The Biblical
narrative on the third plague is not very extensive when compared to that of
the first two plagues. In Genesis, God had formed man out of the dust of the
earth and breathed into him the breath of life. In Exodus 8 God, out of the
very same dust, created gnats to invade the land of Egypt as punishment upon
the sons of disobedience. From the very same dust God, in His infinite power,
was able to create man-the pinnacle of His creation-as well as gnats, the
lowliest of creation. There are many types of gnats found in the natural
environment; some are harmless while others have the ability to bite or sting. The gnats clung to man and beast and were a
great source of torment, hence one can reasonably assume that the gnats that
invaded Egypt were of the biting or stinging variety.
The magicians of
Egypt, try as they might, were neither able to reproduce the sign nor were they
able to reverse it. “This is the Finger of God!” they exclaimed to Pharaoh.
However, Pharaoh once again hardened his heart against the sign and Egypt was
left to suffer once more.
Scripture refs: Exodus 8:16-19
