No warning given starts a pettern

There is no warning given to Pharaoh. This is a pattern with the plagues. There is no warning with the third, sixth and ninth plague. Pharaoh gets two warnings and then the third strike there is no warning, and the pattern repeats itself. Pharaoh gets some warning in advance but then he doesn’t so it is unpredictable even if his response will be predictable.

The Egyptain gods and priesthood are attacked

These plagues show the power of God which is far beyond that of Pharaoh and the judgement of God against all the false gods of Egypt as each plague is against an Egyptian God. This plague may have been an attack against Set, god of the desert. Also, it may have been directed against the Egyptian priesthood. The priests prided themselves in their purity with their frequent washings and shavings, and their wearing of linen robes. Here the Lord polluted the religionists with pesky insects.

The Magicians cannot replicate or stop this Plague

God told Aaron to strike the dust of the ground with his staff. When he did, the dust became gnats, and they filled the land of Egypt. This reminds us of the creation of mankind from the dust of the Earth.  Pharaoh’s magicians tried to recreate the miracle, but they couldn’t. These parasites are tiny and attack humans and livestock and can spread disease as well as severe discomfort. The reason the magicians could not reproduce is uncertain – it may be simply that God stopped them, or they couldn’t create something from nothing – dust to lice. An ability that only God can do. They become powerless against this and the rest of the plagues.

The magicians told Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh hardened his heart and wouldn’t listen to them. Gnats covered every man and animal in Egypt. Every plague is in itself a miracle from the LORD.

This is the last plague that impacts everyone in Egypt

The first three plagues have an impact on everyone including the Hebrews but that changes after this plague when only the Egyptians will be inflicted. In the Tenth plague only those who apply the blood on the door posts are saved in the death of the first born.

Categories: Exodus

Tags: bible, Exodus, god, moses, pharaoh