April 12, 2013
KEEP THE EYES OF YOUR HEART OPEN!
Exodus 8:16-32
Andy Kerner
Central Truth
God's power, nature, and glory are all around us every minute of every day. We don't need signs, wonders, or plagues to convince us of that truth. Keep the eyes of your heart open and never forget the power of the God we serve.
Key Verse | Exodus 8:30–32
So Moses went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the Lord. The Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. (Exodus 8:30-32)
Exodus 8:16-32
The Third Plague: Gnats
16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
The Fourth Plague: Flies
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. 1 8:22 Or that I the LORD am in the land 23 Thus I will put a division 2 8:23 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew set redemption 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.
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.
Dive Deeper | Exodus 8:16-32
The plague of the gnats and flies -- are you kidding me? I detest flying insects, but apparently I'm a favorite target of anything that bites. Gnats, "no-see-ums," and mosquitoes love me -- you are safe when I'm around! As I write this, we've just been through a bad summer of West Nile Virus in Dallas that included aerial spraying, and, frankly, I'm a little tired of hearing about flying bugs. What great theological truth or application can I impart through some witty prose about gnats and flies?
The plague of the gnats and flies were the third and fourth plagues God sent upon the land. These were particularly nasty and humiliating afflictions. Great swarms of gnats/lice/no-see-ums descended upon Egypt. The magicians knew it was God's power, yet Pharaoh would not relent.
God spoke to Moses again, and the next day God sent swarms of flies upon the Egyptians. These were not your normal house flies, but bloodsucking dog flies that laid waste to the Egyptians and their land. This got Pharaoh's attention, and after a weak and one-sided compromise attempt, he agreed to let the Israelites make a short journey to sacrifice to the Lord. Perfect. Moses asked the Lord, and the flies left the land. Then, Pharaoh hardened his heart again and refused to let the Israelites go. Queue up plagues 5-10!
So what's the purpose behind the plagues? Yes, they were punishment, but God didn't need them to free His people or change Pharaoh's heart. No, He could've done that in an instant. Just like today, God could choose to eliminate all evil in the world, but He chooses not to do so. It appears that God chooses to work through His people to get things done.
The plagues were a way for God to demonstrate His power, nature, and sovereignty, and to authenticate Moses' relationship to God. How could Pharaoh be so blind? But then again, how can we be so blind to the plagues that have affected us? What "plagues" have we seen, or what elements of God's power have we ignored? It's time to open our eyes!
Discussion Questions
1. Are you somebody who demands that God perform for you frequently to sustain your faith?
2. What "plagues" in your life has God used to shape you?
3. How are you surrounding yourself with people who will speak truth to you so you don't miss the signs and wonders that are all around you?