Episode 360 - "Swarms of flies (But not upon the Hebrews)" Exodus 8:20-32
Ex. 8:20 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” 24 And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.
Ex. 8:25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the LORD our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 31 And the LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
As discussed in our previous episode, the first plague of each group of three begins with the LORD telling Moses where to go and what to say to Pharaoh, followed by a warning of what would happen if he doesn’t obey the LORD. In this plague, there would be swarms of flies. This time, the LORD announced through Moses that the Israelites would not experience this plague. It makes me wonder whether Pharaoh kept thinking that he and his people could endure the plague if the Hebrews could. Maybe he thought that, by his obstinacy, he could wear down the LORD and his people.
Pharaoh initially seems to be the one being worn down. He tries to bargain with God and then relents when Moses rejects his condition. Once again, Moses tells Pharaoh when the plague will be lifted, but this time he instructs Pharaoh not to renege on his promise. But Pharaoh hardened his heart again and did not follow through on his word.
I am struck by the seriousness of this kind of rebellion. What Pharaoh reveals is not simply pride or lack of faith. He manifests disdain for the LORD and the Hebrews. One might even observe that he has no concern for his own people in allowing, even inviting, these plagues to come upon his people. This is a far cry from the Pharaoh in power when Joseph was alive. The LORD had revealed himself by using Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh not only trusted the interpretations. He recognized the wisdom the LORD had given to Joseph and blessed him with authority to preserve his family and all of Egypt. What a contrast between these two leaders of Egypt. Surely, Moses wrote this history to remind the Israelites that they must also respond appropriately to the LORD’s revelation and obey his word. Rejection and disdain for the LORD will result in judgment. This is a sobering thought for us today. Is it not?