Exodus 8:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We must go three days ' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us."

NIV: We must take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, as he commands us."

NASB: We must go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God, just as He commands us.'

CSB: We must go a distance of three days into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he instructs us."

NLT: We must take a three-day trip into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, just as he has commanded us.'

KJV: We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us.

NKJV: We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He will command us.”

After rejecting Pharaoh's offering to sacrifice to the Lord in the land of Goshen (Exodus 8:25–26), Moses said Israel was obligated to go a full three days' journey into the wilderness. This was part of God's original command to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:18–20; 5:1–4). Pharaoh has resisted so far (Exodus 7:13, 23; 8:13–15, 18–19), knowing full well the Israelites won't be coming back (Exodus 1:11–14).

Sacrifice, including animals, was part of worship of God since Adam and Eve left Eden (Genesis 4; 8:20; 31:54). Abraham sacrificed animals to the Lord (Genesis 15:8–10). In a famous incident, Abraham prepared to obey God's test regarding the sacrifice of his only son, Isaac, though God stopped him before it took place (Genesis 22). Jacob offered sacrifices before entering Egypt (Genesis 46:1).

It appears that animal sacrifices to the Lord had not been permitted during the entire time the Jews lived in Egypt. At the very least, none are recorded. The connection between leaving the land of Egypt and offering sacrifices to the Lord is strong. Physical and religious liberty are intertwined in the Jewish mindset. Their physical slavery also limited their ability to freely worship God (Exodus 5:7–9).

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.