A Study of Exodus 8..Page 1 of 6 Moses Exodus 8 Plagues of Frogs, Gnats, & Flies I. Additional Scriptures 1. Exodus 12:12 against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. A Primer on Egyptian Gods To understand the finality of the defeat upon the gods of the Egyptians, we must learn a little of their gods and their significance. Among the gods the Egyptians revered we find: Signifying the goddess of eternal life and The Cobra immortality. Each Pharaoh had a representation of the cobra goddess on his forehead. The god of the Nile. The Nile was the lifeblood Hapi for Egypt and thus this was one of the most important gods to all the Egyptians. A water goddess who often took the form of a frog. The frog goddess was believed Heket responsible for the birth of Egyptian rulers. Their chief god, the god of the sun. They believed that each night he would go and fight Ra darkness, storms, mist, and night, and only when he defeated them could he rise the next morning. Apis The sacred bull of Memphis. A cow-headed goddess which was associated Hathor with the sky and its control. Originally a wise man, an architect and chief Imhotep ritualist. After his death he was deified as the god of medicine. The god of the atmosphere. Shu These are the major gods of the Egyptians revered at the time of Moses and the Exodus. As one reads these brief descriptions, it is easy to contemplate the effect the plagues would have upon the religion and trust of the Egyptians. *Content of this table taken from Jack H. Williams, Jehovah and the Gods of Egypt, in Studies in Exodus, edited by James Meadows (the 23 rd Annual Lectureship of the East Tennessee School of Preaching, Knoxville, TN). 2. Psalm 105:23-38 3. 8:13 Deut 34:10-12 4. 8:16 LICE-- The word kinnim is rendered by the LXX σκιφες, σκιπες, or σκνηφες, and by the Vulgate sciniphes, Gnats; and Mr. Harmer supposes he has found out the true meaning in the word tarrentes, a species of worm. Bochart, however, seems to have proved that lice, and not gnats, are meant; because: 1. They sprang from the dust, and not from the waters; 2. They were on both man and beast, which cannot be said of gnats; 3. Their name is derived from koon, to make firm, fix, establish, which cannot agree with gnats, flies, etc., which are ever changing place, and almost constantly on the wing; 4. The term kinnah is used by the Talmudists to express the louse. [TSK]. 5. 8:18 The magicians COULD NOT, cf., Gen 41:8; Isa 47:12-13; Dan 2:10; 4:7-8. 6. 8:26 ABOMINATION-- i.e. The animals which they worshipped [TSK].
A Study of Exodus 8..Page 2 of 6 It would be a good suggestion to highlight or underline in your Bible or in some way make to stand out each of the plagues as we come to them, perhaps even numbering them in the margin. For example, in the previous chapter mark the word BLOOD in verse 17. In this chapter mark the word FROG in verse 2; the word LICE in verse 16; the words SWARM OF FLIES in verse 21. In chapter 9 mark the word MURRAIN in verse 3; the word BOIL in verse 9; the word HAIL in verse 17. In chapter 10 mark LOCUSTS in verse 12; the word DARKNESS in verse 21. In chapter 11mark the word FIRSTBORN in verse 5. II. III. Chronology. BIBLE PERIOD: Egyptian Bondage. Summary. Chapter seven gives the beginning of the plagues and they are continued in this chapter. Second of the plagues was that the Lord would smite all thy borders with frogs (v. 2). Frogs would be everywhere, including in the cooking areas of their homes. Aaron stretched out his rod over the waters of Egypt and frogs came up and covered the land. The magicians likewise, by their enchantments, brought up frogs. Pharaoh asks Moses and Aaron to entreat the Lord to take away the frogs and he would let the people go and do sacrifice. The frogs were taken away, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and did not let the people go. The third of the plagues was smiting dust and turning it into lice. The lice tormented man and beast. The magicians were NOT able to produce lice and told Pharaoh that this is the finger of God, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and did not listen to them. The fourth plague was producing swarms of flies. The land of Goshen, where God s people dwelt, did not have this problem because the Lord severed it from the plague. As a result of this plague, Pharaoh began his first attempt to get Moses to compromise. He agreed to allow the children of Israel to offer up sacrifice to the Lord in the land of Egypt. Moses was not willing to compromise. His second compromise was offered in verse 28 they could go into the wilderness only ye shall not go very far away. However, after the swarms of flies were removed, Pharaoh hardened his heart again and would not let the people go. IV. Outline. 1. The plague of frogs, Pharaoh s reaction, Pharaoh hardens his heart (Ex 8:1-15). 2. The plague of lice, Pharaoh s reaction, Pharaoh hardens his heart (Ex 8:16-19). 3. The plague of swarms of flies (Ex 8:20-24). 4. Pharaoh tempts Moses to compromise (Ex 8:25-27). 5. Pharaoh tries a second compromise on Moses (Ex 8:28-32). V. Questions. True or False 01. In this chapter Pharaoh says the children of Israel may go sacrifice in the wilderness wherever they please. 02. The frogs would even be found in the beds in Egypt. 03. Flies were a worrisome pestilence to the children of Israel also. 04. The magicians were not able to produce frogs. 05. The magicians produced lice from the dust.
