Getting Egypt Out of Israel: The Exodus Plagues as Spiritual Formation (Avery & Wadholm) Ep. #230

Are the ten plagues just divine punishment? Or are they intended to form a people?

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Dr. Rick Wadholm and Pastor Dalton Avery, co-authors of Plagued by Faith, to explore a more layered vision of the plague narratives in Exodus. Rather than merely acts of judgment, the plagues are portrayed as formative, disruptive events that unmake Egypt’s religious, political, and economic worldview—and detach Israel from it.

The Nile River, Egypt’s source of life, is turned to blood not only to confront Pharaoh, but to sever Israel’s spiritual dependence on Egypt. The calendar is reset at Passover, reorienting the people’s very sense of time and community. These acts weren’t random—they were theological statements shaping Israel’s identity, even while challenging Egypt’s gods .

As Dalton notes, “The Lord is not out here just doing violence for no reason, but there’s redemptive heart, there’s redemptive intent in every action of the Living God” . Rick adds, “Behold the face of God who sends plagues… somehow to offer a re-visioning of these stories as revealing this God”.

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Chapters:

00:00 The Genesis of the Book 03:22 God vs. The Gods: Understanding the Plagues 06:17 Deconstruction and Identity: The Plagues' Purpose 09:27 The River: A Symbol of Life and Security 18:26 Calendar and Community: Redefining Time for Israel 21:51 Lessons from Egypt: What to Keep and What to Leave Behind 23:38 The River's Dual Role: Life and Death 25:22 Corporate Responsibility and Divine Justice 27:02 Women of Courage: Midwives and Prophetic Resistance 30:49 Jesus and the Exodus: Parallels and Fulfillment 35:47 The Ongoing Plagues: Lessons from Israel's Journey 39:48 Plagued by Faith: Understanding God's Intentions