st. Sir Samuel
Baker, on the other hand, has said of modern Egypt that "it seemed as if
the very dust were turned into lice" (quoted in Speaker's Commentary _in
loco_).

Two features in this plague deserve attention. It came without any
warning whatever. The faithless king who gave his word and broke it
found himself involved in fresh miseries without an opportunity of
humbling himself again. He was flung back into deep waters, because he
refused to fulfil the terms upon which he had been extricated.

It must be understood that the act of Aaron was a public one, performed
in the sight of Pharaoh, and instantly followed by the plague. There was
no doubt about the origin of the pest, and the new and alarming prospect
was opened up of calamities yet to come, without a chance to avert them
by submission.

Again, it will be observed that the magicians are utterly baffled just
when there is no warning given, and therefore no opportunity for
pre-arranged sleight of hand. And this surely favours the opinion that
they had not hitherto succeeded by supernatural assistance, for there is
no such evident reason why infernal aid should cease at this exact
point.

It is a mistake to suppose that thereupon they confessed the mission of
the brothers. In their agitation they admitted that, on their part at
least, no divinity had been at work before. But they rather ascribed
what they saw to the action of some vaguely indicated deity, than
confessed it to be the work of Jehovah. Again it has to be asked whether
this resembles more the vainglorious structure of a myth, or the course
of a truthful history.

Nevertheless, their grudging and insufficient avowal was meant to induce
a surrender. But "Pharaoh's heart was strong, and he hearkened not unto
them." To this statement it is not added, "because the Lord had hardened
him," for this had not even yet taken place; but only, "as the Lord had
spoken."

_THE FOURTH PLAGUE._

viii. 20-32.

When the third plague had died away, when the sense of reaction and
exhaustion had replaced agitation and distress, and when perhaps the
fear grew strong that at any moment a new calamity might befal the land
as abruptly as the last, God orders a solemn and urgent appeal to be
made to the oppressor. And the same occurs three times: after each
plague which arrives unexpectedly the next is introduced by a special
warning. On each of these occasions, moreover, the appeal is made in the
morning, at