We began our new series, The Plagues of Egypt, a couple days back, and today we will talk about the second catastrophy the Lord sent to bring judgment on Egypt.
After seeing the water turned into blood and having no clean river, lakes, or ponds for a week, one would think that Pharaoh would consider turning to God in repentance. He didn't though. In fact, he didn't even consider it. He hardened his heart and in essence, snubbed his nose at God. The magicians were able to do the same thing, so Pharaoh convinced himself that the plague of the water into blood was not from God. Again, Moses approached Pharaoh and gave him the word from The Lord, "Let my people go." Again, no positive response from the king of Egypt, so Moses pronounced the latest judgment. Frogs were to come up from the rivers. FROGS, girls! Do you get what I'm saying to you??! Those nasty, slimy, devilish-looking, big-eyed creatures were to be everywhere---in their homes, in their beds, in their kitchens, ON THEIR BODIES...everywhere. When they sat down, they inevitibly sat on a frog. When they put their hands in the kneading troughs to make bread, surely there was at least one frog in the mix. If they washed their face, there was a frog in the sink. When they got into bed, they laid down with two beady, little eyes staring at them. Aaagh!!! I cannot imagine this plague because truly, I am terrified of the horrid things. I can imagine that there were at least some of the Egyptian women (Hebrew, too) that were afraid of frogs. So, if it was anything like my house when there's a frog near, there was a whole bunch of hollerin' going on in Egypt. Yet, when the magicians were asked to duplicate this plague, they did so with ease; and when Pharaoh saw the magicians also bring up frogs from the waters, he wasn't impressed by God's power. Still, to get rid of the frogs, he told Moses that he had changed his mind and that he had been wrong. He lied and said that he'd let the Hebrews go. What I find crazy though is that when Moses responded by asking when he'd like the frogs to be gone, Pharaoh responded that the next day would be fine!! I cannot fathom asking for one more night with the frogs! Nevertheless, the next morning, the frogs were gone, just as Moses had promised. Pharaoh, however, did not honor his word and refused to let the people go.
So, why frogs? Why that plague? One commentator thought that this plague was to target the symbol of the god who assisted women during childbirth. Another commentator guessed that it was aimed at the political powers of Egypt. It is interesting to note that frogs will proceed from the mouths of the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet in Revelation 16:13 in the judgments against Babylon as the nations are gathered together for the Battle of Armageddon. So, the plague of the frogs had significance. We can be sure that this was not a random plague. It was one that the Lord designed for His specific plan and purpose.
It just wasn't awful enough because Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he refused to let the Hebrew people go.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
After seeing the water turned into blood and having no clean river, lakes, or ponds for a week, one would think that Pharaoh would consider turning to God in repentance. He didn't though. In fact, he didn't even consider it. He hardened his heart and in essence, snubbed his nose at God. The magicians were able to do the same thing, so Pharaoh convinced himself that the plague of the water into blood was not from God. Again, Moses approached Pharaoh and gave him the word from The Lord, "Let my people go." Again, no positive response from the king of Egypt, so Moses pronounced the latest judgment. Frogs were to come up from the rivers. FROGS, girls! Do you get what I'm saying to you??! Those nasty, slimy, devilish-looking, big-eyed creatures were to be everywhere---in their homes, in their beds, in their kitchens, ON THEIR BODIES...everywhere. When they sat down, they inevitibly sat on a frog. When they put their hands in the kneading troughs to make bread, surely there was at least one frog in the mix. If they washed their face, there was a frog in the sink. When they got into bed, they laid down with two beady, little eyes staring at them. Aaagh!!! I cannot imagine this plague because truly, I am terrified of the horrid things. I can imagine that there were at least some of the Egyptian women (Hebrew, too) that were afraid of frogs. So, if it was anything like my house when there's a frog near, there was a whole bunch of hollerin' going on in Egypt. Yet, when the magicians were asked to duplicate this plague, they did so with ease; and when Pharaoh saw the magicians also bring up frogs from the waters, he wasn't impressed by God's power. Still, to get rid of the frogs, he told Moses that he had changed his mind and that he had been wrong. He lied and said that he'd let the Hebrews go. What I find crazy though is that when Moses responded by asking when he'd like the frogs to be gone, Pharaoh responded that the next day would be fine!! I cannot fathom asking for one more night with the frogs! Nevertheless, the next morning, the frogs were gone, just as Moses had promised. Pharaoh, however, did not honor his word and refused to let the people go.
So, why frogs? Why that plague? One commentator thought that this plague was to target the symbol of the god who assisted women during childbirth. Another commentator guessed that it was aimed at the political powers of Egypt. It is interesting to note that frogs will proceed from the mouths of the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet in Revelation 16:13 in the judgments against Babylon as the nations are gathered together for the Battle of Armageddon. So, the plague of the frogs had significance. We can be sure that this was not a random plague. It was one that the Lord designed for His specific plan and purpose.
It just wasn't awful enough because Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he refused to let the Hebrew people go.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 26
Revelation 5
I cannot imagine what it must have been like! Such a terrible plague to go through, but it was all part of God's plan
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