LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Tuesday 28th April 2026

A DIVINE JUDGEMENT

Scripture Reading: Exodus 8

And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt._ Exodus 8:17

When Aaron struck the rod in his hand against the dust of Egypt, a miracle of transformation took place. The dust turned into lice. 

The word that is translated as lice in this passage occurs only here and in Psalm 105:31. In other translations, it is rendered as ‘gnats’ – winged biting insects. Some scholars believe the insects involved were mosquitos – our good old anopheles’ friends!

Whatever the real nature of these ‘lice’ were, they were a plague. A plague that covered the land; like the way that a sandstorm would cover the land. The plague covered every part of Egypt where there was dust on the ground. It was pervasive. 

1.   On man and beast.

This is the first plague to touch the people directly. The first and second plagues affected the people but did not touch them directly. These insects covered the bodies of the people and stuck them. The effect of the plague went beyond human beings and touched the animals of Egypt. 

2. The plague struck without warning.

 Before anyone could say ‘hi’ they had insects on their bodies. It was so much so that, if you dared to speak, the insects would probably flood your mouth. This plague shows us the nature God’s judgment.

The severity of God’s judgment.

It is severe to come under God’s judgment. Those who take the bible’s warnings of judgment lightly do so to their eternal peril. 

 The extent of God’s judgment.

God can touch every place He has created with His judgment. No one can hide from God’s judgment.

May the Lord help all the people of our world to come to the redeeming grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and escape His judgment.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me not to take your warnings for granted. Deliver my soul from your judgments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.