Frogs, Lice, and Flies

Reading:   Exodus 8

I am quite impressed by Matthew Henry.  I've quoted him before but thought I might mention him again because of his thorough commentary on the Bible, remember this guy was a nonconformist Presbyterian minister in the early 1700's (died c.1714).  Anyway, whenever I am lacking for a topic I typically turn to Henry and, more often than not, his insightful explanations bring about an item or two that peak my interest.  He is a great resource...Matthew Henry.

Chapter eight focused on the plagues of frogs, lice, and flies (and yes, flies were indeed a plague despite what the Internet might say - specifically answers.com).  A number of significant things happen in this chapter but I want to note two in particular.  First, the sorcerers and magicians of Pharaoh's court have increasing difficulty emulating or explaining away the various miracles that Moses and Aaron threaten and the bring forth; to the point of relenting, even advising, Pharaoh that the hand of God must be involved...

EXODUS 8:19

19    Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said. 

Pharaoh relied upon his court of fools, his mystics, to justify his unwillingness to relent under pressure and yet, even when they too had been convinced, Pharaoh still refused to give in - he is, by far, one of the most stubborn individuals to ever walk the earth.

The second item of interest is the types of plagues that come about in this chapter.  Here is where Matthew Henry so precisely exposed an angle to this chapter that simply had not occurred to me...

"Pharaoh is here first threatened and then plagued with frogs, as afterwards, in this chapter, with lice and flies, little despicable inconsiderable animals, and yet by their vast numbers rendered sore plagues to the Egyptians. God could have plagued them with lions, or bears, or wolves, or with vultures or other birds of prey; but he chose to do it by these contemptible instruments.  That he might magnify his own power. He is Lord of the hosts of the whole creation, has them all at his beck, and makes what use he pleases of them. Some have thought that the power of God is shown as much in the making of an ant as in the making of an elephant; so is his providence in serving his own purposes by the least creatures as effectually as by the strongest, that the excellency of the power, in judgment as well as mercy, may be of God, and not of the creature. See what reason we have to stand in awe of this God, who, when he pleases, can arm the smallest parts of the creation against us. If God be our enemy, all the creatures are at war with us....Note, The great Sovereign of the world makes what use he pleases of the lives and deaths of his creatures; and he that gives a being, to serve one purpose, may, without wrong to his justice, call for it again immediately, to serve another purpose."

The frogs were called upon to reign mightily upon the Egyptians and they did as they were beckoned, then, without cause for explanation, they were simply removed from their occupation and died at the behest of Moses.  A perfect example of God's creatures serving one purpose and then swiftly serving another.  What makes the frog incident even more intense is the fact that they all died at once and their bodies were left as evidence to the reality of their purpose - they were not a grand illusion as attested by the lingering stench of their death!

EXODUS 8:13-14

13    And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. 

14    And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. 

~Kipling