MPV Commentary

20-24. Moses was instructed to meet Pharaoh early in the morning while he was walking by the Nile and repeat his request for Israel's liberation. He threatened that if Pharaoh refused again, God would send swarms of flies to cover every house from palace to cottage. However, as a demonstration of God's power, the land of Goshen would be exempt from this plague. The appeal was just as futile as before, and the predicted evil occurred in the form of various types of flies (Ps 78:45), including the gad fly, cockroach, and Egyptian beetle. These insects were extremely destructive, inflicting painful bites on animals and destroying clothing, books, and plants. The ancient Egyptians worshipped these winged creatures as deities, particularly the beetle. This judgment must have been a painful and humiliating experience for them while strengthening the faith of the Israelites in their God.

25-32. Pharaoh called for Moses and proposed that he allow the Hebrews to engage in their religious rites within any part of the kingdom to alleviate the plague. However, true to his instructions, Moses refused this arrangement, citing a valid reason for its danger. The king eventually agreed to let them have a brief holiday across the border but requested that Moses ask God to remove the plague. Moses promised to do so, and the plague was lifted the following day. Nevertheless, as soon as the pressure was over, Pharaoh's spirit returned to its usual obstinacy, and he refused to let the people depart despite his previous promise.