A Study of Exodus 8..Page 3 of 6 Who Am I? Who Said It? Who Did It? 06. Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 07. Found their way into the ovens of the Egyptians. 08. This is the finger of God. 09. that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God. 10. Stretched out his hand with his rod and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast. Fill in the Blanks 11. We will go days journey into the wilderness, and to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. 12. God said he would in that day the land of Goshen. 13. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the of I will execute : I am the LORD (Ex : ). 14 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was that could them unto Pharaoh ( 41:8). 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was, he his Each Question is worth 7 Points My Score is: Answers will be found on next week s handout ANSWERS to Exodus 6-7 Questions [01 True, Ex 7:25; 02 True, Ex 6:6; 03 False, Ex 7:7; 04 True, Ex 7:1; 05 True, Ex 6:20; 06 b, Ex 6:8; 07 a, Ex 7:21; 08 c, Ex 6:1; 09 a, Ex 7:9; 10 d, Ex 6:16; 11 Amram, Ex 6:20; 12 stank, Ex 7:21; 13 multiply, Ex 7:3; 14 Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar, Ex 6:23; 15 swallowed, up, Ex 7:12.] VI. Lessons & Applications. 1. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs (Ex 8:2-4). Before producing the plague of frogs, the Lord gave a very specific and detailed warning about what the consequence would be of not setting the people free. When Aaron s rod was held over the river there came the exact fulfillment of that of which the Lord had warned Pharaoh. This sign should have moved Pharaoh to yield to the demands of the Lord, but for his stubborn and hardened heart. Here is one more demonstration that the Lord s judgments are sure and man is foolish to question them. 2. when shall I intreat for thee And the Lord did according to the word of Moses (Ex 8:9-13). Moses gives Pharaoh every opportunity to glory over me by making the removal of the plague very specific (i.e., making it more difficult). Moses knows the power of God and wants to make a powerful demonstration to the king so that he will release his brethren. He lets Pharaoh tell when the frogs should be removed. Pharaoh says, tomorrow. This powerful demonstration was designed to show, that there is none like unto the Lord our God (v. 10). What a position Moses is in here! He has the power of Almighty God supporting him in his challenges to the powerful Pharaoh. 3. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart (Ex 8:15). We sometimes come across people who are in-and-out; hot-and-cold as far as their
A Study of Exodus 8..Page 4 of 6 faithfulness to the Lord. In times of distress and need, perhaps they will see the importance of being faithful to the Lord, but when all is well, they forget about anything but their own selfish desires and interests. This type of behavior is what we see in Pharaoh during this time of contest and demonstration of the power of Jehovah God. A strong faith is the faith that is steadfast and always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). Many were the times in the later history of the Israelites that they fit the pattern of Pharaoh during the plagues. In the time of Amos, for example, all was well as far as physical needs were concerned in Israel, but there was a great need for repentance in the spiritual realm. However, when God s prophet Amos went up to Bethel to deliver the message of repentance, they told him to go back where he came from if he wanted to do that kind of preaching (Amos 7:12-13). 4. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, BUT THEY COULD NOT (Ex 8:18). It could not have gone on for long that the magicians would be able to produce fake miracles. They certainly were no match for the power of God. The amazing thing is the advice that these magicians (usually highly respected in ancient governments) gave to Pharaoh. They concluded that this was no trickery but that indeed this must be the finger of God. Yet even with this advice, Pharaoh was unwilling to yield. 5. