Too Many Gnats

Exodus 8:16-19

This is the third Plague and this one hits a little different

Though the first two were different from each other, how they played out was very similar

We see a change Here

The New International Version Chapter 8

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.” 17 They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came on people and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. 18 But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not.

Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere, 19 the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.

Unlike the previous 2 plagues, this one came without warning.

No giving of an option to let the people go and worship God

He had already promised he would and back tracked on it.

Aaron followed God’s command, struck the dust with the staff and these gnats were everywhere

on man and beast they covered everything.

the word used for gnats is kinnim

this same word is used for gnats and mosquito,

some have called them lice or sand fleas as well

therefore, this could be gnat or mosquito or one of the others or a combination.

a common gnat known to the area are also gnats that sting.

any way this would be miserable.

Now recognize something here

we were expecting to be overrun with locust this year.

we are fortunate enough here that it didn’t happen

how many saw pictures or videos of Ohio wit all the locust they had there?

That was a lot, they were all over people and buildings

but notice what the Scripture says here.

All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats

This is one of the many dust storms that frequently hit Egypt

Now picture each particle of dust in this picture is a gnat

It is often hard to grasp how difficult some of these plagues made life for these people at this time.

Another difference in this plague is that it doesn’t come from the water

meaning this plague helps to show the true God’s authority over the god of the desert, Seb.

Then we have a key point to look at.

The Magicians were unable to duplicate this miracle!

Three times the magicians were able to perform acts that seemed to mach that of Moses and Aaron.

Now we have pointed out that these were smaller acts and God’s power was revealed in it

None the less, They were able to do them

But not this time.

this time they were unable to duplicate this point.

Not only could they not do it, they also finally recognized themselves that the power of Moses and Aaron’s God was superior

They stated, “This is the finger of God”

We get this same reference later in Exodus 31:18 with the writing of the 10 Commandments when it says

The New International Version Chapter 31

When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Jesus also uses this phrase in Luke 11:20

This a way of expressing that it comes from the power of God.

And this was a lesson the king, the magicians and the people of Egypt needed to learn

They needed to see and recognize that it is one God, the true God that has this control and power

not many gods

At this point we have seen that Moses, Aaron and now the magicians have come to recognize the power and Glory that comes from God

so what about the Pharoah?

His heart was hard.

He would not listen to his magicians as they tried to tell him the truth!

Though the Magicians recognized that it was supernatural and beyond their abilities, they did not know God

Though they said it was by God’s power that this happened, they still did not understand who God was.

This is a common theme for non-believers today.

So many recognize there is something supernatural out there.

There is something that has power beyond our understanding.

but they fail to recognize who that is.

they don’t realize that this “man up stairs”

this “big guy”

this “mother nature”

this “the universe”

Whatever other name they give Him

They don’t recognize who they should really be talking about and giving credit to

is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The God of Moses

The God of the Universe

There is only one who has power above any other power

Here’s the best part

it is not our job but our joy to share that with them

to let them know who He is

Not just with our words, but with our actions

with love

Because here is the truth.

Sooner or later all will acknowledge His sovereignty and power, EVEN HIS ENEMIES!

We should want to share Him with everyone to give as many opportunity for people to turn to Him here while they have the chance

While lovingly serving others we are to spread the truth

this plague shares the truth that God controls all things, even the dust of the ground.

Here is a list of things that God has power and control over

all particles

all forces

all matter

all atoms

all protons

all neutrons

all cells

all energy

all electrical impulses

all electrons

all chemicals

all gas

all DNA

all life

Believers, lets share with others the true God,

The creator

The savior

The redeemer

the judgment

the beginning and the end

Invitation