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Exodus 8 The Plagues of Egypt

1 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: 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.

3 The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs.

4 The frogs will go up on you and your people and all your officials.’”

5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’”

6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land.

7 But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”

9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.”

10 “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.
Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God.

11 The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.”

12 After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh.

13 And the Lord did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields.

14 They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them.

15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.

16 The Plague of Gnats
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.”

17 They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats.

18 But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals.

19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said.

20 The Plague of Flies
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he goes to the water and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

21 If you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies, and even the ground where they are.

22 “‘But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land.

23 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will occur tomorrow.’”

24 And the Lord did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials, and throughout Egypt the land was ruined by the flies.

25 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.”

26 But Moses said, “That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the Lord our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us?

27 We must take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, as he commands us.”

28 Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God in the desert, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.”

29 Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only be sure that Pharaoh does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”

30 Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord,

31 and the Lord did what Moses asked: The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained.

32 But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 8

Exodus Chapter 8 presents a continuation of the narrative of Moses and Aaron’s confrontation with Pharaoh in order to secure the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This chapter focuses on the plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies, which serve as tangible manifestations of God’s omnipotence and His judgment upon Egypt. The chapter combines rich symbolism, dramatic encounters, and theological significance, offering numerous points for reflection and interpretation.

The Plague of Frogs

Verses 1-15 detail the second plague, where frogs inundate Egypt.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country.’” (Exodus 8:1-2)

The introduction of the plague with a demand from God highlights the recurring theme of divine sovereignty versus human obstinacy. Each plague serves as a reinforcement of God’s power and as a challenge to Pharaoh’s perceived authority. By sending frogs throughout Egypt, God disrupts daily life, affecting both the personal and public spheres. Frogs flooding homes, bedrooms, and kitchens underscore that no place is immune from God’s reach, emphasizing the omnipotence and pervasive nature of divine judgment. Additionally, frogs were symbols of fertility and regeneration, elements associated with Egyptian deities like Heket, thus this plague directly challenges Egyptian religious beliefs.

“But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 8:7)

The Egyptian magicians replicate this plague, which initially might seem to diminish the act’s perceived divine origin. However, their replication only serves to exacerbate the problem, intensifying the consequences for Egypt and, inadvertently, affirming the power of God rather than negating it. Ironically, this episode illustrates that duplicating God’s acts does not deter their intended impact; it magnifies God’s might and Pharaoh’s failure to counteract divine will.

“Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD.’” (Exodus 8:8)

Pharaoh’s plea for relief signifies a temporary acknowledgment of God’s power and, under duress, he agrees to Moses’ terms. However, this moment of apparent submission is short-lived.

“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.” (Exodus 8:15)

This introduces a recurring motif in which Pharaoh’s heart hardens after each temporary mitigation of suffering. This hardening not only sets the stage for subsequent plagues but also serves as a narrative tool to demonstrate Pharaoh’s unyielding opposition to God’s will, a crucial point in the theological arc of Exodus.

The Plague of Gnats

Verses 16-19 cover the third plague, where gnats arise from the dust of the land.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.’” (Exodus 8:16)

This plague diverges from the previous ones by not providing Pharaoh with a warning, implying a swift escalation in divine judgment. The transformation of dust into gnats connects to the creation narrative, where man is formed from dust, symbolizing that God, who created life, now reverts it to a state of chaos as a judgment. The gnats infesting all humans and animals signify an all-encompassing effect that does not discriminate, reinforcing God’s supreme authority over all creation.

“But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not.” (Exodus 8:18)

The failure of the Egyptian magicians to replicate this plague marks a turning point. Here, they acknowledge, “This is the finger of God.” (Exodus 8:19), highlighting their recognition of a power beyond their own and distinct from any earthly magic or ability. This acknowledgment, albeit from pagan priests, underscores the undeniable presence and authority of the divine intervention.

The Plague of Flies

Verses 20-32 describe the fourth plague – a swarm of flies.

“But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land.” (Exodus 8:22)

The separation between the Egyptians and the Israelites during the plague of flies introduces another key theological and narrative element: divine protection and distinction. By shielding the Israelites, God demonstrates His covenant faithfulness and sets His people apart as recipients of mercy amidst judgment, underscoring His relational commitment to them.

“Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.’” (Exodus 8:25)

Pharaoh’s offer to allow sacrifices within Egypt signifies a negotiating tact, a half-measure that falls short of complete freedom for the Israelites. Moses’ insistence on a three-day journey into the wilderness highlights the necessity of complete obedience to God’s command without compromise.

“But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also and would not let the people go.” (Exodus 8:32)

Pharaoh’s pattern of relenting under pressure only to harden his heart again demonstrates his persistent resistance against divine authority, setting the stage for further plagues. This vacillation exemplifies the tension between human pride and divine purpose, a central theme in Exodus.

Theological and Symbolic Interpretations

Exodus 8 offers rich symbolic and theological material.

  • Divine Sovereignty: The plagues reflect God’s control over creation and His power to disrupt natural and social orders to achieve His purposes.
  • Judgment and Mercy: The juxtaposition of plagues against Egyptians and protection for Israelites highlights themes of divine justice and mercy.
  • Human Obstinacy: Pharaoh’s hardened heart serves as a symbol of humanity’s resistance to divine will, prompting reflection on the consequences of pride and disobedience.
  • Intercession: Moses’ role as intercessor, pleading for relief, prefigures Christ’s mediatory role, providing a typological connection central to Christian theology.
  • Cosmic Battle: The plagues represent a cosmic struggle between God and the false deities of Egypt, underscoring God’s supremacy.

Conclusion

Exodus Chapter 8 not only advances the narrative of Israel’s deliverance but also encapsulates profound theological messages about divine power, human resistance, and the dynamics of judgment and mercy. The plagues serve both as historical events and as symbols rich with meaning, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of divine justice, human freedom, and the ultimate triumph of God’s will. The chapter’s enduring relevance lies in its testament to the enduring struggle between divine purpose and human pride, a struggle that finds resolution in the unfolding biblical narrative.