Exodus 8:21 If you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies; even the ground will be covered with them.
Swarms of flies would be bad enough. I’ve dealt with an alarming number of flies in my kitchen, and their buzzing, swarming presence was plenty irritating. But commentary says the word for flies could also be interpreted as fleas, sandflies, or mosquitoes, so the thought of a swarming horde that bites is even more terrifying in my mind.
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.
And this is the first time God has made a distinction between His people and Pharaoh’s people. I assumed the entire land experienced the first several plagues, but the swarms of flies will be just on the Egyptians. That definitely makes a statement.
Exodus 8:23 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.’ ”
Precious Savior, Thank You that every time I come to Your word I see things I missed before. Thank You that I can still read and question, wonder and seek. Thank You that when I spend time in Your word, I always draw closer to You. Amen.
Exodus 8:24 And the Lord did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials; throughout Egypt the land was ruined by the flies.
Have a blessed day.