After seven days, Moses told Pharaoh, “Because of your stubbornness, frogs will infest your land.” 

So Aaron stretched out his staff, and frogs started coming up out of the rivers and lakes. The magicians also made some frogs appear. Soon there were frogs everywhere. They went to every city street. They got into people’s houses and into their food—even into their beds! 

Pharaoh said to Moses, “I’ve changed my mind. Your people can go into the wilderness and worship their God. Ask Him to get rid of the frogs.” 

Moses asked, “When do you want the frogs to leave?” Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” 

The next day the frogs died, and people gathered them up into big piles. Soon they started to stink! Pharaoh then changed his mind and refused to let the people go. 

Next, Aaron struck the ground with his staff and the dust turned into lice. Soon, all the people and animals throughout Egypt were infested with lice. Pharaoh’s magicians were unable to do this. They said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God!” Still he wouldn’t let the people go.

Next, God sent swarms of flies to cover the land. But there were no flies in the part of Egypt where the Hebrews lived. 

Pharaoh agreed to let the people go. Moses said the flies would be gone the next day, but he added, “Take care. Don’t change your mind again!” However, that is exactly what he did. Once the flies were gone, Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let the people go. 

God sent a plague upon the livestock, but again it didn’t affect the livestock of Israel. Pharaoh became more stubborn, and refused to let the Hebrews go. 

Moses took a handful of ashes and tossed it into the air. It became a fine dust that spread through all of Egypt causing boils on all the people and animals. The magicians couldn’t stand before Pharaoh because of their boils! 

Pharaoh was angry, and refused to listen to Moses. God had told Moses that Pharaoh would act like this. 

Moses went to Pharaoh with a special message from God. He said, “Up to this point I’ve restrained My hand against you. Now, My plagues will be directed toward you and your people. When I’m done, all the nations on earth will know I am the Lord! 

“Tomorrow I’ll send a hailstorm like you’ve never seen before! All people and animals are to stay under shelters, or they’ll die!” 

The next day, fierce hail mixed with fire came down and ruined the crops that were in the fields. Yet, the hail didn’t fall in the land where the Israelites lived. 

Some of the Egyptians did as Moses told them. They put their animals and slaves under shelters. But others didn’t, and their livestock and slaves died in the storm. 

Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “I know I’ve sinned. I’m wrong and God is right. Please pray and ask Him to stop this storm. I’ll let your people go.” 

Moses said, “This storm will stop as soon as I leave here.” He started to leave, then turned to Pharaoh. “I know you don’t fear God.” 

And it was true. As soon as Pharaoh saw the storm and the hail stop, he stubbornly turned against God and the people of Israel.