Exodus 8:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God within the land."

NIV: Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land."

NASB: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, 'Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.'

CSB: Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go sacrifice to your God within the country."

NLT: Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. 'All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,' he said. 'But do it here in this land.'

KJV: And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.

NKJV: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.”

The Lord intends His people to be set free from slavery (Exodus 3:10). Egypt's king, Pharaoh, has resisted God's commands (Exodus 5:1–4) despite repeated plagues caused by divine means (Exodus 7:13, 23; 8:13–15, 18–19). Egypt now faces a crippling infestation of flies. There are so many bugs that they cover the ground, getting into everyone's homes and food. That includes Pharaoh's own home and servants (Exodus 8:24).

As with the plague of frogs, Pharaoh attempts to negotiate with Moses and Aaron (Exodus 8:8). Moses accepted the first such deal (Exodus 8:9) because it would have allowed Israel to simply leave. Faced with flies, Pharaoh doesn't offer freedom. He merely said the people could sacrifice within their land of Goshen (Genesis 45:10). This would let the Israelites offer sacrifice to God but remain under the control of Egypt. This is unacceptable. One reason Israel initially settled in Goshen was so they could work as shepherds without offending the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34).

When Moses suggests this problem (Exodus 8:26–27), Pharaoh implies that Israel can leave Goshen but must stay nearby (Exodus 8:28). Moses agrees, knowing Pharaoh will continue to resist every step towards Israel's liberation (Exodus 1:11–14; 3:19–20).

Exodus 8:20–32 presents the fourth plague in response to Pharaoh's continued resistance to Israelite freedom. This involves droves of insects: possibly flies or the larger, biting horseflies. The Hebrew word simply means "swarms." There are so many flies that they even cover the ground. This time, Israelite territory is specifically exempt from the disaster. That restriction further removes doubts that this was an unplanned coincidence. Pharaoh seems willing to allow some measure of freedom for Israel, but quickly changes his mind.

After Pharaoh ignores the first plague (Exodus 7:20–23), God sends a swarm of frogs. Pharaoh's magicians can summon frogs, but they can't get rid of them. So, he appeals to Moses. Though the plague is lifted, Pharaoh re-jects the command to release Israelite slaves. This leads to a plague of gnats and then one of flies, with similar results. The arrival of these creatures might have been caused by the corruption of the Nile River, but only God's supernatural work could make them disappear. Future plagues will be increasingly severe (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22; 10:4, 22; 12:29–32).

Moses and Aaron offered a sign to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10–13), but he still refused to release the Hebrew slaves (Ex-odus 1:11–14). This triggered the first of the ten plagues of Egypt: turning water into blood (Exodus 7:20–21). This chapter includes the next three disasters: frogs, gnats, and flies. Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to concede each time. Upcoming plagues will escalate (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22, 10:4, 22), leading to the death of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) and Israel's release (Exodus 12:41).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.