“And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.”
In this verse, we witness the confrontation between Moses and Aaron, representing God, and the Egyptian magicians who were skilled in various magical arts. God had commanded Moses to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he refused to heed the request. As a result, God began to send a series of plagues upon Egypt.
The second plague was the infestation of frogs. God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the rivers, canals, and ponds of Egypt, and the land was filled with frogs. However, the Egyptian magicians, through their enchantments, were also able to bring up frogs upon the land.
This particular plague, like the others, was significant in multiple ways. It demonstrated God’s power over creation, as He commanded the frogs to invade Egypt. It also served as a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods, as they were symbolically associated with frogs. The magicians’ ability to mimic the plague may have given Pharaoh a false sense of security and further hardened his heart.
It’s important to note that although the magicians were able to replicate this particular plague, their power was limited compared to God’s. They could not reverse or stop the plagues that God sent upon Egypt. Each plague increased in severity, causing escalating suffering and devastation, ultimately leading to the liberation of the Israelites.
Overall, Exodus 8:7 highlights the ongoing confrontation between the power of God and the limited abilities of human magicians. It reveals God’s sovereignty over creation and His determination to free His people from oppression, even in the face of resistance and skepticism.
