The Purpose of Deliverance
And the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. (Exodus 8:1)
There is a purpose to your deliverance and healing. It is to serve the Lord
But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. (Exodus 8:2)
Here, God warns Pharaoh through Moses, indicating the conditional nature of the plagues. The refusal to liberate the Israelites triggers divine retribution. The specificity of "frogs" as a plague is unique and shows the directness of God's interventions. It shows that resistance to God can bring consequences, as in Romans 1:18, "the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness."
The plague of frogs can be seen as a direct challenge to the Egyptian god Heket, who was depicted as a frog and associated with fertility and water. By sending a plague of frogs, God was demonstrating His superiority over the Egyptian deities.
So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. (Exodus 8:3)
The Nile River, a source of life for Egypt, becomes a source of affliction, emphasising a reversal of the natural order. This invasion into personal and sacred spaces (bedrooms, ovens, kneading bowls) highlights the totality of God's dominion over both the natural world and human realms. The progression from the river to the most intimate spaces of Egyptian life underscores the inescapability of God's reach. As Jeremiah 23:24 declares of God's view - "Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?... Do I not fill heaven and earth?"
The detailed description of the frogs invading all areas of life may symbolise the pervasive nature of sin and the extent of divine judgment necessary to bring about repentance.
And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants. (Exodus 8:4)
The plague is indiscriminate, affecting all levels of Egyptian society, from Pharaoh to his servants. This universality shows God's judgment is not just on Pharaoh but on the entire system that oppressed the Israelites.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’(Exodus 8:5)
This verse emphasises the collaborative roles of Moses and Aaron in executing God's will, with Aaron often acting at Moses' directive to perform signs. The use of the rod symbolises divine authority and power; it's the same rod that turned into a serpent before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10). The command to stretch the rod over waters signifies God's dominion over all creation, challenging the Egyptian reverence for the Nile and their water deities.
The specific mention of "streams, rivers, and ponds" highlights the comprehensive nature of this act, ensuring that frogs would emerge from every possible water source, leaving no part of Egypt untouched.
So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:6)
Aaron's obedience to God's command through Moses and the immediate result of his action was that the frogs came up. What God decrees occurs; His word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
The phrase "covered the land of Egypt" suggests an overwhelming invasion that disrupts daily life, echoing the totalising nature of divine judgment.
Psalm 105:30 says. “Their land swarmed with frogs, Even in the chambers of their kings." This verse reiterates the extent of the plague, emphasising its impact even in the most protected and prestigious areas, symbolising God's power over all social hierarchies.
Witches Wizards
And the magicians did so with their enchantments and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:7)
Interesting to note that the magicians also brought frogs but they could do nothing to stop the frogs from coming on the land.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.” (Exodus 8:8)
Pharaoh's request marks a temporary acknowledgement of God's power. His willingness to negotiate with Moses and Aaron reflects the severe discomfort and chaos caused by the plague. This action of Pharaoh illustrates a recurring pattern in the book of Exodus: Pharaoh's hardness of heart fluctuates between concessions under pressure and subsequent retractions of his promises.
Pests Intercession
When I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses,
that they may remain in the river only (Exodus 8:9)
When you intercede, the lord will even deliver you from pests such as Bugs, mosquitoes, etc.
So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. (Exodus 8:10)
Moses' response, "Tomorrow," allows for a clear demonstration of God's power to be manifested at a specific time, thereby eliminating any doubt of its divine origin. As Isaiah 46:10 declares of God, "I make known the end from the beginning." Moses intends for Pharaoh to recognise the uniqueness and supremacy of the Lord through this act.
And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.” (Exodus 8:11)
This verse signifies the reversal of the plague, with the frogs retreating back to their natural habitat, the river. This not only would restore normalcy but also serve as a sign of God's control over the natural world and His ability to both inflict and relieve suffering.
Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. (Exodus 8:12)
Moses' prayer to God highlights his role as an intercessor between God and Pharaoh. His action also underscores the relationship of obedience and communication between Moses and God, facilitating the deliverance and signs that follow.
The Cost of Deliverance
So the Lord did according to the word of Moses.
And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. (Exodus 8:13)
Deliverance will always cost you something. In this case the land stank. The people were delivered from the plague of the frogs but they had to endure the stench.
14They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said. (Exodus 8:14-15)
The removal of the frogs leaves a tangible reminder of the plague through the stench, symbolising the consequences of sin and disobedience. Despite witnessing a miraculous intervention, Pharaoh's heart was hardened by the "goodness and mercy of God" because mercy ignored leads to a "further hardening in sin." This behaviour fulfils God's earlier predictions about Pharaoh's reactions (Exodus 7:3). As stated in Isaiah 48:3, "I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them, and I made them known."
The Finger of God
So the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’” And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said. (Exodus 8:16-19)
Very interesting that the magicians called it the ‘finger of God’ I am glad they did not call it the hand of God or the arm of God. The finger of God could stop all the magic enchantments of Egypt. Just imagine when the hand of God is upon us. So then just imagine what can be accomplished through you and me?
Exodus 8:16-19 The Finger of God
This time, Jannes and Jambres were not able to duplicate God's miracle. They told Pharaoh, "this is the finger of God." And we don't hear them speak or resist again. The finger of God silencing His enemies.
There is another instance where the finger of God silenced His enemies:
John 8:3-11 And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him {be the} first to throw a stone at her." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, they {began} to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. And straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" And she said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more."
The finger of God silences the whole world. In Exodus 31, we'll read that God...
Exodus 31:18 ...gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
The 10 Commandments were written by the finger of God. And they have silenced all who are in enmity with God.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God;
And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. (Exodus 8:20)
Early Morning:
Symbolises urgency and determination. In the biblical context, acting early in the morning often signifies an important action or message (e.g., Abraham rising early in Genesis 22:3 to obey God's command).
Before Pharaoh:
Indicates a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority, asserting God's command over the king's resistance.
21Or else, if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. 23I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” (Exodus 8:21-23)
This demonstrates God's protective grace over His people, making a clear distinction between Egyptians and Israelites, reinforcing the concept of being chosen and protected (Exodus 8:22).
This separation prefigures the concept of holiness and being set apart found throughout the Bible (Leviticus 20:26).
Tomorrow, this sign shall be: Shows God's foreknowledge and planned execution of events, affirming His sovereignty and the certainty of His promises (Isaiah 46:10).
Compromise
Exodus 8:24-27 …Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.” 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? We must take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, as he commands us.”
Now after a lot more pressure from the Lord, including some nasty use of gnats and flies, Pharaoh is ready for a compromise! ‘Ok’, Pharaoh says, ‘you can go have your sacrifice, but it has got to be within the land.’ Maybe Pharaoh is having a nice moment? He has compromised his stand alright but it still has a subtle twist.
What is it that we learn about the character of satan from this verse, I hear you say… Well, I’m glad you asked. What we learn is that if he cannot stop someone from being a Christian then the next plan is to make them a worldly one! This is what he meant by ‘sacrificing within the land.’ Basically, have your religion if you want, but have it within Egypt… have it still within his worldly system. So much of what passes itself off as ‘Christianity’ today falls into this category.
So many people love to have some form of godliness or belief without allowing it to impact or change their life at all. People that look particularly shiny and clean on Sundays but are still within the realms of Egypt for the remainder of the week! This is what Pharaoh was saying here – ‘have a little bit of religion if you like, but it’s going to be within Egypt!’ Moses did well in telling Pharaoh to take a running jump because…’that would not be right!’
Compromise - Shallow Christianity
So Pharaoh said,“I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me.” (Exodus 8:28)
This sounds very spiritual and as if the Pharaoh is finally relenting. Have you heard people says, “You can serve the Lord, you can pray etc but don’t go deep.” This is the same spirit that spoke through the Pharaoh.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 39
- Chapter 40