The Third Plague: Annoying Little Bugs

Sermon 18 in Series

Exodus 8:16-19
[16] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” [17] And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. [18] The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. [19] Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. (ESV)
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   So far, how have the plagues led you to greater trust, prayer, and awe? How have they addressed idolatry in your life?
2.   How does this passage highlight God’s initiative and our obedience? How do words like “And they did so” push the story forward both then and now?
3.   What was the third plague, and how did it affect the Egyptians? How does the reference to “man and beast” anticipate future destruction?
4.   What did the magicians realize in the third plague? What is Pharaoh’s response?
5.   How does Pharaoh here serve as an illustration of fallen humanity? What does this say about the unbeliever’s need for more “evidence”?
References:Genesis 2:7; Exodus 9:9, 19; 12:12; 31:18; Psalm 8:3; Luke 11:20.

Exodus,  Egypt,  Pharaoh,  Moses,  Aaron,  Plagues,  Judgment,  Idolatry,   God’s Word
God’s Power
Obedience
Evidence
Human Sinfulness
Self
Rebellion