Story 39: Divine Reasons For The Plagues Of E'gypt: The Land Infested With Locusts, And With A Great Darkness l

   The LORD knew that Pha'raoh was not speaking the truth when he promised to let the Is'ra-el-ites go, but He told Mo'ses to deal kindly with any acts which seemed to show repentance on the part of the king. He had already shown great mercy and forgiveness toward Pha'raoh, and did not let him pay the penalty for his evil ways until the last possible offer of mercy had been scorned.
   The soul of man is so constituted that the continued rejection of the mercies of God leaves it less ready to yield to them. The abuse of Divine Grace has a hardening effect upon man's moral nature. Pha'raoh had paid no attention to repeated offers of mercy, and had not learnt wisdom from continued acts of Divine Justice. But he was not yet wholly forsaken by God, and still further opportunities were given him to prove that his repentance was genuine.
   Mo'ses and Aa'ron had called upon Him before and after each plague, and He had shown mercy toward him whenever it was asked. Under the influence of these repeated acts of grace the heart of the king must either melt into genuine repentance or harden into an even more obstinate state. To say that God hardened Pha'raoh's heart means only that the LORD continued to test the king until it was clear that he definitely preferred the ways of evil to those of good. The Lord did not force Pha'raoh to choose either course, He merely left him in freedom to follow the desires of his own heart
               "Till, like a frozen mass, his heart was chilled,
               Its upward movement stayed, and conscience stilled."
   Mo'ses was generous and forbearing toward the wicked king in his confessions of guilt, in his acknowledgment of the righteousness of God, and in his request for pardon. Nevertheless, Mo'ses reminded the king that he had little confidence in the truth of his words, and fearlessly told him that his repentance was not real. He promised, however, to ask the LORD to put an end to the rain and hail and lightning. Mo'ses then went outside the city, raised his hands toward Heaven in a prayer to God, and the terrible storm ceased at once.
   Once again Pha'raoh failed to keep his promise. He took back his permission for the Is'ra-el-ites to leave E'gypt, and turnt against the LORD as wickedly as before.
   Now that the seventh plague had failed to produce any real change in the attitude of Pha'raoh toward the requests of Mo'ses and Aa'ron, the LORD sent his servants to deliver a strong message to the king, and to announce that a much greater plague was coming.

Story 38: Pha'raoh's Obstinacy Punished By More Severe Plagues: Cattle Die, Boils Break Out, And Terrible Storms lll

   On the day following this warning by Mo'ses, he and Aa'ron stretched forth their hands toward the Heavens in prayer. Then Mo'ses raised up his staff, and from the Heavens there poured down upon the land the terrible wrath of an avenging God. The same Heavens which had sent a destroying flood upon the world in the time of No'ah, and had rained fire upon the wicked cities of Sod'om and Go-mor'rah, now poured out great streams of both upon the land of E'gypt. It was a terrific, awesome sight, with hail and water and fire all pouring forth from the clouds above.
   The E'gyp-tians were especially terrified by the sight, for in that country rain was almost unknown, and what few thunderstorms there were seldom did harm. Fire was regarded as a god, and was worshiped in many heathen ways. The plague was miraculous in every respect, and called the E'gyp-tians to repentance with the voice of God,
   This plague was especially harmful to the wealth and commerce of the country. The gardens which yielded vast supplies of fruits and flowers, and upon which the E'gyp-tians  bestowed such great care, were swept into ruin. Dates, grapes, and pomegranates; olives, figs, and various kinds of melons,-all the pride and support of the land-were completely destroyed. The barley crop, which was now ready for harvest, and the fine fields of flax, were smitten and ruined. E'gypt's commerce in grains and flax, which was the principal source of her wealth, was now wrecked, and her manufacture of fine linens was stopped.
   As floods of hail and fire and rain poured out upon the land, as thunder roared through the Heavens and lightning flashed a trail of death through the country, Pha'raoh was stricken with terror. He sent for Mo'ses and Aa'ron, and said to them: "I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the LORD, for it is enough, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer." This was a noble confession and plea, if only it had been sincere. Had Pha'raoh spoken the truth in these words it would have meant that his pride, stubbornness, contempt for God were all gone. The wicked king, however, was more concerned with removing the calamities which his sins had brought upon the land than he was with the welfare of his soul, and with the pardon of his sins.

