What was Pharaoh to learn in the removal of the frogs, at the prayer of Moses? That there was none like unto the Lord God. Did he learn it? No. When Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and harkened not as the Lord had said. What was the third plague? The dust of the land became lice upon men and upon beast, at the stretching out of Aaron's rod. What did the magicians say of this plague ? It is the finger of God. What led them to say this? Because they tried with their enchantments to bring forth lice, and they could not. Had this any effect on Pharaoh ? No. His heart was hardened, and he harkened not unto them, as the Lord had said. When did the fourth plague come, and what was it? On the next day, there came swarms of flies, on Pharaoh and his servants. What interesting event became a sign from the time of this plague ? The separation of the land of Goshen from Egypt, whereby Israel escaped from the judgments, which came on the Egyptians. What concession did Pharaoh make, when suffering under this plague? He said, go and sacrifice to your God, in the land. What answer did Moses give ? That he could not sacrifice in Egypt, but must obey God's word, and go into the wilderness. On what condition did Pharaoh promise to let them go? Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, only ye shall not go very far away, intreat the Lord for me." How were the flies removed? By the prayer of Moses, who intreated the Lord, and God did according to the prayer of Moses. Why did not Pharaoh obey God? Because his heart was hardened, by the deceitfulness of sin. CHAP. IX. What was the fifth plague? What difference did God put between the Egyptians, and the Israelites ? All the cattle of Egypt died, but of the cattle of the children of Israel did not one die. What was the sixth plague? Boils upon man and upon beast, and the magicians could not stand before Pharaoh, because of the boils. What is said of Pharaoh, under this plague? The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he hearkened not unto them, as the Lord had said. Why did God say he would send all his plagues on Pharaoh, and on his servants? That they might know, there is none like him in all the earth. What else did he say of his purpose in raising up Pharaoh? He said, In very deed, I raised thee up, to and that my name show in thee my power, What was the seventh plague ? The Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along, so there was hail and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous. What mischief did the hail do ? It smote all that was in the field, both man and beast, and broke every tree of the field. Did any of the Egyptians escape this plague ? Yes. They that feared the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh, made his servants and his cattle flee into the house, and they escaped. What land escaped? Only the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel dwelt, there was no rain. What did Pharaoh say to Moses? He said, I have sinned this time, the Lord is righteous, I and my people are wicked. Intreat the Lord, for it is enough, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail, and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. What reply did Moses make? As soon as I am gone out of this city, I will spread my hands abroad unto the Lord, and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more rain, that thou mayest know, how that the earth is the Lord's. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord. When Pharaoh saw that the hail and thunder ceased, what did he do? He sinned yet more, as the Lord had said. CHAP. X. What did God say to Pharaoh, before he sent the eighth plague ? How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me; let my people go, that they may serve me: else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to-morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast. What did Pharaoh's servants say to him? How long shall this man be a snare unto us: let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? |