Topical Bible: Insects: Lice

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, lice are primarily mentioned in the Old Testament as part of the plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt. The account of lice is found in the Book of Exodus, where it is described as the third plague that God sent through Moses and Aaron to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.

Biblical Account:

The plague of lice is recorded in Exodus 8:16-19. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the passage reads:

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron, "Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it will become lice throughout the land of Egypt."' They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the earth, lice came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into lice throughout the land of Egypt. The magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, but they could not, and the lice were on man and beast. 'This is the finger of God,' the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

Significance:

The plague of lice was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrated the power of God over the natural world, as the very dust of the earth was transformed into a living nuisance that affected both humans and animals. This transformation from dust to lice symbolized the divine authority and control over creation, emphasizing that God could manipulate the elements of the earth to fulfill His purposes.

Secondly, the inability of the Egyptian magicians to replicate this plague marked a turning point in the narrative of the plagues. While they had been able to mimic the first two plagues (water turned to blood and frogs), they could not produce lice, leading them to acknowledge, "This is the finger of God." This admission highlighted the limitations of human power and the supremacy of the God of Israel.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In ancient Egypt, cleanliness and hygiene were highly valued, and lice would have been considered a severe affliction, disrupting daily life and religious practices. The presence of lice would have rendered individuals ceremonially unclean, preventing them from participating in religious rituals and temple activities. Thus, the plague of lice not only caused physical discomfort but also spiritual and societal disruption.

Theologically, the plague of lice served as a judgment against the Egyptian gods and their supposed powers. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and religion, demonstrating the impotence of their deities compared to the God of Israel. The plague of lice, by affecting both man and beast, underscored the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and His ability to affect all levels of creation.

Interpretation and Lessons:

From a conservative Christian perspective, the account of the lice plague is a testament to God's sovereignty and His willingness to intervene in human history to accomplish His divine purposes. It serves as a reminder of the futility of resisting God's will, as seen in Pharaoh's hardened heart, and the ultimate triumph of God's plans over human obstinacy.

The account of the lice also encourages believers to recognize the signs of God's hand in their lives and to respond with humility and obedience. It illustrates the importance of acknowledging God's authority and the consequences of ignoring His commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 8:16
And the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 105:31
He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

Death.
... of animals which roam among them, and the millions of millions of insects which
buzz ... and He took also the locust-swarms, and the frogs, and the lice, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xviii death.htm

The Struggle for the Life of Others
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/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vii the struggle for.htm

Little Sins
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/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm