.
.
0/

The GOD of the Hebrews versus the Egyptian gods
Rev. Bryant S. Williamson
Prof. Linda Reaves
Writing and Research 215, Strayer University
November 8, 2011

Intoduction
There is a belief in a supreme being by all religions on earth. I believe that the same GOD of the Hebrews is this GOD because of his display of power over the Egyptian gods. This report looks at one account of many in the bible where GOD uses an ordinary man to free his people from bondage in Egypt using signs and wonders.

The God of the Hebrews Versus the Egyptian gods
One of the most awesome displays of power and love in the Bible is the deliverance of Gods’ people from Egypt. They were lead out of Egypt by Moses, a Hebrew found floating in an ark by Pharaohs daughter as a child. Moses, now grown, went out unto his people and saw an Egyptian beating one of his brethren and killed the Egyptian. After hearing of what Moses had done the Pharaoh sought to kill him but Moses had fled to the city of Midian and as time went on the King of Egypt died and the children of Israel (Hebrews) cried out to God because of their bondage. Thus the Lord remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and Jacob and sent Moses as the deliverer of his people.
Moses is then encountered in the presence of God being called out of the mist of a burning bush and is given instructions to return to Egypt with Aaron where he demands that Pharaoh set his people free. And Pharaoh replies “Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord ,neither will I let Israel go”(direct quote Bible, Exodus 5:2). After returning yet again the next day demanding and being turned down the Lord set upon Egypt ten plagues that to show unto the Egyptians that He is God and He is Real.
The first plague was a public miracle and a blow to the Egyptian gods because the Egyptians hated blood but now their sacred river gave death instead of life. The magicians of Egypt did the same with their enchantments and the Pharaohs heart was hardened. Moses once again came before the Pharaoh demanding that his people be set free and again Pharaoh refused, thus the second plague was come forth with frogs abundantly. Heget (Heket) was the goddess of childbirth and was depicted as a frog or a woman with the head of a frog and now the Egyptian goddess of life was being racked up in dead piles. The third plague was lice that tortured the Egyptians. They worshipped the earth god Seth and now the earth released lice upon them. Pharaoh still would not let the Hebrews go.
The fourth plague was the swarm of flies, Beelzebub prince of the air, the flies were considered to be his ears. Now they were attacking the people and the priest driving them crazy. The Egyptians considered the bull to be sacred but the fifth plague was the death of their cattle, this attack was against Hathor the cow goddess. Pharaoh still hardened his heart. Boils the sixth plague were thought to represent punishment of sins.
The Egyptians had a god that controlled the weather and another that dealt with chaos. The God of the Hebrews gave them hail and chaotic attacks, the seventh plague. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and asked him, “Thus saith the Lord how long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.” They explained that if he refused the next day the eight plague will bring locusts into the coast to devour everything not already destroyed by the hail. The Pharaoh wanted only but them to leave his presence and as promised the Lord sent the locusts upon Egypt. The god Serapis was supposed to protect the land from locusts but was proved false and powerless to the God of the Hebrews. After still refusing to set his people free the Lord God of the Hebrews told Moses to stretch out his hand to the heavens that darkness may be in Egypt three days. This the ninth plague was directed at Ra the sun god who was supposed to protect from any curse of the sun and bring natural blessings of light and warmth.
The Lord hardened Pharaohs heart and he still refused to set them free and told Moses that if he saw his face again that he would die. Moses replied, “You have spoken well, I will see your face no more”. God of the Hebrews spoke to Moses yet one more time and said I will bring one more plague upon Egypt and after this he will let my people go. The Lord instructed Moses about midnight that he will go out into Egypt and the entire first born of men and beast will die. The Lord at midnight smote all the firstborns in Egypt and there was a great cry in Egypt. The next day Pharaoh sent for Moses and told him to take his people and go.

Running head: THE GOD OF THE HEBREWS VERSUS THE EGYPTIAN GODS