#17 – Exodus 8:1-15
“No G-d Like Our G-d”
After a week to think things over, Pharaoh has another chance to listen to the L-RD’s command. Will anything be different this time?
Plague #2: Frogs
The same L-RD chooses the same emissary, Moses, to deliver the same message to the same Pharaoh. “Let My people go that they may serve/worship Me.” (Exodus 8:1.)
As before, the command is accompanied by the threat of judgment – not blood this time, but frogs.
But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite your whole territory with frogs. The Nile will swarm with frogs, which will come up and go into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed, and into the houses of your servants and on your people, and into your ovens and into your kneading bowls. So the frogs will come up on you and your people and all your servants.”
(Exodus 8:2-4 NASB)
When warning of the first plague, G-d gave a general description (the Nile will become blood and fish will die). He provides much greater detail when depicting the second: frogs in your bed, frogs in your oven, frogs in your dishes. One need not have an overly vivid imagination to get a shiver down the spine.
At Moses’ command, Aaron stretches out the staff over Egypt’s water sources. The rivers, streams and pools which a week earlier had been filled with blood now teem with frogs. (Exodus 8:5-6 NASB.)
As with the previous signs the magicians mimicked, so here. More frogs are made to appear. (Exodus 8:8 NASB)[1]
A breakthrough!
And Pharaoh? What’s this? He summons Moses and Aaron back to the court. “Entreat the L-RD that He remove the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the L-RD.” (Exodus 8:8 NASB)
Moses even offers the king the honor of choosing the date when he would like the frogs to return to the Nile. (Exodus 8:9 NASB)
When Pharaoh chooses “tomorrow,” Moses lets him know why he had been given the choice. “May it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the L-RD our G-d.” (Exodus 8:10-11 NASB.)
Here Moses demonstrates his understanding of G-d’s purpose for these demonstrations of power. The G-d of Israel is qualitatively different from the array of deities the Egyptians worshiped and Pharaoh has a front row seat to see the mighty signs, wonders, and judgments of the L-RD.
Interceding for Egypt
Having left Pharaoh’s presence, Moses “cried to the L-RD concerning the frogs which He had inflicted upon Pharaoh.” (Exodus 8:12.) Why did he do this?
Of note, Pharaoh had requested Moses to “entreat the L-RD that He may remove the frogs . . . .” (Exodus 8:8.)
Moses then asked Pharaoh, “When shall I entreat for you and your servants and your people that the frogs be destroyed . . . ?” (Exodus 8:9 NASB.) In encouraging the ruler of Egypt to “pick a date,” Moses made it clear Whose power was at work. He was willing to seek G-d’s favor on behalf of the Egyptians – and did so.
“The L-RD did according to the word of Moses,[2] and the frogs died out of the houses, the courts, and the fields. So they piled them in heaps, and the land became foul.” (Exodus 8:13-14.)
A change of heart?
Are we surprised to learn, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the L-RD had said.” (Exodus 8:15.)
The king is not quoted saying, “I’ve changed my mind.” But for the first time the statement is made “he hardened his heart.”[3]
Fear factor/Misery Index
We see a “chink in Pharaoh’s armor” as he momentarily relents[4] regarding releasing Israel for a wilderness worship service. Though the text provides no feedback from the Egyptian people, the description of the land being fouled by piles of decomposing frogs is enough to make one queasy. And this within a week of their waters being transformed into blood.
Where is G-d?
“As the L-RD had said” at the close of Plague #2 reminds us that from Heaven’s perspective, everything is quite under control. That G-d was pleased to answer Moses’ plea when G-d’s glory was the prophet’s highest goal should not be lost on us. Within
the limitations of His holy character, there is no end to which G-d will not go for the glory of His own name.
[1] It’s not a stretch to imagine those living in Egypt would have been much happier had the sorcerers made the frogs disappear – a power they evidently did not possess.
[2] We’ve seen a couple of times already that Moses and Aaron “did just as the L-RD commanded them.” Here we find the L-RD doing “according to the word of Moses.”
[3] G-d had said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart, and twice we’ve seen the passive description: “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.” Now we’ve come full circle and see clearly that Pharaoh is acting as a “free moral agent.” He changed his mind because he hardened his heart.
[4] One wonders if this could have been due more to the wailing of Mrs. Pharaoh reacting to a bedroom and kitchen full of slimy frogs than fear of the Almighty.
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