Question 1

What happens in the plague of lice in this passage?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, God tells Moses to have Aaron stretch out his rod and strike the dust of the land. When Aaron does this, the dust becomes lice on people and animals all over Egypt. It is a direct act of God, not something that grows slowly or naturally. The whole land, as far as the Egyptians are concerned, is filled with these tiny, painful pests. This follows right after the plague of frogs, showing that God can send one trouble after another when His warnings are ignored.

Question 2

What does it mean that the dust became lice?

Accepted Answer

The wording shows that God used the very dust of the earth as the starting point for this plague. Normally lice come from filth and unclean bodies, not from dry soil. Here, God makes them appear from the dust itself, which shows His power over creation. Even something as low and common as dust can become a tool in His hand. The picture is that there are so many lice it is as if all the dust has turned into them, covering people and animals and bringing shame and discomfort.

Question 3

Why could the Egyptian magicians not bring forth lice?

Accepted Answer

The magicians try to copy this sign with their enchantments, as they did with the earlier plagues, but this time they simply cannot. God allows them to go only so far, then He stops them. Their failure exposes their limits and shows that their past wonders depended on what God permitted. They cannot produce even this “small” creature when God restrains them. Their tricks cannot match God’s power, and they are left helpless while lice remain on people and animals, with no relief from their arts.

Question 4

What does the phrase “This is the finger of God” mean here?

Accepted Answer

When the magicians say, “This is the finger of God,” they are admitting that this plague comes from a power far above their magic. It is a picture of God needing only His “finger,” a small act of His strength, to stop them and send the lice. They are saying, in effect, “This is something only God can do.” Even though they do not confess the true God in a full way, they still have to acknowledge that what is happening through Moses and Aaron is beyond human skill or trickery.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about Pharaoh’s hard heart?

Accepted Answer

After the magicians admit that this is God’s work, Pharaoh still refuses to listen. He does not pay attention even to those he trusted before, who now tell him this is the finger of God. His heart is hardened, just as God had said it would be. This shows that seeing signs and suffering judgment do not automatically change a person. When someone resists God’s warnings again and again, the same events that could have humbled them can instead make them more stubborn and set against God.

Question 6

What does this passage show about God’s power over creation?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that every part of creation answers to God. He can bring frogs from the water and lice from the dust. Even the smallest insects obey His command and become His army against those who oppose Him. People may trust in their strength or in hidden arts, but God can use what seems weak and low to pull down pride. It also shows that He has control over evil powers, allowing them to act only within the limits He sets, and stopping them with ease when He chooses.

Question 7

Why is the plague of lice both painful and shameful for Egypt?

Accepted Answer

The lice would have been very irritating, biting and clinging to skin and hair. They affected both people and animals, so there was no easy escape. But beyond the discomfort, there was shame. Egypt was proud and powerful, yet now even its rulers and priests are covered with tiny insects. Being overcome not by a mighty army but by lice humbled their pride. It showed that God could disgrace them with what they considered low and contemptible, and their high status could not protect them from His judgment.

Question 8

How does this passage expose spiritual deception?

Accepted Answer

Before this plague, the magicians seemed to stand on equal ground with Moses and Aaron, copying some of the signs and giving Pharaoh a reason to ignore God’s command. In the lice plague, their power comes to a sudden stop. They try but cannot produce lice, and they are forced to admit this is God’s work. This breaks the illusion that their arts are equal to God’s power. It shows that what looks impressive for a time can be emptied in a moment when God decides to reveal what is real and what is false.

Question 9

What was happening in Egypt when God sent the lice?

Accepted Answer

This plague comes after God has already turned the Nile to blood and filled the land with frogs. Each time, Pharaoh has refused to let Israel go or has gone back on his word. Though he has had chances to change, he hardens himself again. The lice come without a fresh warning recorded, almost as if the short break after the frogs was itself a warning that he ignored. So God sends another judgment quickly, showing that when His patience is despised, more severe troubles can follow.

Exodus 8:16

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

The Third Plague: Gnats

Cross References

Exodus 8:16

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

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The Third Plague: Gnats

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