EXODUS –LESSON 14
LEARN: Jeremiah 10:10-12
10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
READ: Exodus 8:1-32
1. The LORD again sent Moses to Pharaoh with the same message. What was it? v 1
2. What would be the consequences for refusing to let the nation of Israel leave? v 2
3. What was the purpose of the interval of time between the threat of the plague and the actual accomplishment of the plague?
4. How invasive would the plague of frogs be? vv 3, 4
NOTE: While the main purpose of the plague was to punish the nation by which Israel had been so long oppressed, the secondary object of throwing contempt upon their religion was maintained. Frogs were among the Egyptians sacred animals. One of their deities, Heka, was a frog-headed goddess; and they seem to have regarded the frog as a sacred emblem of creative power. The great multiplication of frogs, whereby they became an annoyance and a curse, was a trial and strain to the entire Egyptian religious system. The Egyptians might not kill them; yet they destroyed all their comfort, all their happiness. They were obliged to respect the creatures which they hated—to preserve the animals that they fain would have swept from the face of the earth. This peculiar kind of frog, which has the scientific name of Rana mosaica, resembles our toad, and is a disgusting object, which crawls rather than leaps, and croaks perpetually. To have the whole country filled with these disgusting creatures, to be unable to walk in the streets without treading on them, to find them not only occupying one’s doorstep, but in possession of one’s house, in one’s bedchamber , and upon one’s bed, to hear their croak constantly, to see nothing but their loathsome form everywhere, to be in perpetual contact with them and feel the repulsion of their cold, rough, clammy skin, would perhaps be as severe a punishment as can well be conceived. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p180The extreme cleanliness of the Egyptians would render the visitation of the frogs peculiarly disagreeable to the them. frogs do not ordinarily enter homes. p 181
5. What was proved to the Egyptians about their animal worship by the plague of the frogs? Jeremiah 10:10-13;
6. What were the magicians able to do with their enchantments? v 7 How did this benefit the situation of the Egyptian people?
7. Every effort would have been made to get rid of the frogs without intentionally killing them. Snakes, and chameleons, and ibises would destroy many—others would be crushed beneath wheels, trampled on by animals, squeezed to death by the opening of doors, unintentionally killed by men. But the vacancies made were constantly filled When he became desperate, what did Pharaoh do? v 8a
8. What did Pharaoh acknowledge when he made his request to Moses? v 8 What did Pharaoh promise he would do?
9. What was Moses’ gracious response to Pharaoh? v 9
10. From verse 9, who all do we see was affected by the plague?
11. According to Moses, why did he ask Pharaoh to give a certain time that he wanted the frogs removed? v 10
12. Describe the prayer of Moses to the LORD concerning the removal of the frogs. v 12See also I Kings 18:36-37.
13. The LORD did according to the word of Moses. What was the result? vv 13, 14
14. When the pressure was removed, what did Pharaoh do? v15
15. What does Isaiah 26:10 tell us about such a person? Romans 2:4, 5
16. In consequence of Pharaoh’s response, what did the LORD do next? vv 16, 17, Especially note how the lice were produced. What does that tell you regarding God?
17. Once again the magicians tried their enchantments. Did the LORD allow them to succeed? v 18
NOTE: The word “kinnim” rendered lice here is only found here and in Psalms 105:31. though some render it “lice”, many render it “gnats” or “mosquitoes.” The nearest Egyptian equivalent “khennems” has the signification of “mosquito.” PULPIT COIMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 189
18. At this point, what did the magicians understand? v 19
19. In verse 19 we see that “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened…as the LORD had said.” What is this attribute of God that allows Him to declare what will happen long before it happens? Acts 2:23; I Peter 1:2
20. Does the “foreknowledge” of God necessarily cause the thing to occur? Explain- find Scripture to prove your answer.
21. We see in verse 20 and 21 that the LORD gives Pharaoh another chance to obey, warning Pharaoh of the consequences of disobedience. What was God’s message to Pharaoh?
22. What further evidence of his power does God show in this plague? vv 22-24, NOTE: A division. Literally “a redemption,” i.e., a sign that they are redeemed from bondage, and are “My people,” not thine any longer. A grievous swarm of flies. Rather “a multitude of beetles.” As with the frogs, so with the beetles, it aggravated the affliction, that, being sacred animals, they might not be destroyed or injured. Beetles were sacred to Ra, the sun-god; and one form of Ra, Chepra, was ordinarily represented under the form of a beetle, or as a man with a beetle for his head. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 192
23. When Pharaoh saw all this trouble, what was his response? v 25
24. What further instructions did Moses have on this occasion? vv 26, 27
25. What was Pharaoh’s promise as he asked for help from Moses? v 28
26. As Moses agreed to help Pharaoh, what did he warn Pharaoh about doing? v 29
27. What do we specifically see about God’s ability to deliver on His word from verse 31?