Why did God send the sons of Israel into Egypt in the first place? Why did God keep them in Egypt for so long? Why did God let them become slaves, cruelly oppressed by their Egyptian masters? And why did God use so many plagues—ten plagues God sent on the Egyptians—before they relented and let the Israelites go. Why so many?

To show you that he is mighty to save and mighty to judge the wicked. God hardens Pharaoh's heart to give powerful signs and an enduring testimony that God is the sovereign Lord.