Sometimes when God answers prayer, the frogs stink a little. Sometimes God’s people suffer along with the wicked. The disaster may have ended, but the aftermath is very real. But what is the purpose?
Let’s back up to the beginning. Each year, we broadcast a completed sermon series overseas through the Hope For Today radio program. Having those manuscripts already in hand, we develop a study guide to go with the weekly broadcast. We call this the Hope Herald.
In this post, we’ll be exploring some thoughts that didn’t really fit with the existing sermon, None Like God, which will broadcast on April 20, 2023, Lord willing.
Frogs were the second plague God brought upon Egypt, following the water being turned to blood. That first plague showed the importance God placed on the words of His messengers. The life of the body is in the blood; the life of Egypt is the Nile. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, much more so when God speaks. So, God was serious, yet He was about to make a fool of Pharaoh and his magicians.
Exodus 8:1-15 – Our focus will be on Pharoah’s magicians and the children of Israel.
Pharaoh’s Magicians
The Word of God states that Pharaoh’s magicians, by enchantment, brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. This was no trick, no rabbit or frog leaping from a top hat. It was Satan at work.
On one hand, I marvel at their foolishness, creating more frogs, and making the problem worse. But then I realize, we do that, too. There are so many times we do foolish things, and make problems worse, just to prove something about ourselves. Yeah, we prove something, alright, and it isn’t good. Carnally appealing, spiritually damaging. Call on God next time. Be sure you’re looking for the right kind of help.
There was one important limit: The magicians could not end the plague. How many times do the wicked try something, and it gets out of control, and the consequences stick? Pharaoh’s choice stuck, and his magicians were powerless to stop it.
God alone had the power to stop a plague. And He could stop the magicians themselves from imitating His power in the following plague, lice.
The Children Of Israel
Did you know that the Israelites had to deal with the frogs, too? They also had to deal with lice and flies yet. It wasn’t until plague 5, the death of the cattle, that a separation was made.
Why suffer? Separation from Egypt and sin must happen first in the heart, then physically. Remember, even having escaped, Israel looked upon the foods and gods of Egypt with fondness. Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:4-6; Exodus 32:1-4.
As for the dead frogs, yes, there is a season on this earth when God’s children will suffer. But there is coming a time when judgment will fall on the wicked alone (see Revelation). Are you ready for that day? Or is your heart still in Egypt, in sin, in Sodom and Gomorrah, in this world?
I close with two excerpts:
“My God, I Thank Thee” by Adelaide A. Proctor, verse 3:
I thank Thee more that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.
Also, James 4:8.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
– Eric Druist
P.S. Regarding Pharaoh, regret smelled like dead frogs.