Tag Archives: Christianity

Strike Three: Gnats, Exodus 8:16-19

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From the way Denny’s shaking his head, he’s either got an injured shoulder or a gnat in his eye. ”  – Jerry Coleman

Source: clipartpanda.com

Source: clipartpanda.com

After God strikes Pharaoh and Egypt with the plague of blood, then frogs—due to their oppression of the Israelites—God sends a plague of gnats. You may read Exodus 8:16-19 here: Bible Gateway.

I didn’t have much success in finding many gnat quotes, (as you can see in my opener), but here are some interesting—or should I say disgusting—facts about these tiny creatures (Source: I Remove Pest).

  • Gnats use fermenting or decaying substance as a medium to breed.
  • Gnats feed themselves and live on rotten or decay substances.
  • Biting female gnats require and use blood as an effective protein for reproduction. Sometimes they will travel more than 40 miles for blood to breed.
  • Female gnats lay up to 300 eggs a day.
  • A larvae will turn into an adult gnat in a week.

As with the last two plagues, the following is my short fictional narrative of this Exodus passage.

***

Pharaoh swat at the swarm of gnats as though he were in the heat of battle. It was only a short while ago that he had defeated the accursed Hatti and his band of Hittites with a mighty hail fire of arrows and javelins. But his strength and glory amounted to nothing with these tiny pests, as was also the case during the plague of blood, then frogs.

This plague—pronounced by Moses from His God—erupt from the desert dust like a huge storm cloud covering his land, people, and animals. No one could keep the tiny bugs from wedging themselves under their linen clothing. The multiple bites not only stung, but also left itchy red bumps all over its victims.

Could Moses’ God, whom he referred to as Lord, really have this much power over nature?

As Pharaoh’s arms swell with blotchy red bumps, he rip his bracelets from his wrists before flinging them at the rigid magi standing before him. None of them dare flinch to attract his steel gaze. For in an instant he could untether the chain of the lion sitting at the foot of his golden throne. Fortunately for them, both the lion and Pharaoh were distracted with the biting insects.

“Why can’t you also produce gnats?” he yelled at his magi while trying to spit the bugs from his mouth.

A moment of silence only aggravated Pharaoh more, sending him into a tantrum of wild gestures. The lead magi finally spoke in a hush tone. “Surely this is the finger of God. For we can neither do nor undo this gnat infestation.”

“Nonsense!” Pharaoh hurl a quiver in their direction. A shriek filled the room as one of the magicians stumble backwards and collapse to the floor.

“Leave, you fools!”

A couple of magi rushed to grab their injured colleague before scrambling out of the throne room.

Reflect

Once again—just as God had said—Pharaoh refused to listen and hardened his heart.

Persistence is a good thing. But self-centered stubbornness, as in Pharaoh’s case, can be downright destructive.

The Life Application Study Bible summarizes: “[Pharaoh’s] stubborn disobedience brought suffering upon himself and his entire country. . . Stubbornness toward God is always disobedience. Avoid disobedience because the consequences may spill onto others.”

Thanks for taking the time to read. Have a wonderful week!

 

Strike Two: Frogs, Exodus 8:1-15

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The plague tragedy—a unique judgment on the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites—continues. Seven days have passed since the Lord struck the Nile with the first plague of blood (7:25). This time God covers Egypt’s land and people with frogs.

(Courtesy of brothersoft.com) Hoppy New Year! :)

(Courtesy of brothersoft.com)
Hoppy New Year! 🙂

You may read Exodus 8:1-15 here: Bible Gateway. The following story is my fictional translation of this passage.

***

Pharaoh bolt out of bed upon feeling webbed feet pummeling his face. Damp skin clung to him like a wet towel, sending him into a frenzy. He flung green speckled creatures in all directions.

How did all these frogs make their way to the third floor palace?!

When he slipped and fell on the sea of green, expletives rang through the halls with the chorus of croaks. Never again would the croaks from Goddess Heqet’s offspring soothe him to sleep. Their slimy bodies created a slip and slide not only throughout the palace’ halls and rooms, but also in every Egyptian home. So thick were the beady eyed creatures that all the precious wood and ivory furniture inlaid with gold and ivory, not to mention the carpets, lie ruined.

A servant girl brought him his morning loaf of bread fresh from the oven. Pharaoh impulsively grabbed a piece and took a bite. It was tougher than normal, and tasted like smelly swamp water. Upon seeing green slivers and tiny black dots checkered in the slice, he spit it out before vomiting.

MOSES. That guy and his slave brother had some nerve . . . marching into his throne room—catching his guards and himself by surprise—with his silly demand: “My God says ‘Let my people go, so they may worship me!” He managed to pull off his frog invasion threat. But didn’t Pharaoh’s magi also summon frogs to cover their land by calling on their great god Khnum?

