Exodus 8:8-19 Getting Rid of Frogs And Gnats

The frogs made life unbearable for the Egyptians.  "Pharaoh was so anxious to be rid of them that he offered to let the Jewish people go on their worship trip if Moses and Aaron complied with his request."  They told him to name the time.  It seems crazy that he didn't say, "Right now!"  My commentary said he may have been hoping for failure to deliver on Moses' part, or perhaps he was gambling that the frogs  might leave on their own and he wouldn't have to keep his end of the bargain, which he didn't anyway.

God was being merciful to the Egyptians by removing the frogs, but Pharaoh only hardened his heart more.  "Neither God's mercy nor God's power caused him to repent and obey."

God told Moses the dust would turn into gnats, and He gave no warning to Pharaoh.  My commentary mentioned a subtle undertone of this plague.  The Egyptians were fanatical about cleanliness, even shaving their bodies to be acceptable to their gods.  Unclean gnats invading their bodies made life miserable for them, and their gods could do nothing to deliver them!

God wasn't finished yet.  He still had 7 more plagues to go!

Father, none of us have ever witnessed anything like the plagues we've read about so far, and I dare say there are many Americans today who would be just as stubborn as Pharaoh, were it to happen to us.  Please soften our hearts and allow us to not be deceived as a nation by Satan.  Show Yourself and Your power to us to draw our nation to You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford