Water to blood: 1st sign. Exodus 7:14-25 The first set of three signs affected the entire land without exception. Before each of these plagues occurred, a warning was issued along with an opportunity to repent. There is a lengthy warning before the first three plagues, a shorter warning for the next three, and none before the final three. Interestingly, each series of plagues began with Moses approaching Pharaoh early in the morning. The full impact of each plague was visible to everyone. No one could claim they didn't see something supernatural happening. When Moses predicted the plague, his warning was very precise, leaving no doubt about what was coming. The magicians of Egypt understood they were dealing with a deity much greater than theirs.
Moses met Pharaoh one morning as he was going to the Nile River, which the Egyptians considered sacred. Their lives depended on the water in the Nile, so it was regarded as holy water. When Moses poured out water and it turned to blood, the Israelites believed that what Moses said was a message from God. Pharaoh did not believe and refused the request to let Israel go. This act was a challenge to God and was somewhat copied by sorcerers and magicians, but God's work did not end at the river. He turned every bucket, jar, and container holding water into blood right where it was.
The plagues of the Nile River turning into blood lasted seven days. The gradual effects of the plagues grew worse each day. Fish died, and the river began to stink. The water itself smelled bad, and wells had to be dug to get water. When God judged in the past, and when He judges now and in the future, it doesn't mean that longer judgments are necessary. The effects can last a long time. When disasters happen in our country or elsewhere, the impact is felt for days, months, and even years. It is very foolish to think that God can be ignored or disrespected without consequences.
The effects and smell of sin in this world not only reach God, but as we live longer, those who have eternal life understand what our sin was like in a way we didn’t realize when God saved us. We become more aware of sin and what it brings upon individuals and the entire world. It is by God’s grace that we are saved when we put our faith in Him. Now, grace and truth continue to be fully revealed as the water of life keeps springing up constantly in its freshness and blessing.