Exodus 8

Throughout history, God’s servants have had the opportunity to demonstrate God’s power and to show people that “there is no one like the LORD our God” (verse 10). Even today many Christians, through prayer, are healing people’s illnesses and overcoming demonic powers; and as a result, people are choosing to believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. But some, like Pharaoh, harden their heart instead.

The Plague of Flies (8:20–32)

20–24 The next plague was the sending of swarms of flies over the land of Egypt. But in this plague also, there was a difference: the flies did not go to the part of Egypt where the Israelites lived—Goshen, in the northeastern part of the country.

This was important, because people in ancient times believed that gods occupied different territories, and that within a given territory the local god was preeminent. But the God of Israel was preeminent throughout Egypt, sending flies on the Egyptians but sparing the Israelites, and thereby demnstrating that He had the power to punish His enemies and at the same time save His own people.

25–27 Given the large number of dead fish and dead frogs lying around, these flies would have had plenty to feast on. Yet Pharaoh knew that the flies had come from Israel’s God. And so to appease God and encourage Him to remove the flies, Pharaoh said that the Israelites would be allowed to worship God—but in Egypt (verse 25). However, Moses rejected Pharaoh’s offer on the grounds that the Egyptians detested the Israelites and would interfere with their worship (Genesis 43:32; 46:34).

28–32 Pharaoh tried to bargain with Moses; he agreed to let the Israelites go outside Egypt if Moses would pray for him—that is, pray to have the flies removed (verse 28).

Again Moses prayed, and again the Lord answered; so effective was Moses’ prayer that not a fly remained (verse 30). And once again, as soon as the flies were gone, Pharaoh hardened his heart and broke his promise.

Notice that it’s impossible to soften a person’s heart by outside force or pressure; force may break a person’s heart but it won’t soften it. Outer circumstances may cause a person to be remorseful, but not truly repentant. Only God’s grace can soften a person’s heart and bring about true REPENTANCE.