Exodus 8:20-32
A Distinction in the Land
Read the passage
20Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh goes out to the water, stand before him and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
21But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies.
22But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.
23I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’”
24And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials. Throughout Egypt the land was ruined by swarms of flies.
25Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within this land.”
26But Moses replied, “It would not be right to do that, because the sacrifices we offer to the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. If we offer sacrifices that are detestable before the Egyptians, will they not stone us?
27We must make a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He commands us.”
28Pharaoh answered, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.”
29“As soon as I leave you,” Moses said, “I will pray to the LORD, so that tomorrow the swarms of flies will depart from Pharaoh and his officials and his people. But Pharaoh must not act deceitfully again by refusing to let the people go and sacrifice to the LORD.”
30Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD,
31and the LORD did as Moses requested. He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not one fly remained.
32But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The LORD tells Moses to rise early and meet Pharaoh by the Nile. He commands Pharaoh to let his people go so that they may serve him. If Pharaoh refuses, swarms of flies will come upon Pharaoh, his servants, his people, and their houses.
The LORD says that on that day he will set apart the land of Goshen, where his people dwell, so that no swarms of flies will be there. Pharaoh will know that the LORD is in the midst of the land and that he makes a distinction between his people and Pharaoh's people.
The flies come into Pharaoh's house and his servants' houses, and the land is ruined because of them. Pharaoh summons Moses and offers to let Israel sacrifice in the land. Moses refuses because their sacrifice would be offensive to the Egyptians and because God has commanded them to travel into the wilderness.
Pharaoh agrees to let them go a short distance, but asks Moses to plead for him. Moses warns Pharaoh not to act deceitfully again by refusing to release the people after relief comes. Then he prays, and the LORD removes every fly. Pharaoh hardens his heart again and does not let the people go.
The distinction protects Israel, but Pharaoh still tries to negotiate the terms of their worship. Deliverance is not a favor Pharaoh may ration; the people belong to God and must be free to serve him.
Questions
1 What distinction does God make during the plague of flies?
AnswerGoshen, where His people live, has no swarms of flies. The rest of Egypt suffers from them. God says this will show that He is the LORD in the land.
2 Why does Moses reject sacrifice within Egypt?
AnswerHe says the sacrifices would be detestable to the Egyptians and could provoke stoning. Israel must travel into the wilderness and worship as God commands.
3 What does Moses warn Pharaoh before praying?
AnswerNot to act deceitfully again by refusing to release the people after the flies are removed.
4 What happens after Moses prays?
AnswerGod removes every fly, but Pharaoh hardens his heart and does not let the people go. The king breaks his promise despite receiving the relief he requested.
What This Means for Us
Pharaoh tries to decide how far obedience to God will be allowed to go. Moses holds to the command he has received. There are choices where meeting halfway would mean keeping the very wrong that needs to end.
We should examine our own obedience with that in mind. An apology that leaves the harmful behavior untouched, or an offer of help used to keep control over someone, does not make things right. Be honest about what you have promised and what God requires. Let the people affected see a real change in how you act.
Prayer
LORD, protect people under oppression and expose compromises that keep control in the hands of the powerful. Give us discernment, courage, and respect for the freedom to worship and obey you. Amen.
Your reading
Keep your place.
Save this passage to your private reading history.
Sign in to save your reading