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Exodus 8:16 – 9:35 Will Pharaoh ever Capitulate?

by fol CHURCH on April 17, 2019

There is no softening in Pharaoh’s attitude towards the Israelites, and so God sends the Plague of Gnats. These appeared as if they came from dust on the ground!  What a horrible experience for the animals as well as all the humans.  We should note that on this occasion Pharaoh’s magicians could not replicate this plague and said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God!”  Even in the face of this evidence, Pharaoh refused Moses and Aaron’s request.  There is a little more to be considered here, as apparently Set was the Egyptian god of the desert, and the message to Pharaoh and his magicians was that Jehovah was so powerful that He could give life to insignificant dust, and then use that life to punish those who worshipped Set

 

Moses warns Pharaoh about the flies which would swarm through Egypt, incredibly leaving God’s people in Goshen untouched!  Pharaoh suggests that the Israelites could worship their God in Egypt, but Moses could not agree to that suggestion thinking that their sacrifices would be “detestable” to the Egyptians.  Pharaoh appears to be losing his nerve, and his stubborn attitude weakened as he said he would allow the Israelites to go into the desert but, “not very far”!  Moses knew all along that Pharaoh would still not accept the sovereignty of God and let the Israelites go.  Interestingly he asked Moses to pray for him, which he did, the flies disappeared but unsurprisingly Pharaoh later changed his mind yet again!  The plague on the livestock must have staggered the population as all the Egyptian animals died, but none of the Israelites’ animals suffered the same consequence.    Surely it was plain for all to recognise the almighty power of God Himself?

 

Similarly the plague of boils affecting humans and animals wreaked havoc only on the Egyptians.  What a terrible experience for a people who were obsessed with personal cleanliness!  However, Pharaoh still refused Moses’ request for the Israelites to leave.  God directed Moses to warn Pharaoh that He would send the worst hailstorm ever known on Egypt, Goshen being the only part it would not affect!  The terror of the storm forces Pharaoh to change his mind and he gave in - or did He?  Sadly he did not and he and his officials “hardened their hearts” yet again with the Israelites remaining in Goshen!  Moses knew that this would be the outcome!

 

 

 

 

 

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Almighty God, As I read about your awesome power I realise that I must be both obedient and available to the tasks you give to me.  Please bless me with your guidance and the ability to walk closer to you at all times.  For the glory of Jesus, Amen.

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