Story 38: Pha'raoh's Obstinacy Punished By More Severe Plagues: Cattle Die, Boils Break Out, And Terrible Storms ll

   Then the LORD directed Mo'ses and Aa'ron to take up ashes from the furnace, and to cast them into the Heavens. As the ashes floated toward the ground a plague of boils began to afflict all the people of E'gypt, including the king. Even the magicians were so afflicted by the plague that they were unable to stand before the king.
   The sixth plague upon the E'gyp-tians threatened all human life. It caused great sores and intense suffering, often resulting in death. It was by far the worst pestilence so far visited upon the people of E'gypt. It was also brought on in a manner designed to show the purpose of God in all the plagues. For years the Is'ra-el-ites had been forced to labor in the brick-kilns under the unbearable heat of the furnaces; when Mo'ses brought on this plague, the ashes of these very furnaces became a sign and promise of the affliction to smite the cruel E'gyp-tians. The very workshops in which the He'brews slaves toiled in preparing materials for the great temples of E'gypt became the source of ruin for the slave-masters.
   No one in the land, except the Is'ra-el-ites in Go'shen, was spared from the terrible scourge of boils. But still the heart of Pha'raoh remained proud and unyielding, and he became more obstinate and willful than ever in his rejection of God. His pride was not yet humbled, nor his cruel spirit conquered; he still refused to grant the request of Mo'ses and Aa'ron.
   After the sixth plague had failed to move Pha'raoh to repentance, the LORD sent Mo'ses with another message for the king. This time Mo'ses reminded him that all these judgments had come from God, that they had followed in quick succession, and that the king had sealed his own doom by repeated failure to obey the clear command of God. During these punishments there had been many opportunities for the king to repent, and to let the children of Is'ra-el go, but he had only hardened his heart the more. The LORD was, therefore, about to bring such great afflictions upon the people of E'gypt that they would have no other choice than to free the He'brews.
   The seventh plague was announced to Pha'raoh as a destructive hailstorm covering the whole land. So terrible was the storm to be that it would bring violent death to any animals which had escaped the disease  of a previous plague, and to any human beings who might be caught in it. Under its terrific force all vegetation would be destroyed, and the trees of both orchard and forest would be stripped of their branches.
   But in this threatened destruction a special offer of mercy was made to any E'gyp-tians who had become convinced of the avenging power of God. Mo'ses told Pha'raoh to send warning of the approaching hailstorm to all workmen in the fields, and to other servants whose duties might expose them to the storm. This request was made so that all who believed in God might take shelter in their homes.

Story 38: Pha'raoh's Obstinacy Punished By More Severe Plagues: Cattle Die, Boils Break Out, And Terrible Storms l

   It was the duty of the king of E'gypt to give the children of Is'ra-el complete freedom, but he treated this solemn obligation with increasing contempt. Mo'ses and Aa'ron had shown themselves to be very generous, and had proved beyond question that they were servants of God, but still he scorned them. Four plagues had visited the land, each one more severe than any other calamity which had ever befallen E'gypt, but the king remained obstinate and insolent toward God.
   The solemn promises to let Is'ra-el go were forgotten as soon as God removed the afflictions. During the fear and suffering brought on by each plague Pha'raoh pretended deep repentance for his sins, but when the danger seemed past, committed even greater sins. The righteous judgments of God had forced Pha'raoh to acknowledge His Supremacy, but when these judgments were lifted, he became more defiant than ever.
   God's Mercy was abused by Pha'raoh; instead of leading him to repentance, it seemed only to make him worse. When the rod of justice ceased to strike, he rebelled again. As soon as one voice of Divine Judgment was stilled, he seemed to think that there would be no others.
   But the LORD God of Heaven continued His appeals and warnings, and made it clear to Pha'raoh that he was trifling with Divine Justice. The wrath of God could not be halted by false promises and pretended repentance. Mo'ses was directed by the LORD to appear again before Pha'raoh, and this time he was to tell the king that an even worse plague would come if he still refused to let Is'ra-el go into the wilderness to worship their God. The next calamity to be sent by God would strike the domestic animals of the E'gyp-tians, bringing death to thousands of cattle, sheep, horses, and camels.
   On the day after Mo'ses had spoken to Pha'raoh a deadly disease fell upon all the animals of the E'gyp-tians, and in one day they were dead. The whole land became one gruesome plain covered with the dead bodies of animals. Thousands of oxen, which were regarded as sacred by the E'gyp-tians, lay lifeless upon the ground; the horses, asses, and camels which were used for transportation were also dead, as were the sheep and cattle which provided the E'gyp-tians with food. Surely such terrible calamities would bring the stubborn king to his knees!
   This plague, however, had only the effect of hardening Pha'raoh's heart all the more. He made a special visit to the land of Go'shen, where the Is'ra-el-ites lived, and found that none of their live-stock had been harmed by the plague. It angered him greatly to find that the despised He'brews had not been touched by the judgment which had cost him so much, and he became more determined than ever not to yield to the command of God.

