Exodus 8:12 is a pivotal point in the narrative of the plagues in Egypt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh": This signifies the conclusion of their audience with Pharaoh. Pharaoh, in his distress caused by the plague of frogs, had finally relented and asked Moses and Aaron to plead with Yahweh to remove the frogs. Leaving Pharaoh indicates they are acting on his request and are fulfilling their promise to intercede.
"Moses cried to Yahweh concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh": This is the heart of the verse. It shows Moses' direct communication with God (Yahweh is God's name revealed to Moses). "Cried" suggests a sincere, earnest, and possibly loud plea. He is asking God to remove the very plague that God himself had brought upon Egypt. This highlights a few important points:
God's Sovereignty: Moses acknowledges that the plague of frogs was brought about by Yahweh.
Moses as Mediator: Moses acts as an intermediary between God and Pharaoh. He intercedes on Pharaoh's behalf, even after Pharaoh has resisted God's commands.
Conditional Judgment: The verse implies a conditionality to God's judgment. While God inflicted the plague, he also offered a path to relief through repentance (even though Pharaoh's repentance proves to be temporary).
In essence, Exodus 8:12 illustrates God's power to bring plagues, Moses' role as an intercessor, and the possibility of relief through prayer in response to even a reluctant Pharaoh's request. It also sets the stage for Pharaoh's subsequent broken promises and the escalation of the plagues.
Exodus 8:12 is a pivotal point in the narrative of the plagues in Egypt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh": This signifies the conclusion of their audience with Pharaoh. Pharaoh, in his distress caused by the plague of frogs, had finally relented and asked Moses and Aaron to plead with Yahweh to remove the frogs. Leaving Pharaoh indicates they are acting on his request and are fulfilling their promise to intercede.
"Moses cried to Yahweh concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh": This is the heart of the verse. It shows Moses' direct communication with God (Yahweh is God's name revealed to Moses). "Cried" suggests a sincere, earnest, and possibly loud plea. He is asking God to remove the very plague that God himself had brought upon Egypt. This highlights a few important points:
God's Sovereignty: Moses acknowledges that the plague of frogs was brought about by Yahweh.
Moses as Mediator: Moses acts as an intermediary between God and Pharaoh. He intercedes on Pharaoh's behalf, even after Pharaoh has resisted God's commands.
Conditional Judgment: The verse implies a conditionality to God's judgment. While God inflicted the plague, he also offered a path to relief through repentance (even though Pharaoh's repentance proves to be temporary).
In essence, Exodus 8:12 illustrates God's power to bring plagues, Moses' role as an intercessor, and the possibility of relief through prayer in response to even a reluctant Pharaoh's request. It also sets the stage for Pharaoh's subsequent broken promises and the escalation of the plagues.