Exodus 8 Devotional Bible Study

Exodus 8 Chapter Summary

Seven days later, God sent the brothers to Pharaoh again, and when he refused to let the Israelites go, God brought a plague of frogs on the land, which the Egyptian magicians mimicked. Pharaoh then asked the brothers to pray for the frogs to leave, and he would let the Israelites go. But when the frogs left, Pharaoh “hardened his heart” and would not let the people go.

Afterward came a plague of gnats, but the magicians could not do the same thing.

 

Then came a plague of flies, but God kept the plague of flies from Goshen. Each time, Pharaoh said he would let the people go, then changed his mind.

 

Who Was God Punishing?

Exodus 8:22

"But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land." 

In verse 22, we read that God did not send the plague of flies on the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were living. Up until then, we assume that the Israelites, God’s people, were suffering the same plagues as the Egyptians: water turning to blood, frogs, gnats.

It’s the same now. Christians suffer alongside unbelievers through wars, disease, poverty.

Why does God allow His people to suffer in some of the same ways as non-Christians?

Maybe it’s to teach us endurance, perseverance, faithfulness. Can we continue walking with the Lord through suffering? As the Apostle Paul wrote, suffering ultimately leads to hope (Romans 5:3-4). Just as the Lord did not allow the Israelites to continue suffering alongside the Egyptians, we know He will protect His people from eternal suffering but also by relieving us, providing for us, and comforting us in this life. We are not alone, even when we are suffering.

 

What Do We Do When the Lord Gives Us Relief?

Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.

This was Pharaoh’s pattern. When trouble came, he acted like he would pay attention and obey they Lord’s command, but as soon as the trouble was over, he recanted.

Do we do this? Do we pray things like, “Lord, if You get me out of this trouble, I’ll never do it again,” but then we do it again? Do we think things like, “Wow, the events of the world are scary; maybe I should pray and draw closer to the Lord,” but then as soon as the current crisis has passed, we go back to ignoring to Him?

Let’s not be like Pharaoh. He’s not the good guy of the story.