Frogs, frogs, everywhere

Exodus chapters 7-11 give an account of what we now refer to as the Ten Plagues. Mighty and wonderous acts of God’s power, displayed against the Pharaoh of Egypt and his people and land so that by realizing the might of the Hebrew God, Pharaoh would let the Israelite people go from captivity. The plagues recorded were: the water turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and ultimately the death of the firstborn of Egyptian families.

               I can only image the pain and torment that the people of Egypt endured due to the hardness of heart of Pharaoh. In a culture and society where the Pharaoh was believed to be, and even thought himself to be a god, the people and the land itself was ‘plagued’ because of his actions and disbelief.

               As many times as I have read this account of the exodus out of Egypt, which is a key element of the Old Testament and a primary event in the history and religion of the Israelite people, the plague of frogs captures my attention the most.

               Overall I have never had any real issues with frogs. Kermit is my favorite Muppet, and even Jeremiah was a bullfrog, and was a good friend of mine.

               As far as plagues go, frogs don’t seem so bad. Not so bad at least until I read the Scripture again: “The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs” (Exodus 8:2-3)

               Now that’s a lot of frogs. Not Kermit or Jeremiah frogs, but slimy-nasty-uncatchable-wart-infested amphibians. That’s not a pretty picture. Frogs in your bed, in your underwear drawer, in your cereal box. Frogs, frogs, everywhere. And no end in sight.

               And then Pharaoh wanted the frogs gone. Duh, of course he did! So he sent for Moses and asked him to pray to his God to get rid of all these frogs and then he would the Israelite people go. So Moses said “when do you want me to do this so that all these frogs are gone?”

               “Tomorrow”, Pharaoh said. (Exodus 8:10)

               Huh? What? Tomorrow? There are frogs everywhere Pharaoh! You can’t even walk without stepping on a frog…squish…squish…squish. PETA would be outraged. The Egyptian people are a little confused. But Pharaoh is apparently OK with another night of frogs in his bed instead of doing what God wants done. I would have never said “tomorrow”, I would have said “right NOW!”

               But then I think…how many times has God asked me to do something, and I have said “tomorrow”? Oh, it’s never been as drastic as having millions of frogs jumping around me, that would make the situation seem easier. But I don’t think that God has ever asked me to do anything that I considered easy.

               Forgive.

               Pay rent for that family who can’t pay theirs this month.

               Go on your church mission trip.

               Start every day in prayer and Bible reading.

               Love that person who you don’t even like.

               Tomorrow sounds like such an easier answer. But as we read the story of those plagues, God’s will prevailed, regardless of what Pharaoh said or did. And God’s will prevails today also. Regardless of what we say or do. It’s just a matter of are we going to be in line with God’s will, or against it?

               Do you feel that God is calling you to do something? Don’t be a Pharaoh. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Pray for the frogs to be taken away today, and say yes to God’s calling right now. Not tomorrow, not later today, but now.