Then the Lord spoke to Moses: Early tomorrow morning present yourself to Pharaoh when he sets out toward the water, and say to him: Thus says the Lord: Let my people go to serve me. 17 For if you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your servants and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and the very ground on which they stand will be filled with swarms of flies. 18 But on that day I will make an exception of the land of Goshen, where my people are, and no swarms of flies will be there, so that you may know that I the Lord am in the midst of the land. 19 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow. 20 This the Lord did. Thick swarms of flies entered the house of Pharaoh and the houses of his servants; throughout Egypt the land was devastated on account of the swarms of flies. 21 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go sacrifice to your God within the land.” 22 But Moses replied, “It is not right to do so, for what we sacrifice to the Lord, our God, is abhorrent to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice what is abhorrent to the Egyptians before their very eyes, will they not stone us? 23 We must go a three days’ journey in the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord, our God, as he commands us.” 24 Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord, your God, in the wilderness, provided that you do not go too far away. Pray for me.” 25 Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you I will pray to the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, his servants, and his people. Pharaoh, however, must not act deceitfully again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 26 When Moses left Pharaoh, he prayed to the Lord; 27 and the Lord did as Moses had asked, removing the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, and his people. Not one remained. 28 But once more Pharaoh became obstinate and would not let the people go.
In the fourth plague, God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh again, warning him of the consequences of refusing to let the Israelites go to worship the Lord. The fourth plague brings swarms of flies, devastating Egypt but sparing the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live (Ex 8:18–19). This distinction emphasizes God's sovereign power and His special covenant relationship with His people.
Pharaoh responds by offering a compromise, suggesting the Israelites sacrifice within Egypt, but Moses refuses, explaining that their worship would offend the Egyptians (Ex 8:22). Pharaoh then allows them to leave but requests prayer for relief. When Moses prays, God removes the flies entirely, demonstrating His control even over nature. However, Pharaoh once again hardens his heart and refuses to release the Israelites (Ex 8:28).
In Egyptian mythology, Kephri, the god of insects and transformation, and Geb, the god of the earth, were thought to control the natural environment. By unleashing and then removing the swarms of flies, God reveals the impotence of these deities. Sparing the land of Goshen and saying to Moses, “so that you may know that I the Lord am in the midst of the land” further emphasizes God’s power to protect and favor His covenant people, challenges Pharaoh's claim to divine authority over Egypt (cf. Ex 5:2), and makes a sharp distinction between Israel and Egypt (Ex 8:18–19).
Just as God demonstrated His power over the flies, Christ proved his authority over nature through His miracles (Mk. 4:39; Mt. 14:25). God sparing the Israelites in Goshen prefigures Christ’s prayer for His followers in John 17:15: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one." Pharaoh’s hardened heart is echoed in the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus despite His miracles (John 12:37–40).
Almighty God, You revealed Your power and faithfulness by protecting Your people and demonstrating Your sovereignty over all creation. Grant us hearts that are not hardened but open to Your will. Strengthen our faith in Your care and guide us to worship You in spirit and truth. This we pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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