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.

Story 36: Mo'ses Begins The Work Of Delivering Is'ra-el From E'gypt lll

   After strengthening His servant against the discouragements which had almost broken his spirit, and assuring him of His presence and power in the long road ahead, the LORD then told Mo'ses to appear before Pha'raoh again. On this appearance Mo'ses was instructed by the LORD to show that Divine Power was aiding him. Mo'ses therefore, told Aa'ron to cast down his staff before Pha'raoh, and the staff was turnt into a serpent; when Aa'ron picked it up again, however, it was changed back into a staff.
   Pha'raoh then called upon his sorcerers and magicians to imitate what Aa'ron had done. The sorcerers and magicians were men who practiced artful tricks of magic in the name of religion. They were able to give the appearance of turning a staff into a serpent, perhaps by concealing snakes which they had tamed in their clothes, and then releasing them by some sleight of hand trick. But the serpent formed by Aa'ron's staff ran after the E'gyp-tian snakes, and ate them all up.
   This miracle should have convinced Pha'raoh that Mo'ses and Aa'ron were truly messengers from God, and that they spoke with Divine Authority, but his skeptical mind refused to yield. He rejected the message from God, denied the request of Mo'ses and Aa'ron that Is'ra-el be allowed to go three days journey into the wilderness to worship their God. His effort
               "To steal the livery of the court of Heaven
               To serve the devil in"
had failed, but his proud, stubborn spirit would not give into God. The plagues which followed were brought upon Pha'raoh and the E'gyp-tians because the king would not yield to the reasonable request of Mo'ses and Aa'ron. We shall learn of the plagues in stories which follow.
  

Story 36: Mo'ses Begins The Work Of Delivering Is'ra-el From E'gypt ll

   Mo'ses and Aa'ron were overwhelmed with discouragement, and complained to the LORD because of their failure in the first approach to Pha'raoh, and because of his cruel treatment of their brethren. They had been sent by the LORD, and expected immediate success; when these hopes were disappointing, they felt that it was useless to carry on their work. In the hour of bitter sorrow, however, the LORD renewed with them the Promise and Covenant which He had made with A'bra-ham, I'saac, and Ja'cob. He told them plainly that Pha'raoh would finally be forced to let the children of Is'ra-el go in freedom by the judgments brought upon him and his people. To His faithful servants the LORD said:
               "Watch, though so long be the twilight delaying,
               Let the first sunbeam arise on thee praying;
               Fear not, for greater is God by thy side,
               Than armies of satan against thee allied."
   God told Mo'ses that the apparent failure to his first attempt to persuade Pha'raoh to let the people go did not mean that his entire mission would fail. The LORD was simply waiting for the best possible time to show His power over the wicked king, and to visit the E'gyp-tians with such terrible judgments that they would be glad to let the children of Is'ra-el return to the land promised to their fathers.
   Although Mo'ses had been chosen by the LORD to lead Is'ra-el from E'gypt to the Promised Land, he knew nothing of the secret plans of God, nor the length of time that was to pass before the departure from E'gypt. He expected the LORD to perform some miracle by which Pha'raoh would consent at once to the freedom which the children of Is'ra-el desired. Instead of this prompt deliverance, however, there was a trying period of many months of sorrow and disappointment before Mo'ses was given the honor of leading the Is'ra-el-ites on the journey to Ca'naan. The LORD sought to build up the faith of His noble servant, and to prepare him for all the trials which lay ahead. The leader of the children of Is'ra-el must be made fearless in carrying out his duty, but must also be taught to trust only in the LORD.
   Mo'ses knew that Pha'raoh was one of the most powerful kings upon earth, but he was soon to learn that the LORD is mightier than any earthly king. He knew that Is'ra-el was weak, but soon he was to learn that their strength was in God. All the trials and problems of his task were safely placed in the Hands of God, to whom he must look for victory.
               "For who that leans on His right arm
                  Was ever yet forsaken?
               What righteous cause can suffer harm
                  If He its part has taken."
   The LORD said to Mo'ses, "I will make thee a god before Pha'raoh, and Aa'ron shall be thy prophet." By this He meant that Mo'ses was to be God's messenger to the wicked king, to show the E'gyp-tians  how their cruel treatment of the Is'ra-el-ites was to be punished by the God of Is'ra-el and to release all the powers of God against Pha'raoh until the proud king was willing to let the Is'ra-el-ites leave his country.

