In this chapter we see three more plagues that God places on Egypt, the first one was frogs. To a young boy that may sound like a lot of fun, but in reality, it was a messy, disgusting and noisy burden for the people to be up to their elbows in frogs, they contaminated their food and water and created an overall unsanitary conditions. Again, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to copy the plague of the frogs. This plague almost made Pharaoh let the Israelites go, but as soon as the frogs died and Pharaoh was able to get rest he hardened his heart again.
Next, the Lord had Aaron turn the dust of the earth in lice, which infested in every man, woman and beast of Egypt. The magicians were not able recreate this plague and even admitted that it came from God. Still Pharaoh hardened his heart.
Moses then explains that swarms of flies will corrupt the land of Egypt, except in Goshen, where the Israelites lived. They would be spared from the swarms of flies. This time Pharaoh tells Moses that he can sacrifice to God in the land of Egypt, but Moses would not except that because it would have been deemed unacceptable to the Egyptians for the hebrews to perform such sacrifices and they would be stoned for it. Therefore, Pharaoh agrees to let the hebrews go into the wilderness for three days, and he asks Moses to pray for him on account of the flies. After Moses does what is asked for him and the flies are gone. Pharaoh hardens his heart again and will not let the people go.
Each time a plague burdens Pharaoh to a point in which he cannot bear it, he agrees to let the people go, but once he is given relief, his heart is hardened and he breaks his promise to Moses. This reminds me of the fickle human nature, oftentimes in moments of grief, despair or dire need, we call out for God to help, but as soon as our needs abate we lose our zeal to reciprocate the love in service to God.
I think a lot of the time we act no better than pharaoh. We sin, see the consequences of our sin, repent, and than once we think we’re safe from the consequences we dive right back into the sin.
Good observation. Spoken plainly and to the point.
Even though pharaoh saw the miracles/plagues that were coming from God his heart was hard and he wouldn’t turn from his own pride and listen to Moses. We need to make sure that we listen God and don’t have a hard heart.(p.s. I would hate to have frogs everywhere)
Good insight and conviction. Here is a great verse to pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
About the frogs . . . Sam would love it!