Exodus 8 Round Three
Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh for Round Three of God’s lessons for him. “Let My people go! Hop to it!!”
Egypt has just had a week of blood in the place of their rivers. Even their water jars liquid was turned to blood. Now God tells Moses to go back to Pharaoh with a new ultimatum. Turn my people lose or have your life over run by frogs.
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Moses is sitting under his favorite tree in the evening. He is thanking the Lord for fresh water again. He didn’t enjoy the Lord’s judgement any better than the Egyptians, or any other Hebrew, but he understood the purpose behind it. He knew the Lord was trying to get Pharaoh’s attention.
“Moses.”
“Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.”
“It is time for you to go back to Pharaoh and tell him to let My people go.”
“And what if he doesn’t?”
“Oh, he won’t. But you have to tell him to anyway. You are to say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants”’ (verses 1a-4).”
Moses was stunned. “Frogs?”
“Yes. Frogs.”
“Alright. Frogs it is.”
“After you speak these words to Pharaoh you are to ‘say to Aaron, “Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!”’(Exodus 8:5).”
Moses called to Aaron as soon as he had finished speaking with the Lord and told him what was to come.
“Frogs?”
“I know. I asked the same thing myself of the Lord. He confirmed He intended to use frogs.”
“I just don’t see how frogs are going to have that much of an impact.”
“Well, the Lord said they would be everywhere. Maybe that’s what is going to get Pharaoh’s attention.”
“Ok. I’m ready.”
“First thing in the morning Aaron. Get some sleep for now.”
Moses and Aaron both dreamed about frogs that night. Big frogs, little frogs and every size in between. By morning they were both fully convinced of the trouble frogs could be.
At the palace gate Moses tells the guard that they are there to see Pharaoh again. The guard doesn’t look bored today. Instead he looks a little anxious. But he goes to Pharaoh to announce Moses and Aaron anyway. When he returns he ushers them into the throne room.
Pharaoh WAS happy this morning when he woke up. Everything was back to normal in his empire. He had clean water again and the Hebrews were still firmly in place. That was before the guard informed him that Moses and Aaron were at the gate.
As soon as Moses and Aaron were in the throne room Pharaoh calls out, “What do you want now?”
“Pharaoh, I believe you know why we are here. I have come with another message from our God.”
“I figured as much. I’m sure you are not going to like my answer. I haven’t seen anything to convince me otherwise.”
“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants’”
“Frogs!?” Pharaoh laughs.
“Yes Pharaoh. Frogs.” Moses then turned to Aaron and commanded him. “Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!”
Pharaoh’s palace is near the Nile so Aaron stretches out his staff towards the water. Immediately frogs start coming out of the water. Pharaoh laughs and calls for his magicians. As soon as they arrive he commands them to do the same.
“Your god commands you to make frogs come up out of the water.”
The magicians did several incantations and a dance. More frogs begin making their way up into the palace. “I told you there was nothing special about this. Why should I feel intimidated by your God? He commands no more power than I do. I am the god of Egypt! The Hebrews will worship me and serve me! Get out of my sight!”
Moses and Aaron offer a respectful bow, turn and leave the palace.
“What did you think of Pharaoh’s reaction” Aaron asks.
“He is certainly underwhelmed; NOW. But I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of this. You still have many other rivers, canals and streams to ‘bless’ with the Lord’s gift.”
“So right Moses” Aaron says. “I’ll get right on it. Let’s see how Pharaoh responds to that.”
Frogs are already starting to roam the streets as Moses and Aaron make their way to the different bodies of water. By the time they are finished the streets are filled with frogs and they have to be careful where they put their feet lest they step on them.
Screams can be heard as frogs make their way into the homes of the people. No place is exempt from these hopping menaces. Even Miriam is fighting frogs out of her kitchen as she prepares dinner. Moses’ wife has had enough!
“Moses, I must speak with you.”
“What is it my love?”
“I think it would be best for the children if I took them back to my father’s house. I don’t want them to have to suffer here in Egypt while your God works his miracle to free the Hebrews.”
“It is not going to be an easy process. I have no idea how long it will take either. Let me ask the Lord about it. He may have a purpose for them to experience this too.”
“Please Moses! I want to go home. I am tired of experiencing this.”
“I will give you my answer in the morning.”
That night Moses seeks the Lord regarding his wife and children. He doesn’t hear an answer or direction so he assumes that the Lord is leaving the decision in his hands. It pains him to see his wife so distraught. He decides to let her return to her father’s house and wait there for the rest of ‘his family’ to be freed.
First thing in the morning Moses shares his decision and then helps the family pack for their journey. “I will join you when all my people are free.” Moses hugs his sons and wife. He walks with them to the edge of the city. He has to remain because the Lord has a special job for him. But now his family will be protected in the process.
Four days go by and frogs are STILL coming up out of the water! Pharaoh has had it!!! He sends his most trusted guard to Moses to tell him that Pharaoh wants to see him. Moses and Aaron ready themselves and make their way to the palace. Travel is hampered by the number of frogs roaming about. Everyone has to watch where their feet are placed. Pharaoh’s guard is frustrated enough NOT to be careful and purposefully steps on frogs as they make their way back. He occasionally has to catch himself from falling as the gore left behind causes his feet to slide.
As soon as they enter the throne room Pharaoh calls out to Moses. “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 8:8).
Moses bows in respect. “I would be pleased to plead for you and you servants and your people that the frogs leave your homes and only be found in the Nile. When would you like me to ask the Lord to do this?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Be it as you say, so that you may KNOW that there is no one like the Lord our God. The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile” (Exodus 8:10b-11).
Moses and Aaron bow, turn and leave Pharaoh’s throne room. Once they are safely outside the palace they both begin to laugh.
“Did you see how many frogs found Pharaoh an adequate place to rest?”
“I did brother! He kept pushing them from him but they returned as quickly as they left.”
“The best part though is that the Lord has answered our prayers!”
Moses and Aaron went straight home where Moses met with the Lord and brought Pharaoh’s request for deliverance to him.
Morning dawned and there were dead frogs everywhere! No more replaced them either. Pharaoh saw this and was very pleased. He ordered the clean-up of his kingdom. It took three days for the people to clean away all the frogs. They were hauling away the bodies in carts and stacking them in heaps to be burned. Between the smell of the dead fish from God’s first punishment and the dead bodies of the frogs, Egypt STUNK! There was nothing Pharaoh could do to remedy this.
By the fourth day the smell began to decrease. Pharaoh was pleased with himself again and changed his mind regarding the Hebrews. He was NOT going to let them go. He needed their strong backs. Who do you think was tasked with cleaning up the frogs? Not the Egyptians for sure!
Moses and Aaron are not surprised. The Lord had told them this was going to be an incredible battle. They are ready to wage it as long and the Lord leads.
(to be continued)
Father God, for ALL the times I took credit for Your work, please forgive me! Pharaoh’ behavior reminds me of “pie crust promises.” They are easily made and easily broken. When You make a promise, it is for KEEPS. Once everything was back to normal, Pharaoh had no incentive to keep his promise. He was very comfortable with taking the credit for the respite the people were having. Too bad. That meant another lesson was on the way! PLEASE don’t let me fall into Pharaoh’s trap!
