The Exodus Journey: Day 8

Read Chapter 8

Although we didn’t discuss it, we saw Moses and Aaron’s first encounter with Pharaoh in chapter 7. It didn’t go well… The thing that God told Moses to tell Aaron to do (cast the staff down to become a serpent) was countered by Pharaoh’s magicians. The difference, however, was that Aaron’s staff/serpent ate the staffs/serpents of the sorcerers. But, as we saw, Pharaoh was not impressed, and his heart was hardened.

After that, the first of 10 plagues was inflicted upon the Egyptians – turning the Nile into blood, but once again, the magicians did the same. Although the plague lasted a whole week, Pharaoh, was unconcerned (7:23; 25).

Coming to chapter 8, we immediately read of the next plague – frogs! God warned that unless Pharaoh let the Israelites go, there would be frogs everywhere! They would be in the house and in the bedrooms and on the beds. They would be in the houses of the servants, and on the people. They would even be in the ovens and in the kneading bowls. And sure enough, when Aaron stretched out the staff, frogs came out of the streams, the rivers, and the pools – but (you guessed it) the magicians did the same thing! (Ha! Like they needed more frogs!) However, Pharaoh seemed to relent and told Moses and Aaron to ask God to make them go away.

Then Moses said to Pharaoh, (notice, Moses is already speaking to Pharaoh himself) “So you’ll know that God is in control, I’ll let you tell me when to make the plague stop.” Pharaoh chose the next day. (I don’t know why in the world he would want to wait one more minute – but he did.) So, the frogs died, and a great stench filled the land.

And immediately, Pharaoh reneged (verse 15). So, now comes the next plague – lice, or some translations say “gnats”. At any rate – they were pests! But, this time the magicians couldn’t replicate the plague (I’m betting the people were thinking, “Thank goodness!”)

The scenario repeats and the next plague (verse 21) ensues – flies! But this time we’re told (verse 22) that this plague will not affect the Israelites out in Goshen. Wait! What? The plagues were affecting the Israelites all along? Yes – and remember this: when you live in a land of sin – the results of sin affect you, too…

Did you ever wonder why God chose these particular plagues? There is a specific reason for each of the plagues. The Egyptians worshiped many gods. Some commentaries list up to fifteen gods – and each one of these plagues denies the power of one or more of these gods. God was saying, “I am Elohiym – the Supreme God of all Creation. No so-called ‘god’ is greater than I AM!”

Why were the Israelites affected by the plagues? Not only were they affected by the sin surrounding them – they were participating in the sins as well. Remember, they had been in Egypt for 400 years. The worship of God had become diluted with the gods of their neighbors. How do we know this? Read Joshua 24, but especially verses 14-15. “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Apparently, when the Israelites left Egypt, they took some of the Egyptian gods with them – so they have a dilemma… serve the gods of their fathers / serve the gods of their new neighbors / or serve God…

Which will you do – hold to the priorities of your ancestors / hold to the priorities of your peers / or cling to the priorities of God? Choose this day whom you will serve…

 

Prayer:

Merciful God, protect us from the consequences of the sin that surrounds us. We cry with Isaiah, we have unclean lips and we dwell in the midst of an unclean people. Our nation’s choices – indeed – our own choices, have not always been what they should be. Forgive us we pray and direct us to stand strong and to cling to Your priorities – even when all others around us are hardening their hearts to Your Word.

Strengthen us we pray – in Jesus’ Name – Amen.