Exodus - Part 12 - Exodus 8:20-9:35

We pick up right where we left off with the plagues. Next is the plague of flies. God tells Moses to confront Pharaoh and tell him again to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh refuses so God sends flies so dense that they cover everything. But, this time God doesn’t send the plague on Goshen where his people are living. Pharaoh once again asks for relief, promising to let the people go, but once there is relief he reneges.

Here, God was attacking the power of the Egyptian god Khepri who had the head of a beetle and was believed to role the sun across the sky. There was also Uatchit who had the head of a fly and symbolized protection, persistence and resilience. This is the first plague that didn’t affect the Israelites. Perhaps God needed to send a strong message to His people that He did exist and he would fulfill His promise to them.

Next, God sends a plague on the livestock. God again makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. All the livestock of the Egyptians die, but none that belong to the Israelites die. Pharaoh is still unyielding so God send the next plague, boils. God had Moses and Aaron take handfuls of soot and toss it in the air in front of Pharaoh. This action unleashed boils on every man and animal. Yet Pharaoh still would not yield.

So next God sends Moses to warn Pharaoh that God is sending a plague of hail if he does not let the people go. By now, God could have wiped Egypt off the map, but God makes it clear that He is using Pharaoh’s stubbornness to display His power so His name might be proclaimed throughout the earth. Moses tells Pharaoh to give an order that everyone should bring all their livestock and all their family indoors. Some of Pharaoh’s officials believed and did so, but others ignored the warning. It was the worst storm in Egypt’s history with hail and lightning. The hail killed animals and people that were left outdoors and ruined the crops that were in season. Pharaoh seems to give in and asks Moses to pray to God to make the hail stop. But again, once there was relief Pharaoh went back on his word.