Aaron’s Story, Part Four: “Hail, Locusts, and Deception.”

And so, we went. We sacrificed to the Lord Yahweh, we reveled in the freedom of the wilderness, and then we returned to Egypt a week later… And we knew the Pharaoh's resolve confronted Pharaoh, delivering the divine messages of the Lord.

"Pharaoh! The Lord has spoken!" Moses declared to Pharaoh, his voice resolute. "Let my people go, so that they may worship Him."

Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, while his grip was tightening on the Israelites. He groaned in annoyance and disgust and said "Wonderful, the slaves have returned. What annoyances do you bring me today, Moses?"

With his very words, he defied the Lord's command, and the consequences unfolded before us nearly immediately. No sooner had the words come out of Rameses' mouth, that Thunder echoed throughout the land of Egypt. The sky, which had been clear and blue just seconds before, turned a deep gray.

In addition, there were a few quail who were sort of grazing around in this area of the palace, and they dropped dead. Moses walked over to one and picked it up by the legs, showing it to the King.

"The hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock," I echoed the words that came to my mind, courtesy of our Lord, to Pharaoh. "A plague on your horses, donkeys, quail, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats. However, the Lord will spare the livestock of Israel. These are the words of Yahweh, heed them or face the consequences."

True to the words spoken by us, the following day unfolded into a harrowing series of events. The Egyptians' livestock lay lifeless, decaying, and sick; while the animals of the Israelites stood entirely unharmed.

Pharaoh sent his wise men and magicians into the land to investigate this sudden onset. They confirmed the Lord's power, being, yet again, unable to replicate this act of God… And yet, Rameses' heart remained obstinate.

As the plagues continued to ravage Egypt, we moved forward with determination, trusting in the Lord's guidance. By night we preached to the Israelites, and by day, to the King of Egypt.

Next, a plague of boils was unleashed upon the Egyptians; afflicting both people and animals. Yahweh said to us "Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air, in the presence of the Pharaoh.

It will become like fine dust, and travel over all of the land of Egypt. Festering boils, open sores, and pain will break out on people and animals throughout the land."

Even the magicians, with their deceptive tricks, could not withstand the power of the Lord. Yet still, the Pharaoh's heart remained unyielding, refusing to bend to the will of God.

After 7 days, as an act of compassion, Moses and I provided the Pharaoh with instructions for a medicinal salve that would help to heal the Egyptians, under the direction of our Lord God.

Then, once more, the Lord spoke to Moses and me, instructing us to confront Pharaoh with a message of impending destruction.

"Yet still you set yourself against my people, and will not let them go. Therefore, at this time tomorrow, I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever befallen Egypt, from the day it was founded till now.

Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every person and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die."

The plague of hail would strike the next day, leaving a devastating impact on Egypt. We conveyed the Lord's warning to Pharaoh, urging him to release our people from bondage.

Pharaoh's officials, those who held a glimmer of fear for the Lord, hastened to protect their slaves, families, and livestock. They heeded the warning, recognizing the power of the Lord God. But those who disregarded the word of Yahweh, faced the wrath of the hailstorm.

Standing amidst the tumultuous storm, Moses stretched out his hand, summoning thunder and hail, while lightning flashed across the sky. The hail decimated the fields, stripping away life from every living thing it touched. Egypt, once a prosperous land, now bore the scars of devastation.

Goshen, the land where the Israelites resided, remained untouched by the destructive forces of God's Wrath. It was a testament to the Lord's favor upon His people; a beacon of hope, amidst the chaos.

Pharaoh summoned us back to the palace, and, acknowledging his transgressions, pleaded for respite from the suffering. Moses assured him that the hail and thunder would cease, but he knew that Pharaoh's heart remained unchanged.

He stood outside of the city, and raised his hands to the sky, praying to the Lord. The storm cleared, but the cycle of defiance would repeat; until the final plague was born unto Egypt…

The plague of locusts was the next divine intervention. We returned to Pharaoh, conveying the Lord's command, as our words were met with skepticism from his officials.

Egypt was crumbling under the weight of these plagues, and even Pharaoh's advisors recognized the futility of their resistance, telling the Pharaoh he needed to let the Israelites go, because Egypt was ruined, and if this continued, it would be utterly destroyed.

And so, the pharaoh proposed a compromise. He suggested that only the men among the Israelites be permitted to leave Egypt, and worship the Lord. Moses scoffed, his confidence having grown with every passing day. As if he didn't need me anymore he began to fight back against the Pharaoh on his own.

"The Men?! No. You will release our entire community, heathen. Young and old, men, women, and children. The Lord has called for an Exodus of the Israelites, and if you don't deliver, Egypt will be destroyed."