Exodus 8:16-18 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron to strike the dust with his rod, and it will become lice, throughout all the land of Egypt.” 17 So Moses and Aaron did as God commanded, and suddenly lice infested the entire nation, covering the Egyptians and their animals. 18 Then the magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed.
The third plague, lice, could mean either lice, fleas or gnats based on the Hebrew word (Keenim). The insects, the third of the plagues, are described in Exodus as annoying parasites which attacked both humans and livestock.
The Lice
These insects usually measure about two millimetres and are therefore visible to the naked eye. Under the lens of a microscope, they seem translucent and yellowish brown in colour.
This translucence means that their blood and internal structure can be observed. At the end of their legs, they have curved claws which enable them to grip the hair or clothing. Their antennae are short, and they have tiny eyes. They undergo no metamorphosis or bodily changes during the course of their lifespan.
They lay eggs (known as nits) which stick together and cluster in the hair or clothing. Each individual can lay some 10 eggs a day
The scientific explanation is that frogs typically eat insects; without them, the fly population could have exploded. However note that for the first time the magicians in Egypt could not match this miracle.
The Magicians
The Egyptian sorcerers admitted their inability to replicate the lice epidemic, recognized the lice outbreak as the act of the a superior power, "the finger of God."
However, Pharaoh refused to listen to the testimony of his own subjects, and hardened his heart. The scepticism of certain people seems limitless, even when they are presented with substantial evidence.
The magicians were able to come up with counterfeit blood and frogs. We don't know why this time they couldn't match the actions of the finger of God. In my personal opinion the animals where unknown to them. Older translations of this text use the word lice, more recent ones use gnats. The debate is open because a plague of insects that attacks both men and animals and potentially flies is not a common insect of the region.
Counterfeit Miracles
The counterfeit has a limit that God does not
2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
Are there places in my life where I have allowed the counterfeit to sit with the real?
Matthew 24:24, Jesus warns, “For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”
The Bible does not give specific instructions on how to recognize counterfeit miracles. The Bible does, however, give specific instructions on how to recognize counterfeit messengers.
Miracles can be counterfeited. That is why God points us to His Word. Signs and wonders can lead us astray. God’s Word will always light the true path
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