And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.
Moses left Pharaoh's presence and went out to entreat the Lord for the removal of the swarms of flies. The prayer came after Pharaoh, while under chastening, had promised to let Israel go three days' journey into the wilderness to sacrifice, only not very far away, and had asked Moses to entreat for him. Before going out, Moses had promised that the flies would depart from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people on the morrow, while warning Pharaoh not to deal deceitfully any more by refusing to let the people go to sacrifice.
In answer to Moses' entreaty the Lord ended the plague of flies. The removal was done according to the word of Moses and was complete, so that not one swarm remained. Afterward Pharaoh hardened his heart at that time also and refused to let the people go.
The episode exposed Beelzebub, worshiped as the fly-god and trusted to protect Egypt from swarms, as unable to control the flies or give relief. The ending of the plague at Moses' bidding directed the people to seek protection from Jehovah instead.
Moses left Pharaoh's presence and went out to entreat the Lord for the removal of the swarms of flies. The prayer came after Pharaoh, while under chastening, had promised to let Israel go three days' journey into the wilderness to sacrifice, only not very far away, and had asked Moses to entreat for him. Before going out, Moses had promised that the flies would depart from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people on the morrow, while warning Pharaoh not to deal deceitfully any more by refusing to let the people go to sacrifice.
In answer to Moses' entreaty the Lord ended the plague of flies. The removal was done according to the word of Moses and was complete, so that not one swarm remained. Afterward Pharaoh hardened his heart at that time also and refused to let the people go.
The episode exposed Beelzebub, worshiped as the fly-god and trusted to protect Egypt from swarms, as unable to control the flies or give relief. The ending of the plague at Moses' bidding directed the people to seek protection from Jehovah instead.