#18 – Exodus 8:16-32
Swarming Insects, Bargaining Pharaoh
Pharaoh’s heart was hardened after Plague #1 (water to blood). He hardened his heart after Plague #2 (frogs everywhere). What’s next?
Plague #3: “Itching to scratch”
G-d now instructs Moses to have Aaron strike the dust on the ground with the staff. What results is an annoying swarm of insects.[1] “All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.” People and animals alike were afflicted. (Exodus 8:16-17 NASB).
The finger of G-d
Once again the sorcerers seek to employ their magic arts to replicate the wonder. This time they fail. No turning dust into gnats – and certainly no getting rid of them from man nor beast.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what the Egyptian magicians were thinking when they duplicated the early signs Aaron had performed (even though their serpent-staffs were eaten by his)? But they have reached the limitations of their secret arts. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of G-d.” (Exodus 8:19a NASB)
Sadly, we read again, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the L-RD had said. (Exodus 8:19b. NASB)
Plague #4: flies
As with the first plague, G-d instructs Moses to meet Pharaoh early in the morning on his bathing run to the Nile. The “fourth verse is the same as the first”: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” (Exodus 8:20. NASB)
The consequences for disobedience are spelled out: If you don’t send forth My people, I will send forth[2] swarming (and likely, biting) flies. And as with the second plague of frogs, G-d informs Pharaoh that he, his servants, his people and their houses – and even the ground – will suffer from this insect invasion.
A divine distinction
Now a new wrinkle is added, however.
“But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the L-RD, am in the midst of the land. I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.” (Exodus 8:22-23 NASB)
The Hebrews living in Goshen have not been spared the ills of the first three plagues. That is about to change; the L-RD will not send the flies among His people. And the purpose for doing so is clear: that Pharaoh will recognize that the L-RD is present in their midst.
Pharaoh has but one day to obey. He does not, so the flies descend – on his house and on the Egyptian people. And lest we have the impression this is simply an annoyance, we are told “the land was laid waste because of the swarms of flies in all the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 8:24 NASB)
“Let’s make a deal”
The ruler of Egypt has had enough.
Well, almost. The initial request was for a three-day journey into the wilderness for a worship service. (Exodus 5:1-3 NASB.) That’s not going to happen anytime soon, according to Pharaoh’s thinking. But he does make an offer. “Go, sacrifice to your G-d within the land.” (Exodus 8:25 NASB)
Moses explains why this is not a great idea, citing not wanting to offend the Egyptians who would observe and object to the Hebrews’ sacrifices. And besides, G-d commanded them to journey three days into the desert. (Exodus 8:26-27 NASB)
Pharaoh counters with an okay to go to the wilderness to sacrifice, but “don’t go very far.” And adds, “Make supplication for me.” (Exodus 8:28 NASB)
Moses agrees to pray for the flies to disappear the next day. He concludes with a warning. “Only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the L-RD.” (Exodus 8:28-2 NASB)
No surprise ending here
Moses prays. G-d answers, “doing as Moses asked.” The swarms of insects are gone; “not one remained.” (Exodus 8:30-31 NASB)
But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. (Exodus 8:32 NASB)
Fear factor/Misery Index
Flies can be pesky, buzzing about one’s face. Flies can be nasty, spreading disease. Biting flies can inflict real pain. But as bad as any negative experience you or I have had with swarming insects, Plague #4 tops it by far.
Where is G-d?
For the first time we see the light dawning among the Egyptians. “This is the finger of G-d” is the testimony of Pharaoh’s “power brokers” who recognize that something beyond magic or sorcery is at work here.
And the Hebrews, whose suffering has continued, are now catching a break. The G-d of Israel is distinguishing His people from the Egyptians.
The Creator’s “that you may know that I am the L-RD” agenda is beginning to have an effect!
[1] These little critters, kinim in Hebrew, are variously identified as lice, sand flies, mosquitos, or more frequently, gnats. Regardless, they’d be unwelcome in one’s home, clothing, hair, etc.
[2] The same Hebrew verb for “send/send out” is used for both actions.
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