Exodus 8

“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God’” (v19).  The plague of frogs over all the land was something that Pharaoh’s magicians could imitate (v7); however, when gnats invaded, the magicians could do nothing (v18).  They saw plainly that Moses’ God, the God of the Israelites, was more than spirit-world manipulation, and they proclaimed this to Pharaoh.  But he “hardened his heart” and refused to yield, preferring to see his land and people destroyed rather than submit.

“Plead for me” (v28).  Like Pharaoh, many people want God to remove their problems but don’t want to know Him.  When we surrender ourselves to His loving authority, we receive much more than temporary relief.