Exodus 6:2-9:30

Exodus chapter 1, verse 6 to chapter 9, verse 30

Summary

This parashah begins with God explaining that the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the reason that God is saving the Israelites. God is fulfilling the promise God made to them. Moses tells all this to the Israelites, who don’t listen.

Moses calls out to God complaining that if the Israelites won’t listen to him, how would Pharaoh? God reminds Moses that Aaron will be his spokesperson. God also explains that God will provide “signs and wonders” but Pharaoh will refuse to give in because God will “harden his heart”.

Moses and Aaron come before Pharaoh and demand that he lets the Israelite go worship God. To prove God’s power, Aaron throws his staff onto the ground and it turns into a serpent. Pharaoh calls his wizards and they did the same thing. However Aaron’s serpent ate the other snakes. Pharaoh did not change his mind and refused to allow the Hebrew go.

God, through Moses and Aaron brings about a series of plagues: turning the Nile River into blood, The fish in the river died and there was nothing to drink. However, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do the same thing, so Pharaoh’s heard was hardened. Next God sent the plague of frogs, which covered the land and entered people’s homes and even beds. Pharaoh’s magicians were able to perform the same miracle, and Pharaoh wouldn’t change his mind.

The third plague, was lice which was followed by swarms of insects that spread throughout the land. Now, Pharaoh changed his mind and said that the Israelites could worship God, but only in Egypt, and not in the wilderness. The plague ends and Pharaoh changes his mind and forbids the Hebrews from leaving. Because of this the fifth, sixth and seventh plagues (cattle disease, boils and hail) follow.

Getting to Know my Parasha

What Does my Parasha Say?

  1. The portion begins with God reviewing the covenant with Moses. Why do you think God did that?
  2. In this parasha we learn the names of Moses’s parents. What were they?
  3. Go to chapter 6, verses 6 and 7. What do they mean? What is the difference between different ways God will save the Israelites?
  4. Why did Moses want Aaron with him?
  5. What do you think the text means when it says that God will “harden Pharaoh’s heart”?
  6. Why did Pharaoh not agree to let the Hebrews go?
  7. Which plague didn’t effect the Israelites as long as they stayed in Goshen?