Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, flies are mentioned primarily in the context of plagues and as symbols of nuisance and corruption. The most notable reference to flies is found in the book of Exodus, where they are part of the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.Exodus 8:21-24 : "For if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials, your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies. But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’” And the LORD did just this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials; throughout Egypt, the land was ruined by swarms of flies." In this passage, flies are used by God as a tool of judgment against the Egyptians, demonstrating His power and the distinction between His people and those who oppose them. The plague of flies was the fourth plague and served as a direct challenge to the Egyptian deities, showcasing the impotence of the Egyptian gods in the face of the God of Israel. Flies are also mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastes, where they symbolize decay and the spoiling of good things: Ecclesiastes 10:1 : "As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." Here, flies are used metaphorically to illustrate how small, seemingly insignificant actions or elements can lead to the corruption of something valuable or esteemed. This imagery underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and wisdom, as even minor lapses can have significant negative consequences. In the prophetic literature, flies are again used as symbols of desolation and judgment. In Isaiah, flies are part of the imagery used to describe the coming judgment upon the land: Isaiah 7:18 : "On that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the farthest streams of the Nile and for the bee in the land of Assyria." This verse uses flies to represent the invading forces that God will summon as instruments of His judgment. The reference to flies and bees highlights the pervasive and inescapable nature of the coming desolation. Throughout Scripture, flies are consistently associated with negative connotations, serving as instruments of divine judgment, symbols of corruption, and harbingers of desolation. Their presence in biblical narratives underscores the themes of God's sovereignty, the consequences of sin, and the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 8:22And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am the LORD in the middle of the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ecclesiastes 10:1 Isaiah 7:18 Library The Creation of Terrestrial Animals. The Immutability of God The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals. God's Approbation of his Works The Great Flood. Memories The Evil one Perceived his Great Humiliation, and Boasted Himself ... Law and Grace The Plagues God's World Resources What does it mean that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the fact that there are gay/homosexual animals impact the idea that homosexuality is a sin? | GotQuestions.org Is The Divine Comedy / Dante's Inferno a biblically accurate description of Heaven and Hell? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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