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GodVs.Heket the goddess of Fertility & Rebirth~God's Third Blow - The Plague of Frogs But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls.(Bible Study Online Article Covers : Exodus 8:1-15)
Short Recap?In the last couple of articles we learned that God's second blow against the Egyptians dealt with Him changing the "Nile" into a river of blood.
![]( http://www.christian-resources-today.com/images/Moses_Egypt_Frog_God.jpg)
Know that this move against the Egyptians would turn out to be far more intense than the first.
For you must keep in mind that it wouldn't just be the "Nile River" that would be affected by this "bloody plague"?
Being that the Sacred Record reveals that wherever the Egyptians had turned, they simply couldn't find relief from God's latest blow.
And to make matters worse, we also find that all the fish that were to be found within the "Nile" had died as well. Know that this was a clear sign and evidence that the "Nile" had become so toxic, that it could no longer sustain life. And even though Pharaoh played like this "bloody plague" didn't bother him, his actions would tell a different story. Notice how we didn't find Pharaoh out and about while this "bloody plague" was wrecking havoc upon the Egyptian kingdom. Notice how we didn't read about Pharaoh trying to reassure the Egyptians that this "bloody plague" was no big deal, and that they had nothing to worry about.
Bible Study OnlinePharaoh You Can't Hide?
No, what we find is Pharaoh hiding in his palace clueless and without answers. But Egyptian ruler will soon learn that he can't hide from the Lord:
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and say to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants.'"'" -- Exodus 8:1-4
Bible Study OnlinePharaoh Stays Defiant?
And although it's not recorded, when it came to what Pharaoh had said in regards to Moses' warning and demands. We can only assume that Pharaoh had tried to ignore Moses and all that he had to say - for we find the Egyptian ruler defiant, and not giving in to Moses' demands. And this was okay, because it had been prophesied by the Lord.
However, notice what had happened next: "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, 'Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt."' So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt." -- Exodus 8:5,6
Bible Study OnlineThe Third Blow?
Now keep in mind that this move would be God's third blow against the Egyptians, and the second of the "ten recorded plagues". And it's also possible that this action by God would also come against the frog-headed Egyptian deity that was known as: "Heket the goddess of Fertility & Rebirth." Being that the Egyptians had viewed the "frog" as being a symbol that dealt with: new-sprung life and fruitfulness.
Understand that the reason why I'm listing "Heket" as the main deity when it comes to this divine challenge, is simply because, when it comes to this recorded account - she falls within the consensus of opinion amongst the Bible scholars.
Bible Study OnlineThe Eight Ogdoad gods & goddesses?
But know that there are other "Egyptian gods" that could easily fall within this area as well - especially when we include the so-called "Egyptian Creation Myth" that involves "The Eight Ogdoad gods & goddesses." For you must know that these "Eight Egyptian deities" (just like Heket) were also being depicted through some type of "frog symbolism" as well.
Now when it comes to this recorded account, keep in mind that these "Eight Egyptian deities" fall outside the consensus of opinion amongst the Bible scholars. But I personally believe that they're worth mentioning, being that the God of Israel had just unleashed A "plague" upon the Egyptian kingdom that could point to them as well. Howbeit, just for the sake of curiosity, here's the list of the "The Eight Ogdoad gods & goddesses":
- Nun (male) -& - Naunet (female) / the deities of Ancient Waters
- Heh (male) -& - Hauhet (female) / the deities of Boundlessness
- Amun (male) -& - Amaunet (female) / the deities of Invisibility and Air
- Kuk (male) -& - Kauket (female) / the deities of Mystic Darkness
Bible Study OnlineMore Intense than the Last?
However as we move forward, know that the "plague of frogs" would be found to be more intense than the last two moves that God had enacted earlier against Egypt. Being that the Sacred Record reveals that there were frogs everywhere: "...come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants." And it didn't matter where the Egyptians tried to turn, or hide, when it came to this plague - for they couldn't avoid, or find any kind of relief from it.
Bible Study OnlineThe Magicians - No Divine Substance?
