Chapter 8
Chapter Outline
The plague of frogs. (1–15)
The plague of lice. (16–19)
The plague of flies. (20–32)Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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