Story 37: E'gypt Plagued By Rivers Of Blood, Hordes Of Frogs, Myriads Of Lice, and Swarms Of Flies lll

   After Pha'raoh had refused to take the advice of his magicians concerning the plague of lice, the LORD directed Mo'ses to tell the king that a further refusal would be punished by a great plague of flies. The proud king still refused to heed the warnings of Mo'ses and Aa'ron, and the whole land swarmed with insects whose sharp bites caused bitter suffering.
   These four plagues were increasingly severe; each one worse than the one that had come before. With his house swarming with these insects, and his own body and those of his servants bitten all over by them, Pha'raoh could endure the torture no longer. He called for Mo'ses and Aa'ron, and offered a partial agreement to their request. They were told that the children of Is'ra-el might sacrifice unto their God, provided they would do so in E'gypt.
   This offer was promptly declined by Mo'ses, for it was no time to make a compromise. He explained to Pha'raoh that if the Is'ra-el-ites made their sacrifices according to their own customs the E'gyp-tians would be offended, and would think it their duty to punish the Is'ra-el-ites for killing animals which they regarded as sacred. God's claims upon Is'ra-el were Supreme, and as obedient and loyal children, they could not accept any policy which would compromise His honor, or the dignity of the services to be rendered.
   Pha'raoh probably offered to Mo'ses the use of the magnificent temples of E'gypt for the worship which the Is'ra-el-ites wished to render unto their God. The use of these buildings, however, which were dedicated to false gods, would have been a compromise with idolatry. Mo'ses preferred to go out into the wilderness to find a place where Is'ra-el could worship the LORD in the manner which He had ordered.
   Then Pha'raoh said, "Very well, if you will only entreat the LORD that these troublesome flies be removed from the land, then you may take Is'ra-el a little way into the wilderness for worship; but do not go very far." Mo'ses prayed to the LORD, and the flies were removed, every one of them. Once again Pha'raoh's repentance was false, and as soon as the flies had been removed, he gave orders that the children of Is'ra-el should not be permitted to leave the land. He had repeatedly hardened his heart, and rejected God's will, until it was now impossible for him to yield.

Story 37: E'gypt Plagued By Rivers Of Blood, Hordes Of Frogs, Myriads Of Lice, And Swarms Of Flies ll

