Exodus 8:16-19 (NKJV)

So the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ” And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.

The Egyptians have no god of lice; this looks like an insult to Geb, their god of the Earth.

http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/geb.htm

By striking the earth and having the dust of the earth turn into zillions of annoying bugs, Geb is shown to be useless. Moses and Aaron have the power over the earth. Furthermore, the Egyptian magicians don’t have this one in their bag of tricks.

So they do something surprising; they announce that this is a true miracle – the finger of God. They use the word Elohim here – God with a capital G. This is only plague number three and the magicians have already been converted. No excuses; no tricks. YHVH isn’t just a god; He’s the God.

Pharaoh is now alone in his refusal to see the obvious, and there are still seven plagues to go. It’s going to be a rough year.

This has a purpose; God is pounding the message home. This won’t end until the Egyptian religion is thoroughly demolished.

The LORD has a thing about other Gods.

The LORD’s priorities and His timing can be hard to accept. This is especially true when we’re suffering. It’s normal to dislike suffering and to want relief; any sane person would pray for deliverance.

But it’s distressing to pray for something that seems good and right, and see nothing in return. That’s the time to ask for His peace. Don’t stop praying for relief, or healing, or deliverance from trials; just add a “if that is not your will” section. Ask for some kind of understanding, even a glimpse of what He’s up to.

Choose someone specific to lift up for this. That someone can be you. Ask God to give hurting people His peace. Ask God to help them see His hand in things.

It’s comforting to know that an affliction isn’t pointless.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies