Judgment and Mercy

Comparing the Plagues of Exodus with the Bowls in Revelation

What happened in the Old Testament is so often a foreshadowing of what is to come – not only in the writings of the New Testament but in the life we are leading today and into the future. This phenomenon occurs again with the 10 Plagues on Egypt as depicted in Exodus 7-12. These plagues certainly did a lot for the Children of Israel at the time and they allow us to understand what will happen at the end of the age.

Judgment is a difficult subject for many since it is sometimes hard to accept the need for it. While most of us understand the need to punish the murderer, it is often harder to punish lesser infractions, especially if they are done by those we love. This is particularly true when we realize we are just as guilty of wrongdoing (in the same or similar way) as the person who is being judged. As Paul puts it –

For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:22(b)-24 (ESV)

Or, as the old adage states, “But for the grace of God go I.”

On the other hand there are some who use judgment of others to such an extent they become truly “judgmental” in nature. Unfortunately, this often is a way for a person like this to cover up the wrongdoings in their life by constantly being critical of others.

God does not have either issue. He perfectly balances the need for judgment with mercy. God’s judgments are full of mercy. Unfortunately, we so often do not do the same. We practice retributive justice which is judgment with little or no mercy. God, on the other hand, has always been about restorative justice or judgement with a way to make both the wrongdoer and the victim better.

Any wrong we do is a wrong against God. As David says in Psalm 51 “Against you and you alone have I sinned.” If God were to use retributive justice, we all would have been snuffed out of existence long ago considering how many wrongs we have done in our lives. However, He always gives us a way back to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. In so doing, we, who come to faith and humble ourselves to Him, are made better by His mercy and we make the lives of those around us better – often those we hurt through our wrongs.

Indeed, God gave Pharoh and all Egyptians ample time to repent as the plagues likely took 9-12 months from the first to the last. We all have many opportunities to repent during our lives. Unfortunately, like Pharoh, our hearts often remain hard and we clench our fists since to humble ourselves to God is a realization we cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try. It is only when we unclench our fists, soften our heart, and bow our head do we start to receive the great gifts God has ready for us.

It is also important to understand in the Bible, Egypt carries rich and multifaceted symbolic meanings, shaped by its historical, cultural, and theological roles. Egypt symbolizes oppression, worldly power, idolatry, and rebellion against God, most vividly in the exodus account where it represents slavery to sin. Therefore, when someone comes “out of Egypt,” they are coming out of the darkness of sin, oppression and idolatry. When Jesus went into Egypt as a young boy and then came out from there, it not only fulfilled a prophecy of the Old Testament (Hosea 11:1), it also symbolized His entire ministry. He came into the world oppressed by sin (shown by going into Egypt) and then showed He will conquer sin by coming out of Egypt.

Before we go on, you may be wondering how God’s judgment was merciful for any Egyptians considering all that happened. After the 10^th plague/hit, the Passover, it says:

³⁷ And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. ³⁸ A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds. Exodus 12:37-38 (ESV)

The “mixed multitude” are non-Israelites, including some Egyptians, who left Egypt at the same time following Moses. An unmerciful God would not have allowed this. As Peter states -

⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

One other point before we start comparing Exodus and Revelation is the use of the term plague when talking about what happened in Egypt. There was actually only one true plague (the boils). The rest were more strikes against Egypt and what Egypt stands for. The Hebrew word we use as plague actually means “a blow” or a hit. Thinking of the 10 plagues as 10 hits or blows against Egypt gives us a better appreciation as to what happened.

Exodus and Revelation –

The plagues/blows of Exodus brought God’s people out of Egypt.

The judgments of Revelation (called “bowls of God’s wrath”) bring all of God’s people out of the entire world

There are 10 plagues/blows in Exodus and only 7 bowls in Revelation. However, the first three plagues affected both the Egyptians and the Israelites alike. The last 7 plagues did not affect the Israelites. Likewise, the 7 bowls are directed against those who refuse to accept God and do not directly hurt God’s children.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent. Psalm 91:5-10 (ESV)

There are some who think believers will not be on the earth as the 7 bowls are poured out and that is why believers will not be affected. That is a debate for another day.

Regardless, do not miss sight of the number 7. It is completeness. After the last 7 plagues/blows which did not affect the Children of Israel, the Israelites and the mixed multitude are freed from the bondage of Egypt, the earthly symbol of opposition to God. After the 7 bowls of God’s wrath are completed, the believers are freed from the oppression of the entire world.

You can see the mercy in both the judgment of Egypt in Exodus and the judgment of the world in Revelation – not everyone is wiped out even though every single person involved has sinned against God in some way. The difference is those who have faith in God versus those who do not have faith. It was, is, and always will be a matter of the heart. If you are so inclined and want to dig even deeper, compare the attitude of Pharaoh and his court in Exodus 7-12 with the attitude of non-believers in Revelation 16-18. The similarities are striking.

God knows our heart and we will all eventually be called out of this world. We will either be called out at our death or called out when Jesus returns. Those who resist until the end will suffer the second death while those who humble themselves to God will not.

We must always remember God's ultimate plan is an eternal plan and not one for the world we now see. He certainly does have plans for us while we are in this world, but they all point to His ultimate plan for us in eternity.

Rejoice and be glad. We do not want the problems of this world continuing into the eternal Promised Land.