   Mo'ses again directed Aa'ron to wave his staff, and suddenly great numbers of frogs came out of the waters of the land and infested the whole country. The houses of the people and the palace of the king were soon made loathsome by these slimy, croaking creatures. There was no way to escape or resist these afflictive and pestilent "marsh-leapers."
   Pha'raoh had been contemptuous and unrepentant under the first plague; the sign of God's power in the torrents of blood which flowed throughout the land seems to have left him unmoved. But now that his own home was made miserable by the frogs, which infested even his bedchamber and dining room, his stubborn resolution began to weaken. He had no way of protecting himself from these contemptible creatures; they were more numerous and irresistible than any army of soldiers invading the land of E'gypt. His pride was humbled, and he was forced to give in before the army of pests sent by the LORD. He sent for Mo'ses, and asked his aid in freeing the country from the ugly creatures which seemed to have taken possession of it. Mo'ses asked when the king wished him to intercede with God to remove the frogs, and was told to make his prayer on the following day. The prayer of Mo'ses was granted at once; all the frogs died, and had to be piled up in great heaps all over the land.
   The apparent repentance of Pha'raoh was short-lived and deceitful. He had promised that if the plague of frogs was removed he would let the children of Is'ra-el go out into the wilderness to worship God in their own way. As soon as all the frogs were dead, however, Pha'raoh took back his promise, and refused to let the Is'ra-el-ites go out into the wilderness.
   A third plague came upon the land without any warning whatsoever. Mo'ses told Aa'ron to wave his rod over the dust of the earth, and the whole land became infested with lice. They covered both man and beast, and the very dust of the ground became a bed for these annoying insects. The magicians of E'gypt tried to do the same, but were unable to turn the dust of the ground into lice. They then told the king that the miracle just performed by Mo'ses and Aa'ron must have been caused by the finger of God, but Pha'raoh would not take the advice of his own servants.
   It is not quite clear whether these three plagues also affected the Is'ra-el-ites in the land of Go'shen, but we are plainly told that they were spared from the plagues which followed. This was an exception to the usual method of Divine Providence in dealing with the world, for as a rule both good and evil persons suffer alike in the calamities of nature. All people are subject to the laws by which the LORD instructs His children, and good conduct does not always save one from a part in the judgments which fall at times upon the world.
   The punishments which the LORD permits are intended to turn sinners into saints, and to transform saints into even more Heavenly beings. It is true, however, that good character often shields one from misfortune, and that those who love the LORD are saved from the trials which come to those who are too proud to call upon His name. In the further plagues upon E'gypt God showed the wicked king He was able to protect His own people, and that the sufferings brought upon Pha'raoh and his country for refusing to let the children of Is'ra-el go out into the wilderness should not afflict the He'brews.

Story 37: E'gypt Plagued By Rivers Of Blood, Hordes of Frogs, Myriads Of Lice, And Swarms Of Flies l

   The LORD then told Mo'ses to go out and meet Pha'raoh as he was walking near the river Nile, and to perform a miracle by which the river would become a raging torrent of blood. Mo'ses and Aa'ron  had presented the message of God to Pha'raoh, but failed to gain his consent by any appeals to his pity or sense of justice; the time had now come when the stubborn king must be punished.
   Going down to the river Nile at a place where he could be seen by Pha'raoh, Aa'ron waved his staff over the waters, and it was suddenly turnt into blood. Before the king's very eyes the great river which was the pride of all E'gypt, the source of great wealth and prosperity, and the object of superstitious reverence as the birthplace of the gods of E'gypt, was suddenly transformed into a stream of blood.
   On the banks of the river were splendid crops of wheat and barley, and groves of sycamore and palm trees cast their welcome shade over many beautiful parks and paths. The richly scented flowers of the sacred lotus floated on the surface of the river. The waters abounded in fish, some of them valued highly for food, while others were regarded with superstitious fear or wonder. The waters of the Nile were considered safe for drinking, and were widely used for domestic purposes.
   What a terrible blow it was to have these waters instantly changed into a disgusting stream of blood! The fish died, and soon an unbearable odor rose from the river. At the same time the waters of the canals and lakes throughout the country were also turnt into blood. For seven days this terrible condition prevailed. Wherever the people turnt in search of water their eyes fell upon blood, nothing but blood. Surely they must have felt that the God of Is'ra-el had power!
   The blighting of this great river was also a terrible blow to the industry and commerce of the country. The Nile was the chief strength of E'gypt's trade, and it would be impossible to carry on commerce in a river which was now filled with blood. The nation which had grown wealthy from the forced labor of its thousands of slaves was now at the point of ruin because its great river was unfit for use. And yet, desperate as the people were, the king refused to help them by yielding to the will of God.
   The LORD then directed Mo'ses to appear before Pha'raoh the third time, and to say to him, "If you still refuse to submit to God, then He will smite all your territory with frogs." The wicked king gave no heed to this warning, possibly because his magicians had been able to perform a trick in which water was apparently turnt into blood.