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Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that God had immediately released another plague against the Egyptian kingdom after Pharaoh had reneged on his promise to Moses. Remember that Pharaoh was looking for relief when it came to the "plague of frogs" that the Lord had unleashed upon him and his kingdom.
So the Egyptian ruler told Moses that he would release the Israelites - so they could go and sacrifice to their God in the wilderness. Needless-to-say Moses would take Pharaoh at his word, and once again, do what Pharaoh had asked of him. But just like before, the Sacred Record reveals that Pharaoh would do the same, like before, after he had found relief. For he would once again, renege on the promise that he had made to Moses. And although Pharaoh was able to gain mercy from Moses interceding on his behalf, this relief wouldn't last, for we now find that God wouldn't let the Egyptian ruler off so easy. It would be at this time that the Sacred Record would reveal to us that the Lord without warning, would immediately unleash another "plague" against the Egyptian kingdom. And this particular "plague" dealt with God turning the dust of the earth into lice: "So the Lord said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt."' And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt." -- Exodus 8:16,17 And of course Pharaoh would be upset that the "God of Israel" had once again, bested one of his deities. But as we move forward, it would be apparent that Pharaoh would simply endure this current plague, while he tried to go about his daily business as usual. For we now find him back on the "Nile" when God instructed Moses on what he needed to do next: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.'"'" -- Exodus 8:20,21 Now when it comes to how the Egyptians viewed the "fly" - it was simply seen as a symbol of protection. For the Egyptians believed that this insect would protect them from things like illnesses, affliction and calamities. The "fly" wouldn't be connected to Military matters until later on in their history. Be that as it may, let's move forward... Now normally at this time I would point out which Egyptian deity that the Lord was targeting with the current judgment. But I must admit that I find it interesting that when it comes to the consensus of opinion that deals with this particular "recorded event" - no one Egyptian deity stands out. Sure you have the most common Egyptian deity that Bible scholars normally assigned to this "record" that is known as "Kheper the Beetle god." And although he was a very popular "insect god" during the time that the Egyptians had declared Egypt as a "New Kingdom" - the fact that he wasn't depicted as a "fly," just doesn't add up. Sure, you could just use a "vague term" and simply call him an "insect god" but I'm sorry, where's the fun in that? However that may be, you should also know that other Bible scholars have assigned the Philistine (Ekron) deity that was known as "Baalzebub (Beelzebub) the lord of the Flies" to this recorded event as well. But honestly, it's not certain that "Baalzebub" a god that was worship by the Philistines - was even recognized, or worshipped by the Egyptians at that time, or even at all. But there was an Egyptian deity that may have existed at the time that was known as "Uachit the Fly god" - but know that very little is known about this particular deity, and it's uncertain that the Egyptians actually worshipped a deity that had such a name. So since I'm not sure about "Uachit the Fly god", and being that "Baalzebub (Beelzebub) the lord of the Flies" was a Philistine (Ekron) deity. In my personal opinion, I'd probably stick with "Kheper the Beetle god." But this "recorded event" goes much deeper than what we're seeing on the surface of the "Sacred Text" - for I believe that we must go beyond that "surface" in order for us to be able to make not just a spiritual connection for today, but a natural one as well. Simply put, how do we connect, and apply this "recorded event" into today's world? Well for starters, we can begin by taking a closer look at what Pharaoh represented. Remember that some time ago, I'd pointed out that Pharaoh represented that part of mankind that's willing to mock, taunt, punish and persecute those who'd chosen to follow in the ways of the Lord. I'd also pointed out that he represented that part of humanity that believes that they don't need, or can survive without the One True God. And he also represented that part of the human race that would rather sacrifice their souls and serve in a world of corruption and deceit, instead of following and acknowledging the ways of God's Word So for example: When you have certain scientists who should be thanking God for being able to have an understanding and knowledge for things like: biology, physics and chemistry - they instead, hold their "science" up as their god. When you have those philosophers who should be thanking God for having great wisdom and reason, they instead, hold their "gifted minds" up as their god. When you have those humanitarians who should be thanking God for having a loving heart and the resources to be helpful to this world, they instead, hold their "good works" up as their god. When you have those physicians who should be thanking God for having the "skillful abilities" to take care of God's greatest creation - the human body, they instead, hold their "skillful abilities" and the position it brings, up as their god. When you have those entertainers who should be thanking God for their talents and gifts, they instead, hold the "fame & fortune" that their gifts and talents have earned them, up as their god. So on so forth... Understand that these are the Pharaohs' of today, and just like the Pharaohs' that have come before them, there will come a time, where those who have chosen to boast, and hold their accomplishments up before the world, while renouncing the very God that had given them the abilities to be able to be in such a position in the first place - will pay a heavy price naturally and eternally for their arrogance and pride. There will also come a time, that those who have sacrificed their souls, so they can be "propaganda tools" for the industry they're serving in - allowing themselves to be used against Jesus Christ and the people who have chosen to follow Him, they too, will pay a heavy price naturally and eternally. Know that nothing good comes from going against God, and ridiculing those who have chosen to follow the teachings of the Lord Jesus [Yeshua] Christ - nothing good at all. So I basically took the long way around to simply point something out, while asking the questions: "Does it really matter which Egyptian deity is assigned to this recorded event? Does it really make a difference when it comes to the lesson that's being learned behind it? The mere fact that the Egyptians had taken so much pride, and given so much respect to the "fly" to begin with - to where they'd tried to deify the insect, had now made it a direct target of the Most High God. Don't forget, it was because of God that the Egyptians were in the powerful position they now took pride in, and not the deities that the Egyptians were serving. And because of this, the Lord will challenge and bring down anything that the Egyptians had given credit to, when it came to their achievements and standing in the known world. Also keep in mind that Pharaoh had once openly mocked God and those who were following Him: "And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words." -- Exodus 5:8,9 You know, often times I wonder if Pharaoh ever regretted making such a statement? However in the next article, we'll find that God wasn't done when it came to Him instructing Moses on the "plague of flies"- know that the Lord will do something different with this plague, something that He hadn't done with the plagues He'd enacted before. And when this plague come to pass, will it be enough for Pharaoh to give in to Moses' demands, or will the Egyptian ruler continue to endure, while trying to outlast the judgment process?
**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**
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) God vs. Heket the goddess of Fertility 170) God vs. Geb the Earth god 171) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 172) Israel Set Apart 173) How Far Are You Willing to Go 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 179) The Plague of Boils 181) God tells Pharaoh - You Owe Me Everything! 
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