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there (Ex 8:22). Here is an even more powerful demonstration of God s power. Though there would be swarms of flies in the rest of Egypt to torment the Egyptians, God s people would not be bothered by such in the land of Goshen. The SEVERING of God s people from all others is something that has been a feature of the will of God since that time. The church (εκλησια) is those who have been CALLED OUT from the world. Here, the children of Israel, descendants of Abraham were separated from the Egyptians. Before going into the promised land, the children of Israel were warned about being separate from the heathen nations surrounding them. There was a purpose in this and that was connected with the promise to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) that though his seed all nations would be blessed. The Messiah was to come through this nation. Today, we are to remain separate from the world because the love of the world causes separation from God (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor 6:14 7:1). 6. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land (Ex 8:25). Here is the first of a series of FOUR attempts Pharaoh makes at getting Moses to compromise his position (cf., 8:28; 10:11; 10:24). He said, worship God here in Egypt; then he said go to the wilderness, but don t go far; then he said let just the men go, leaving the women and children; then he said go, but leave the flocks and herds behind. Of course, Moses was the one with all of the negotiating power and he had not the slightest inclination to change the instructions he had received of the Lord. He was not willing to compromise! So many times Satan is successful in getting Christians to make little compromises here and there. We ought to realize that compromise is out of the question when it involves the word of God. We cannot compromise that which has been revealed by inspiration! 7. let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord (Ex 8:29). A good description of what Pharaoh was doing in all of these confrontations is that he was DEALING DECEITFULLY. Today, our enemy the devil, goes about seeking whom he may devour and we are warned about his WILES (1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:11). Let us be strong to recognize the deceptiveness of sin and prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle in which we must engage.
A Study of Exodus 8..Page 5 of 6 VII. Seek-A-Word Puzzle. Q A Z X S W E D C V F R T O T G B N H Y U J M M H N B G T R F V G E D C V B N H Y U J I E W S X C V Z E R F V B G T Y N C E D D C V F R T G L B G R I E V O U S O B V S C X Z W S P C V R T G B N H Y U R M N T B V T R O F L I E S E W F E V B R T G B V F R E E D C X W M E D C A V F U R T Y U J P M N B G G T R R F V R C D P E R V B Y T G N H Y U J A M K I T V B T C X Z M E G R F V C D E W R F V H B G E T R T E W O Q A Z X S W S E D C V F R D G E B G T S E V E R Y H N M J U I K M R L E D C W H E D C V F R H T G B N H Y Y T R E W D E V B G T Y H N O M J U I K T G B V F R N E D C W S X Z A U Q W S X R F T G N Y H N M J U I K M J U S R F V E D C V F R T G B N H Y U J M N T E E N W S X W O N K C V D E R F V B G T Y S G B N V E D G F H N O I S I V I D E D A I X C V M N B V C X Z K J H G F D S A T S [The highlighted words can be found above. They may be backwards, diagonal, upside down, etc. See if you can find them all. The more you use the words of the Bible, the greater blessed you will be! You might be surprised at how much this little exercise will help you retain important truths. THANK YOU for the good effort you are putting forth in Bible study. DRL] Exodus 8:21-24 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. 22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. 24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.
A Study of Exodus 8..Page 6 of 6 VIII. Crossword Puzzle. Exodus 8 (KJV) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ACROSS 03. The magician s said: This is the of God. 04. Moses said: let not Pharaoh deal. 06. God said He would the land of Goshen. 09. Describes the swarm of flies. 11. Moses wanted to go three days into the wilderness. 13. They were upon man, and upon beast. 14. Where God s people dwelt. DOWN 01. Pharaoh would let Israel go there, but not far. 02. Egyptians houses would be of swarms of flies. 05. Land of Egypt was by the swarm of flies. 07. The Lord told Moses to rise up. 08. When Pharaoh saw from the frogs, he hardened his heart. 10. Could not bring forth lice. 12. Found 11 times in the plural in this chapter.