“Moses! Bring him to me at once!” he ordered the guards.

His servants brought Moses and Aaron before him. Pharaoh said, “Pray to God to rid us of these frogs. I’ll release [your] people so that they can make their sacrifices and worship God.”

Moses said to Pharaoh, “Certainly. Set the time. When do you want the frogs out of here, away from your servants and people and out of your houses? You’ll be rid of frogs except for those in the Nile.”

“Make it tomorrow.”

Moses said, “Tomorrow it is—so you’ll realize that there is no God like our God. The frogs will be gone. You and your houses and your servants and your people, free of frogs. The only frogs left will be the ones in the Nile,” (Exodus 8:8-11, MSG).

The next morning dead frogs littered the palace, courtyards, houses and fields. Pharaoh ordered the people to pile them in mounds. The palace, houses, and land stunk for months.

As Pharaoh found relief from the massive pileup of frogs, he refused Moses and Aaron’s request yet again.

Review

Although frogs were common around the Nile River, Egypt had never experienced this many. I would take our cold spell over a plague of frogs any day!

Once again, God uses the frog plague to attack one of Egypt’s gods. Layman’s Bible Commentary notes: “Frogs were regarded as having divine power. In the Egyptian pantheon, the goddess Heqet had the form of a woman with a frog’s head. From her nostrils, it was believed, came the breath of life that animated the bodies of those created by her husband, the great god Khnum, from the dust of the earth. Therefore frogs were not to be killed.”

Next week, we’ll visit God’s third plague on Egypt: Gnats. . . . Have a great week!


Strike One: Blood, Exodus 7:14-24

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I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! My family and I enjoyed visiting extended family, and some downhill skiing over Christmas break. I am thankful to report no blood on that front!

Moving on with my study in Exodus, we enter the plague section which God brings upon Pharaoh and his people. I admit, I’d rather not begin the New Year writing about God’s judgment, even though it’s specific to ancient Egypt. But ultimately all nations are under God’s watchful eye and judgment (Psalm 96:10; 110:6). So it’s a good reminder not only of God’s power, but that we should also be praying for our leaders and nation(s).

The plague tragedy is a unique judgment on the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites.

This first plague attacks their Nile god, Hapi, who represented fertility. The following narrative is my fictional rendering based on this passage. You may read Exodus 7:14-24 here: Bible Gateway.

***

Pharaoh began his descent toward the banks of the mighty Nile. He would worship Hapi, the Nile god, this morning.

Pharaoh squinted into the early morning sun. Is that a man or a tall bird? The appearance of a man with a grizzled beard stood eerily still on the river’s bank. Moses! The crazed Hebrew nomad who spoke articulate Egyptian both intrigued and infuriated him at the same time. The man had guts. But how dare he challenge him—son of a god—to allow the Hebrews a desert leave. All in the name of worshiping some puny god he’s never even heard of!

Moses and his measly slave brother thought they could persuade him through trickery, turning a staff into a snake. Guess they underestimated my magi! They instantly replicated the same stunt, even though their snakes were swallowed by Moses’ snake.

Now within fifty feet—with Pharaoh enshrined in royalty—Moses still didn’t flinch. But his knuckles paled from grasping his staff in his right hand. Even from this distance, Pharaoh couldn’t miss the fiery intensity in Moses’ eyes.

With clenched jaw Moses boomed, “God, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you with this message, ‘Release my people so that they can worship me in the wilderness.’ So far you haven’t listened. This is how you’ll know that I am God. I am going to take this staff that I’m holding and strike this Nile River water: The water will turn to blood; the fish in the Nile will die; the Nile will stink; and the Egyptians won’t be able to drink the Nile water,’” (Ex. 7:15-18 MSG).

Aaron struck the water with the rod. Splinters of red first reflect in a dazzling pattern. But then streams of crimson flowed together until all of Hapi’s water seeped a thickening blood red, threatening to strangle her life flow. It wasn’t long before bloated fish surfaced. The air permeated with the foul smell of death.

Pharaoh’s servants scurried to him from all directions. “Blood is everywhere! The rivers, canals, ponds, even in pots and pans—they’ve all turned to blood!”

“Nonsense!” Pharaoh bellowed while glaring at Moses. “Magi, replicate this trick at once!”

Reflect

When Moses’ snake had previously gobbled up the Egyptian snakes, one would think Pharaoh would have reconsidered his stance toward Moses and the Israelites since the serpent was considered sacred in Lower Egypt where that confrontation took place.

But true to God’s word, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.

Most of Egypt’s people lived along the banks of the Nile’s 3,000 mile waterway. Egypt couldn’t exist without this life source for farming, fishing, bathing, and drinking. Sandy soil near the river’s bank filtered the water. But literal blood would fail to filter by the sand. Now the Egyptians had to dig along the Nile to get drinking water (v. 24).