And of course, we find that once again, Pharaoh would call upon the magicians, and had instructed them to handle and respond to this latest challenge by God: "And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt." -- Exodus 8:7
Now again, it would have been different if the magicians were able to send the frogs back to the "Nile" or at least turn them back, so the Egyptians could find some type of relief. But the magicians didn't possess that type of power, or divine authority. Not even the Egyptian goddess "Heket" would have been able to enable them, to turn back something that the God of Israel had already put in play. For all they knew, was how to somehow mimic, and present an illusion that they were able to do the same as the Almighty.
Bible Study OnlinePharaoh Knew This As Well?
And Pharaoh knew that the Magicians were found to be without divine substance, and this is why when he finally wanted relief from God's latest blow, he called on Moses and not the magicians: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord." -- Exodus 8:8
And with Moses being the person that he was, he granted Pharaoh's request and interceded on his behalf: "And Moses said to Pharaoh, 'Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only." -- Exodus 8:9
Bible Study OnlineWhen Do You Want it to End?
Now notice how we find Moses at this time asking Pharaoh when he wanted to have this "plague" stopped - now keep in mind that when Moses had asked Pharaoh for a specific time, this move would further enforce the fact that the God of Israel is completely behind and in control of what's happening at this point within Egypt. Know that Moses didn't want to give Pharaoh the opportunity to suggest, or try to spin this ordeal, as if it was some type of "freakish natural event" that had just happened.
And perhaps this is what Pharaoh was hoping for, and this would further explain why the Egyptian ruler responded to Moses the way that he did: "So he [Pharaoh] said, 'Tomorrow.' And he [Moses] said, 'Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.'" -- Exodus 8:10,11
Now I personally find it very interesting that Pharaoh would say: "tomorrow" instead of: "now or immediately" - for it would seem that Pharaoh was trying to give the "plague" a chance to stop on its own. Therefore creating an opportunity to possibly give credit to the stopping of the plague to his "Egyptian gods"? Hmmm... one can only wonder.
Bible Study OnlineKeeping Ones Word?
However, we now find that Moses would keep his word and his part of the agreement: "Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. So the Lord did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. They [Egyptians] gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank." -- Exodus 8:12-14
And as for Pharaoh - did he keep his word? : "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said." -- Exodus 8:15
And of course this would be okay, being that the Lord had told Moses that this would happen. Besides, Pharaoh hasn't reached his breaking point. No not yet. And this latest move by God was only meant to bend Pharaoh at this time, and not to break him.
In the next Bible Study Online Article:So how will God respond to Pharaoh's latest stand? Will God's next move be more intense than the last? Will the magicians be able to continue their mimicking of the One True God? Ah! - questions, questions? But never fret my dear friends, in due time, the Word of God will provide the answers.
May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support
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Joseph the Overseer of Egypt
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The Prophecies of Jacob
Moses the Son of Levi
Moses & the Call of God
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Continue Reading - Bible Study Online - Current Series:
155) Moses Confronts Pharaoh
156) Pharaoh Makes the First Move Against God
157) The Egyptian Deities that Reaped the Wrath of God
158) Pharaoh the Unjust & Unreasonable
159) Moses Has a Talk with God
160) What's Going On God
161) Moses Know that I Am Jehovah
162) Moses And The Desolate Souls
163) Moses Do You Know Who You Are?
164) Moses the God amongst the Egyptians
165) The Battle for the Souls of Humanity
166) Moses & the Egyptian Magicians
167) God vs. Hapi the Water god
168) For Seven Days the Nile River Bleeds
169) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->
170) God vs. Geb the Earth god
171) God Releases the Swarms of Flies
172) Israel Set Apart
173) How Far Are You Willing to Go
174) Seeing the Invisible God
175) Although Exempted - The Israelites Still Had to Endure
176) Go & Serve Your God - Wait A Minute...
177) The God of Israel vs The Egyptian Bull Cults
178) Pharaoh's Hard Lesson
179) The Plague of Boils
180) Pharaoh's Plagued Heart
181) God tells Pharaoh - You Owe Me Everything!
182) Pharaoh's Sympathizers
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