Pharaoh refused to let Israel go, so God sent frogs over all Egypt. Pharaoh begged Moses to pray, and the frogs died, but Pharaoh hardened his heart. Then Aaron struck the dust and it became lice (gnats); the magicians could not copy this and said, This is God's finger. Next came swarms of flies, but God made a distinction: no flies came to Goshen where Israel lived. Pharaoh offered compromises, Moses prayed, the flies left, and Pharaoh hardened his heart again.
1Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Yahweh says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
2If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
3The river will swarm with frogs, which will go up and come into your house, and into your bedroom, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
4The frogs shall come up both on you, and on your people, and on all your servants.”’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
5Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
6Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
7The magicians did the same thing with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat Yahweh, that he take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Yahweh.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
9Moses said to Pharaoh, “I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
10Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
11The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
12Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to Yahweh concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
13Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
14They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
15But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and didn’t listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
16Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
17They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
18The magicians tried with their enchantments to produce lice, but they couldn’t. There were lice on man, and on animal.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
19Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
20Yahweh said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is what Yahweh says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
21Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground they are on.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
22I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am Yahweh on the earth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
23I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign shall happen by tomorrow.”’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
24Yahweh did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses. In all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
25Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
26Moses said, “It isn’t appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Yahweh our God. Behold, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, won’t they stone us?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
27We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he shall command us.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
28Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray for me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
29Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you. I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; only don’t let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Yahweh.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
30Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
31Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
32Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn’t let the people go.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org
Worksheets
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2Look over the worksheet
3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.
Pharaoh would not let God's people go. So God sent frogs! Frogs came out of the river. They hopped into houses, beds, ovens and bowls. Pharaoh asked Moses to pray to God to take away the frogs. He promised to let the people go. Moses prayed, and the frogs died. But Pharaoh changed his mind.
Next, Aaron hit the dust, and it became tiny biting bugs called lice. Pharaoh's magicians tried to do the same, but they couldn't. They said, This is God's finger!
Then God sent swarms of flies. But there were no flies where God's people lived. God was protecting His people. Pharaoh still said no.
Memory Verse
“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.”
Exodus 8:19 (WEB)
Show What You Know
Circle the right answer, or write it on the lines.
Where did the frogs go?
What did Pharaoh ask Moses to do?
What did the dust become?
What did the magicians say?
Where were there no flies?
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
God said, Let my people go. If Pharaoh refused, God would send frogs over all the land. Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters, and frogs covered the land. The magicians did the same. Pharaoh called Moses and asked him to pray to Yahweh to take away the frogs. He promised to let the people go. Moses let Pharaoh choose the time: Tomorrow. Moses said, That you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God. The frogs died and were gathered in heaps. But when Pharaoh saw relief, he hardened his heart.
Aaron struck the dust with his rod, and it became lice on man and animal throughout Egypt. The magicians tried with their secret arts but could not. They said, This is God's finger. But Pharaoh would not listen.
God sent swarms of flies on Egypt, but He set apart Goshen: I will put a division between my people and your people. Pharaoh said, Sacrifice to your God in the land. Moses said they must go three days into the wilderness. Pharaoh agreed, but only if they didn't go far, and asked Moses to pray. Moses prayed, and not one fly remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.
Memory Verse
“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.”
Exodus 8:19 (WEB)
Answer the Questions
Why did Moses let Pharaoh choose the time?
What did Pharaoh do when he saw relief?
Why did the magicians say This is God's finger?
How did God protect Goshen?
What compromise did Pharaoh first offer?
Story Order
Write what happened in each box.
1
2
3
4
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
The frogs, lice and flies showed that God controls all creation, even tiny creatures. Frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt, and even Pharaoh's magicians could not take them away.
The magicians finally admitted they couldn't match God. They said, This is God's finger. Even small acts of God are beyond human power.
God made a distinction between Egypt and His people. He protected Israel in Goshen. Pharaoh kept making promises and then breaking them when the trouble ended.
Show What You Know
What did the plagues show about God?
What did the magicians admit?
How did God treat His people differently?
What did Pharaoh do when trouble ended?
Think About It
Pharaoh only wanted God when he was in trouble. How can we keep following God when life is easy?
How does God's power over tiny creatures show His care over every detail of your life?
Memory Verse
“Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God.”
Exodus 8:10 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
The second plague brought frogs. They invade Pharaoh's palace, bedrooms and ovens. When Pharaoh begs for relief, Moses lets him name the time so it will be clear that the answer comes from Yahweh: that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God.
The third plague, lice or gnats from the dust, comes without warning. The magicians fail and confess, This is God's finger. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this expression of His own power over demons (Luke 11:20). Pharaoh's own experts recognize God's hand, but Pharaoh refuses to listen.
With the fourth plague God introduces a new element: I will put a division between my people and your people. Goshen is spared. Pharaoh begins bargaining: worship here in Egypt, or don't go very far. Moses refuses to compromise, because God's command was clear. Each time relief comes, Pharaoh breaks his word. This shows that temporary fear is not the same as true repentance.
Show What You Know
Where did the frogs go?
Why did Moses let Pharaoh choose the time?
Where does Jesus use the phrase God's finger?
What new element came with the fourth plague?
What does Pharaoh's pattern show?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
Godfrogslice
The second plague brought .
The third plague, or gnats from the dust, comes without warning.
With the fourth plague introduces a new element: I will put a division between my people and your people.
Think About It
Why do you think Moses refused Pharaoh's compromises?
What is the difference between being sorry you got caught and truly repenting?
Memory Verse
“Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God.”
Exodus 8:10 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
How can you be someone whose word can be trusted?
How can you pray for people who oppose you?
How can you remember God's help once a problem passes?