EXODUS 8
25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. 31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go. – Exodus 8:25-32
EXODUS 8 THE SWARMS OF FLIES PLAGUE LIFTED UP
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When the swarms of flies plagued the Egyptians
Pharaoh told Moses that they can worship in Egypt
But Moses said that it would not be a worship pleasing to God
Since the Egyptians would stone them if they worshipped there
Pharaoh once again said he would release them to worship
If Moses asks God to lift up the plague of the swarms of flies.
Once again, for the fourth time, Pharaoh tricked Moses and did not honor his word to release the Israelites if the plague was lifted. It is interesting that when the plague is stopped, he goes back again to his wickedness. Isn’t this also true in our lives in our world today? When we are not beset by troubles and sorrows, we forget to worship God and we go on our merry ways and our sinfulness. All that was required of Pharaoh was to give the Israelites time to worship the Lord out of Egypt but he was so insecure to let go of his control and abuse over them. What a narcissistic egotistical tyrant this king was!
REFLECTION
- What stirs Pharaoh to cheat, lie and deceive Moses?
