Joshua 24:5
““‘I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.”
What does Joshua 24:5 mean?
God is reminding the people of Israel about the major turning points in their history, speaking through Joshua as their leader prepares them to renew their covenant. He's describing his direct action in two stages: first, the ten plagues that forced Egypt's hand, and second, the exodus itself when he led them to freedom. The phrase "I plagued Egypt" shows that God wasn't distant during their slavery, but actively intervened through the plagues to break Pharaoh's resistance. Then came the even greater act of bringing them out, which would have included crossing the Red Sea and the journey that followed. By recounting these events, God is essentially saying, "Look at what I've already done for you—look at how I've shown up when it mattered most." It's meant to build trust and gratitude as the people face their future in the promised land.