Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 8
Brief outline of Exodus 8: This chapter describes three of the
ten plagues that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the
Israelites. God instructs Moses to warn Pharaoh that if he refuses to let the
Israelites go, a plague of frogs will infest Egypt. Despite Pharaoh’s initial
plea for relief, he hardens his heart once the frogs are removed. God commands
Aaron to strike the dust with his staff, turning it into gnats that infest
Egypt. The Egyptian magicians are unable to replicate this plague and
acknowledge it as the work of God, but Pharaoh remains obstinate. God warns
Pharaoh of a plague of flies that will affect only the Egyptians, sparing the
Israelites in Goshen. Pharaoh temporarily relents but hardens his heart again
once the plague is lifted.
Lessons from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
St. Gregory
vividly describes the plague of frogs as a horde of noisy and unpleasant
amphibians that leaped into every nook and corner of Egyptian homes, beds, and
storerooms, but they did not affect the life of the Hebrews. As the frog
thrives in marshy areas, St Gregory uses it as a metaphor to denote the evil
born from the corrupted hearts. This imagery suggests that evil actions and
their dire consequences, depicted by these relentless "frogs,"
overrun the lives of those who walk a corrupt path, much like how the frogs
invaded Egyptian homes but spared the Hebrews.
A despicable,
sinful life exhibits amphibian and ambiguous qualities. Such a person is a
human by nature but a beast by passion. Such person’s sordid life will be
visible everywhere in their life - in their bed, on their table, in their
storeroom, and throughout their house.
St. Gregory
emphasizes that the table of a prudent individual is pure, suggesting that they
lead a disciplined, moderate, and refined life. Their choices, including their
eating habits, reflect wisdom and self-control. While the one with ‘frog’ like
characteristics symbolizes one who is a glutton, indulges in excess and lacks
refinement. This comparison implies that excessive indulgence leads to a coarse
and unrefined nature, lacking the virtues of moderation and prudence. The house
of a sinful person is filled with things that ignite sensual passions, while
the house of a virtuous person is carefully kept pure from such influences. He
emphasizes that one can discern the character of a person by what they value
and allow in their household.
In St.
Gregory’s imagery, the storehouse represents an individual’s personal life. A
person with a nature likened to that of a frog tends to be secretive, as their
personal life conceals even larger quantities of frogs. This means that
examining such an individual's private life would reveal significant impiety
which remains concealed from their public life.
When Moses
stretched forth his hands on the Egyptians' behalf, the frogs were instantly
destroyed. St. Gregory invites us to contemplate the image of Moses—the
lawgiver with outstretched hands—and reflect on Jesus Christ, the True
Lawgiver, with outstretched hands on the Cross. Just like the Egyptians were
freed from the plague of frogs when Moses stretched out his hands, we are saved
from the "sordid and frog-like thoughts" represent sinful thoughts or
behaviours by the power of Cross.
When
the people gathered the dead frogs in heaps, the land stank (Exodus 8:14).
Similarly, when the repentant person reflects on his former sinful ‘frog-like’
life, while striving to lead a virtuous one looking at the Cross, their soul is
repelled by foul, stinking memories. During such introspection, St. Gregory
advises recalling St. Paul’s admonition- “So what fruit did you then gain from
the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death.”
(Romans 6:21)
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. In what ways do I allow “frogs” (negative influences or sinful behaviours) to invade my life? How can I work towards purifying these areas? How do my daily choices, including my eating habits, reflect my level of self-control and moderation? What steps can I take to cultivate a more disciplined and refined lifestyle?
2. What items or influences in my home lead me away from a virtuous life? How can I create a home environment that supports my spiritual growth and aligns with the virtues of prudence, moderation, and purity?
3. Are there aspects of my private
life that conceal significant impiety or sinful behaviours? How can I bring
more transparency and integrity into my personal and public life?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 49-53. HarperCollins Spiritual Classics series. (Original translation published by Paulist Press, 1978)
Disclaimer: The content presented here is a
paraphrased summary based on my reading and understanding of the book cited
above and is intended solely for educational and devotional purposes during
Lent. They are not intended to replace the original work or represent the views
of the author or publisher. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original
book for a comprehensive understanding.
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