Story 36: Mo'ses Begins The Work Of Delivering Is'ra-el From E'gypt l

   Before taking his family on a perilous journey to E'gypt, Mo'ses asked the consent of his father-in-law. Without meaning actually to deceive Je'thro, Mo'ses thought it best to tell him nothing about the vision which he had, or the Divine appointment to become the leader of his people in casting off their bondage in E'gypt. Even though he did not think it wise to share his wonderful secret with Je'thro, Mo'ses was truly grateful to his father-in-law for taking him into his home when he was a wanderer, for hiring him to look after his sheep for forty years, and for giving him one of his daughters in marriage. Je'thro took the news of the departure in good spirit, and said to Mo'ses, "Go in peace." He was very fond of his son-in-law, and knew that he would not go away unless he had some very good reason.
   Mo'ses took his wife and sons, and started out in the wilderness for the long journey back to the home of his kindred. In the course of the journey God reminded Mo'ses that he had neglected an important duty while he was living in Mid'i-an. For some reason he had failed to have one of his sons circumcised as required of the chosen people of God. When this neglect was called to his mind by the LORD, and the rite duly performed, Mo'ses sent the boy and his mother back to the home of Je'thro. The LORD directed Aa'ron to go into the wilderness to meet his brother Mo'ses, and the two brothers journeyed on into E'gypt to perform the great work to which they had been called.
   The elders of Is'ra-el were then called together, and Mo'ses told them of the call which he had received from God. They accepted him as their leader, and news of his mission spread rapidly among the Is'ra-el-ites. At first there was great rejoicing among the people, and they treated Mo'ses and Aa'ron with deep respect and affection. Then Mo'ses and Aa'ron went directly to Pha'raoh, the king of E'gypt, told him that they were messengers sent by the LORD, and asked that all the He'brew people be allowed to make a three days' journey into the wilderness outside the borders of E'gypt so that they might worship their God in a special feast.
   This reasonable request was bluntly refused by Pha'raoh. The proud king of E'gypt said, "Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Is'ra-el go." He had no respect for the God of Is'ra-el, and no mercy toward the people who worshiped Him; his answer shows that he did not believe that God could help the people of Is'ra-el. Thus the servants of God were scorned and insulted, and the wicked king of E'gypt sought to make himself a god superior to the God of Is'ra-el.
   Hardened in heart, darkened in mind, and filled with a cruel, selfish spirit, Pha'raoh mocked the suggestion that his great host of slaves should be permitted to leave their work long enough to worship their God. At once he ordered his officers and taskmasters to increase the burdens of the children of Is'ra-el, and to make their work more difficult to do.
   At this particular time the He'brew slaves were employed in making brick for the great temples being erected in E'gypt. In the process of molding bricks out of clay they used straw, which was cut in fine strands to hold the bricks together. Up to this time the straw had been gathered by other workmen, but Pha'raoh now ordered that the He'brews go out into the fields and gather their own straw, and that they must make just as many bricks as they had been making before. This increase in their burdens filled the He'brews with despair, and in their disappointment and anger they turnt against Mo'ses and Aa'ron, blaming them for the new hardships inflicted by the E'gyp-tians.

Story 35: God Speaks To Mo'ses From A Burning Bush lll

   After telling Mo'ses the great name by which he was to be known in the mission to the Is'ra-el-ites, God commanded him to call together the elders of Is'ra-el and tell them of the Divine Plan which had been arranged for their freedom. God also commanded Mo'ses to ask Pha'raoh to free the He'brews from their bondage. A word of warning, however, went with this final command. The LORD said, "I am sure that the king of E'gypt will not let you go; but I will stretch out My hand and smite E'gypt with all my wonders, and after that he will, let My people go."
   In spite of all these wonderful promises from God, Mo'ses still felt himself unable to carry out the mission with success, so the LORD gave him two special signs of encouragement. First, He told him to throw his shepherd's staff upon the ground, and when he did so, it was suddenly turnt into a serpent. Then the LORD told him to pick it up by the tail, and as soon as he touched it, it became a shepherd's staff once again.
   The second sign took place when Mo'ses was directed to put his hand into his bosom. When Mo'ses withdrew his hand, it was turnt white by the dread disease of leprosy. Once again he was ordered to place his hand in his bosom, but this time it was completely healed when he withdrew it.
   Still worried about his ability to make a successful appeal to Pha'raoh on behalf of My people, Mo'ses complained that he was a very poor speaker. He declared that he had an impediment of speech which would make it impossible for him to address Pha'raoh with any hope of success.The LORD then rebuked him for his unbelief, and for the suggestion that someone else be sent in his place; Mo'ses was told that his brother Aa'ron would speak for him in all the interviews with Pha'raoh,
   While these conversations were going on between the LORD and Mo'ses, the heart of Aa'ron was moved to go out toward the wilderness east of E'gypt. Here he was led by the LORD to meet Mo'ses, and to become an assistant in the great work to which his brother had been called. Mo'ses then accepted the call of God, returned to the house of his father-in-law and arranged to leave at once for E'gypt; taking his wife and son.
 

Story 35: God Speaks To Mo'ses From A Burning Bush ll

   Although the one thing in the world which Mo'ses desired above all was the deliverance of his people from bondage in E'gypt, he felt that he was unable to serve as the leader in such an undertaking. With all humility he answered the summons from the burning bush in these modest words, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pha'raoh, and that I should bring the children of Is'ra-el out of E'gypt?"
   It was only natural for Mo'ses to think of the fact that he was still sought by the E'gyp-tian authorities for the killing of an overseer so many years before, of the fact that for forty years he had been out of touch with events in E'gypt, and of his own lack of experience in serving as the leader of a great people. For these reasons he was most reluctant to accept the Divine Commission now thrust upon him.
   If Mo'ses had been a proud, conceited man, he no doubt would have said, "Who am I not?"; but as a man who trusted only in the LORD, he said, "Who am I?" In reply to the modest question of Mo'ses, the LORD assured him that He would be with him, and that as a token of His presence Mo'ses should worship on this mountain when he brought Is'ra-el out of E'gypt.
   Then Mo'ses remembered the treatment his people had received when he had slain the cruel taskmaster so many years before. It also occurred to him that perhaps the Is'ra-el-ites would not follow a leader who had spent forty years in the king's palace while they were forced into the hardest kind of labor, and who had now been absent from the country for forty years. He knew that his people must be broken in spirit by the years of bondage, and must have lost all hope of being delivered from their troubles. Honestly facing these difficulties, Mo'ses asked the LORD, "Who shall I say sent me, what is His name?" To this question God replied, "Tell them that I AM WHO I AM sent you, that is my name."
   This name for the God of Is'ra-el means a great deal; though it cannot be fully understood by man, it helps us to learn something about the nature of God. It means, in part, that God is eternal, without beginning or end; independent, unchangeable, and all-powerful; that he is the great and only ruler of everything that has been, or ever shall be created. Mo'ses did not fully understand the words of God, but he knew that they cast a blessing upon his mission to Is'ra-el. He knew that he could begin his work of deliverance in the name of God, a name which has power to free slaves, and to inspire men to the most courageous deeds.