Across my five weekly/bi-weekly Bible studies this fall is the relationship between the Egyptian plagues in Exodus and the eschatological ones in Revelation. We all know that the series are related but to study them simultaneously makes such a clear impact on understanding and appreciation.

And I asked of my study group on Tuesday, why didn't Pharaoh's magicians use their powers to reverse Moses' divinely-orchestrated plagues? Instead, they shoot themselves in the foot by imitating the plagues, increasing the number of frogs (Exodus 8:7), already too many! Or turning water into blood, already all turned to blood ... (see a previous post on apparent inconsistencies in the sacred text - read the comments).

The sacred author mocks the Egyptian magicians for such dimwitted exercise of their abilities.

Our homework directed us to look at Psalm 105:27-38 which offers a highly-stylized picture of seven of the ten plagues, an idealized list perhaps (be sure to read footnote #5).

And a study partner observed that God's direct role is articulated more explicitly in the psalm than in the Exodus account, 'though nobody would contest that God was at work in the historical happenings. The part that God's word played in the event is very clear, the efficacy of His word being a recurrent theme in the Psalms, an important piece of the Psalmist's theology. A keen insight.