‏ Exodus 8

* The plague of frogs. (1-15) The plague of lice. (16-19) The

plague of flies. (20-32)

1-15 Pharaoh is plagued with frogs; their vast numbers made

them sore plagues to the Egyptians. God could have plagued Egypt

with lions, or bears, or wolves, or with birds of prey, but he

chose to do it by these despicable creatures. God, when he

pleases, can arm the smallest parts of the creation against us.

He thereby humbled Pharaoh. They should neither eat, nor drink,

nor sleep in quiet; but wherever they were, they should be

troubled by the frogs. God's curse upon a man will pursue him

wherever he goes, and lie heavy upon him whatever he does.

Pharaoh gave way under this plague. He promises that he will let

the people go. Those who bid defiance to God and prayer, first

or last, will be made to see their need of both. But when

Pharaoh saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Till the

heart is renewed by the grace of God, the thoughts made by

affliction do not abide; the convictions wear off, and the

promises that were given are forgotten. Till the state of the

air is changed, what thaws in the sun will freeze again in the

shade. 16-19 These lice were produced out of the dust of the earth;

out of any part of the creation God can fetch a scourge, with

which to correct those who rebel against him. Even the dust of

the earth obeys him. These lice were very troublesome, as well

as disgraceful to the Egyptians, whose priests were obliged to

take much pains that no vermin ever should be found about them.

All the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians, had reference to

their national crimes, or were rendered particularly severe by

their customs. The magicians attempted to imitate it, but they

could not. It forced them to confess, This is the finger of God!

The check and restraint put upon us, must needs be from a Divine

power. Sooner or later God will force even his enemies to

acknowledge his own power. Pharaoh, notwithstanding this, was

more and more obstinate. 20-32 Pharaoh was early at his false devotions to the river;

and shall we be for more sleep and more slumber, when any

service to the Lord is to be done? The Egyptians and the Hebrews

were to be marked in the plague of flies. The Lord knows them

that are his, and will make it appear, perhaps in this world,

certainly in the other, that he has set them apart for himself.

Pharaoh unwillingly entered into a treaty with Moses and Aaron.

He is content they should sacrifice to their God, provided they

would do it in the land of Egypt. But it would be an abomination

to God, should they offer the Egyptian sacrifices; and it would

be an abomination to the Egyptians, should they offer to God the

objects of the worship of the Egyptians, namely, their calves or

oxen. Those who would offer acceptable sacrifice to God, must

separate themselves from the wicked and profane. They must also

retire from the world. Israel cannot keep the feast of the Lord,

either among the brick-kilns or among the flesh-pots of Egypt.

And they must sacrifice as God shall command, not otherwise.

Though they were in slavery to Pharaoh, yet they must obey God's

commands. Pharaoh consents for them to go into the wilderness,

provided they do not go so far but that he might fetch them back

again. Thus, some sinners, in a pang of conviction, part with

their sins, yet are loth they should go very far away; for when

the fright is over, they will turn to them again. Moses promised

the removal of this plague. But let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully

any more. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: if we think to

cheat God by a sham repentance and a false surrender of

ourselves to him, we shall put a fatal cheat upon our own souls.

Pharaoh returned to his hardness. Reigning lusts break through

the strongest bonds, and make men presume and go from their

word. Many seem in earnest, but there is some reserve, some

beloved, secret sin. They are unwilling to look upon themselves

as in danger of everlasting misery. They will refrain from other

sins; they do much, give much, and even punish themselves much.

They will leave it off sometimes, and, as it were, let their sin

depart a little way; but will not make up their minds to part

with all and follow Christ, bearing the cross. Rather than that,

they venture all. They are sorrowful, but depart from Christ,

determined to keep the world at present, and they hope for some

future season, when salvation may be had without such costly

sacrifices; but, at length, the poor sinner is driven away in

his wickedness, and left without hope to lament his folly.