Nile, various cults
developed and many Egyptians worshipped the Nile god, Hapi. Hapi was depicted
as a man with long hair, a protruding belly and the pendulous breasts of an old
woman. The large belly and breasts signified the fertility of the Nile, the
lifeblood of Egypt. An old Egyptian hymn states that if Hapi were to fail in
granting the Egyptians the annual inundation of the Nile, all the gods would
fall to the earth and mankind would perish. Hapi was often regarded as the
father of the gods. Hatmehyt was fish-goddess of Egypt and was believed to
reside in the river.
Pharaoh’s hardened
heart resulted in the LORD’s first physical judgment on Egypt. When Aaron
struck the Nile with his rod at God’s command, all the water in Egypt turned to
blood and the Nile began to stink. The fish in the river died. This signified
that the LORD reigned supreme over the Egyptian god of the Nile, Hapi, as well
as their fish-goddess, Hatmehyt. Even the water in vessels of wood and stone
turned to blood, signifying that this act could not be ascribed to any natural
cause. However, because the Egyptians dug along the Nile for drinking water and
their magicians were able to perform the same sign, Pharaoh once again hardened
his heart and refused to let Israel go. It was significant that the magicians
were able only to copy the signs the LORD performed, but not reverse them. The
deities of Egypt and Pharaoh himself were powerless. The LORD showed Egypt that
He is the lifeblood of mankind. He is the Creator and source of all things,
even the Nile River on which they so depended.
Scripture references: Exodus 7:14-25