God later gave a prophecy in Ezekiel 29:2-6 that concludes all of Egypt would know He is the Lord by this miracle.

How Does Moses Point to Christ? (Part Two)

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The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to Him.” – Deuteronomy 18:15

Christ is the prophet that God promised, whom Moses spoke of. However, Christ is much greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6).

Jesus coming to earth was not some afterthought on God’s part. The God-man was part of God’s original plan.

In continuation from my last post on how Moses foreshadows Christ, here are some more similarities—along with some dissimilarities—to consider:

  • The Red Sea divided when Moses obeyed God’s command to raise his staff and stretch his hand over the sea (Exodus 14:15-22). Jesus not only walked on the sea, but also calmed the wind and waves (Matthew 14:22-33).
  • Moses prayed and questioned God prior to the miracle of the manna and quails (Numbers 11). Twice, Jesus prayed and gave thanks as He performed the miracle of the loaves and fish (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39).
  • Both Moses and Jesus were on a mountain for the blessing of God’s commandments: Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:20; Deuteronomy 6:5-25); Jesus gave His commandments and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).
  • God’s voice was heard when a cloud overshadowed Moses, Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12:5-8). God’s voice was also heard when a cloud overshadowed Peter, James, and John with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-5).
  • Moses brought the Israelites to the Promised Land’s border. But because of his disobedience and their rebellion, they were not permitted to enter (Numbers 20:1-13). Jesus, on the other hand, perfectly obeyed God. Through Christ’s atonement for our sin, He permits anyone who accepts Him by faith to enter Paradise (Luke 23:43).

Why would this holy consuming fire—Almighty God—choose to wrap His only Son in flesh? Knowing every rejection, suffering and temptation Jesus would face on earth, what prompted Him to send Jesus from His side in Paradise to be birthed in a lowly manger? He certainly didn’t have to.

And Jesus. . . “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8)

Now that’s incredible love!

Most of us are familiar with John 3:16. But it’s one thing to have head knowledge of God’s love and quite another to realize and accept that truth in one’s heart. I pray that we grasp the magnitude of God’s love. He laid down His life for us in order to restore our broken relationship with Him.

If you continue to read Philippians 2:9-11, we’re told that Jesus has been exalted to the highest place and that one day every knee will bow before Him, every tongue will confess Him Lord.

If you’re not in a personal relationship with God, why not ask Him to be your Lord and Savior now? He longs to be in a personal relationship with you.

I think the following video does a great job in clarifying this theme of Sacrifice and Atonement as it weaves Scripture together from both the Old and New Testaments. . . . Blessings and enjoy!

How Does Moses Point to Christ? (Part One)

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The entire Old Testament, though dealing with the history of the nations and of Israel, ultimately spoke of the Messiah, the Redeemer who would come.”  – J. Hampton Keathley, III

I love that God has creatively woven types and parallels throughout the history of His people that highlight Christ through various people and events.

With Christmas approaching, I thought this would be a good time to detour from Exodus 7:14—the beginning of the 10 plagues in Egypt—and instead highlight how Moses foreshadows Christ. After all, Christ is God’s main event in which the Old Testament leads up to.

Though not your traditional Christmas message, it’s interesting to see how pieces of Moses’ life reflect some of Jesus’ life.

Similarities Between Moses and Jesus

  • Pharaoh killed innocent children during the time of Moses’ birth (Exodus 1:22). King Herod also killed innocent children in Bethlehem during the time of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:16).
  • Moses had to flee his home due to Pharaoh’s persecution (Exodus 2:15). Jesus and his parents also had to flee their native land due to Herod’s persecution (Matthew 2:14).
  • Moses was able to return when told: “All the men are dead that sought your life” (Exodus 4:19). Jesus was also able to return after Herod’s death: “those who sought the child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:20-21).
  • Moses prayed and God healed Miriam’s leprosy (Numbers 12:10-13). Jesus healed the leper (Matthew 8:2-3).
  • Twelve messengers were chosen by Moses. Hoshea, Moses’ close assistant, is renamed Joshua (Numbers 13:2-16). Twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus. Simon, Jesus’ close friend, is renamed Peter (Matthew 16:17-19; Mark 3:16-17).

My favorite similarity between Moses and Jesus is their role of being deliverers. God raised Moses up to deliver His people, the Israelites, from Egyptian bondage. God sent Jesus to earth not only to teach us His ways, but also to deliver us from the bondage of sin and eternal death.

Have you accepted His free gift of forgiveness and salvation through His Son?

Prophecies of the Birth of Christ by J. Hampton Keathley, III offers a thought provoking study on Jesus’ birth and how to identify the true Deliverer from counterfeits. I know some of you can easily digest his words in one sitting. But if you’re like me trying to stay a float with the holiday to-do list, a couple paragraphs or sections a day would make a great study leading up to Christmas.

Blessings!