Plagues 2, 3, and 4

Exodus 8 (selected verses)

8 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, “Thus says the Lord: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs….6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts, and brought frogs up on the land of Egypt.

8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said, ‘Pray to the Lord to take away the frogs from me and my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.’…12 Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh; and Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs that he had brought upon Pharaoh.…15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt.”’ 17 And they did so…18 The magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, but they could not. There were gnats on both humans and animals. 19 And the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God!’ But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

20 Then the Lord said to Moses,…“say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 21 For if you will not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies…and the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies; so also the land where they live. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people live, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I the Lord am in this land. 23 Thus I will make a distinction between my people and your people.”’ 24 The Lord did so…

25 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, and said, ‘Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.’ 26 But Moses said, ‘It would not be right to do so; for the sacrifices that we offer to the Lord our God are offensive to the Egyptians….27 We must go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he commands us.’ 28 So Pharaoh said, ‘I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness, provided you do not go very far away. Pray for me.’…30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. 31 And the Lord did as Moses asked: he removed the swarms of flies…not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and would not let the people go.

Things got even more intense. The progression is worth noting.

Plague 2 – the frogs. The frogs were everywhere (with the Egyptians and also with the Israelites). The Israelites lived in a part of Egypt called Goshen – it was the only place in Egypt they were allowed to live. Pharaoh’s magicians were able to make more frogs (although that just added to the chaos) so Pharaoh was not impressed by the frogs.

Plague 3 – the gnats. The gnats were everywhere (with the Egyptians and also with the Israelites). The Israelites were facing the same hardships that the Egyptians were, this would not have made Moses and Aaron very popular with the Israelites, the people Moses and Aaron were trying to help. But Pharaoh’s magicians couldn’t make more gnats. The magicians recognized that this was “the finger of God”. They told Pharaoh that the one who was bringing the plagues was God, but Pharaoh paid no attention. He was so set on saying “no” he could not hear that this was God.

Plague 4 – the flies. The flies impact only the Egyptians, the land of Goshen with the Israelites was fly free. Between the flies being in everything and it was now clear that God was on the side of the Israelites, Pharaoh started to bend to Moses’ demand. The people of Israel could go a short distance into the wilderness to worship God, if Moses would pray for Pharaoh and get rid of the flies. Moses prayed, God removed the flies, and Pharaoh said, “We dodged that bullet. I have changed my mind the people of Israel cannot even go a short distance into the wilderness.” 

How often, when we are in trouble, when we have reached the end of our ability and resources, do we say to God, “I will do whatever you want, if you will get me out of this mess”? But when the trouble passes, we forget the promise.   

PRAYER:

Lord God, when we are in trouble we cry out to you and make promises to you, that if you save us we will do great things in thanksgiving. But, we confess, when those troubles end, we quickly forget what we have promised. Remind us, O Lord, of the promises we have made. In Jesus’ name. Amen.