The Plague of Frogs and Pharaoh The book of Exodus is about Israel’s “exit” from Egypt. Yet, before their departure God convinces Pharaoh to let His people go. As Moses first asks Pharaoh to release the Israelites the Pharaoh refuses. However, after a series of plagues, Pharaoh allows Israel to depart. One of the ten plagues was an infestation of frogs. The conversation surrounding this plague is intriguing!

Plague of Frogs and Pharaoh The Lord says to Pharaoh, –“Let My people go, that they may serve Me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs” (Exodus 8:1-2). Pharaoh refuses and the frogs come (8:3-7)! Pharaoh calls for Moses and says, –“Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and…my people; and I will let the people go…” (8:8). Moses replies to Pharaoh, –“Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only” (8:9). Pharaoh’s answer? –“Tomorrow” (8:10).

Striking Similarities It is easy to point out fingers at mean, old, crazy Pharaoh. Yet, most of us have a little bit of Pharaoh in ourselves! Are there times… –We know God wants us doing something? –We refuse and make excuses and would rather pursue our own selfish interests? –We tell ourselves “I’ll do what I want a little longer, then I’ll do what God wants.” If so, then we’ve engaged in the “one more night with the frogs” philosophy! Consider what this mindset entails…

One More Night of Sin One more day of waiting to ask God for help, meant one more day of Pharaoh’s rebellion! The longer we put off doing God’s will, the longer we hold on to sin! What sin in your life are you clinging onto while telling yourself you’ll change later? Temptation will always be there…we must choose to overcome it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do you think it is the Father’s will that we ignore Him now and obey Him later? –John 8:11 –Romans 6:11-12 –Hebrews 11:24-26 God’s Word speaks and we must obey (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Otherwise, we sin (1 John 3:4; James 4:17).

One More Night of Sin’s Effects Can you imagine Pharaoh that night? He could not walk, talk, sleep or eat without thinking about frogs (see Ex. 8:3-4). Sin often causes us great harm. It can hurt us and others physically… –Violence, abuse, waste leads to poverty… It can harm us and others emotionally… –Verbal abuse, sins of the tongue –Division/strife… It harms us psychologically… –Guilt, shame, regret –Sleeplessness, worry… It ruins us spiritually (Rom. 6:23; Jam. 1:14-15)!

One More Night of Excuses Pharaoh’s promised commitment grew cold over time (Exodus 8:15). The result for Pharaoh and Egypt was more plagues to come! Yet, how often do we do the same thing? –We consider obeying God realizing He is the answer to many of our problems. –Yet, once our problems subside we have more excuses and delayed commitments. Usually, as a result, we are only multiplying the sin in our lives and using God as a crutch. God does not want to hear, “I’ll follow you…” with conditions (Luke 9:57-62). How long will we make excuses for…?

One More Night of Assumption Pharaoh’s answer to Moses of “Tomorrow” carries with it an assumption. He assumes there will be a “tomorrow.” We can never be so sure we will have “tomorrow” to fix our lives! –Proverbs 27:1 –James 4:14 For this reason, we need to act decisively to get right with our Maker today. –Matthew 21:28 –Hebrews 3:7-8 It is one thing to leave our chores undone until tomorrow and another to leave our soul!

One More Night of Unbelief Ultimately, Pharaoh’s greatest problem was his own unbelief in God. –Why else would he ignore God’s warnings unless He disbelieved His power? –Plague after plague, God is proven true and Pharaoh is forced to let God have His way! Yet, not before Pharaoh lost his own son in the tenth plague (Exodus 12:29-32). Through God’s Word and those who teach it God tries to bring us back to Him! –Yet, we ignore as if it is all a mere fairy tale! –By ignoring Him we prove an unbelief in God. To those who ignore, remember this: God never made a promise He did not keep! –Hebrews 2:1-4

The Philosophy in Summary Pharaoh’s “one more night with the frogs” philosophy means… One More Night of Sin One More Night of Sin’s Effects One More Night of Excuses One More Night of Assumption One More Night of Unbelief

Will our answer to God’s call be “tomorrow” or “today?” Acts 2: John 1:9