Ten Plagues: God's Playbook Embedded Within the Judgment Plague of Wild Beasts
How great are Your works, O God! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Psalm 104:24
Are Disasters a Judgment?
I have gleaned that there is much curiosity about when we shall see the End of Days in earnest. God's Word is an intricate and layered communication system. It is not many truths, but one Truth. With each season in our life we see deeper layers of Truth to equip us to share the Gospel of hope and to prepare us for the battles we are to encounter. God's playbook is embedded in the Ten Plagues of the Exodus and this includes the timetable. In my biblical studies, I confess, that I touch upon the ten plagues each year. In my haste and to my detriment I never lingered to fully absorb the detailed messages that God was subtly conveying!
Discerning and astute readers have inquired if their local climatic disasters and 'plagues' are a judgment by God. This question began to intensify around the years of Hurricane Katrina. There was much discussion whether these hurricanes were natural phenomena or judgment. I can say with confidence that these phenomena are judgment. If you entertain that they are natural occurrences one is engaging in the same position that the Egyptians sorcerer's took, that this is not an affliction by God but merely natural phenomena. In carrying out my duties, I witnessed the evil spirits going into the disaster management agency(ies) and watched as compassion during disaster was replaced with an agenda towards depopulation. Without elaborating, there are incestual relationships within the marbled halls, especially behind closed doors.
Proverbs 30:19 describes the snake as being beyond comprehension. Nothing strikes more terror in the heart of man that an attack by wild beasts. Our look at the Ten Plagues of the Exodus spans the early account of God making the animals from the dust, Adam naming them, to the wicked and lawless beasts of judgment contained in Revelation. The New Pharaoh of Exodus likened the Hebrew women as wild beasts although they were merely fulfilling the God's command to be fruitful and multiply. Therefore, the next set of plagues begins with the plague of wild beasts.
As I pen this article Netflix has just released an uncanny movie called IO as in the letters '1' and 'O' but in dual symbology it can reference 10 plagues, as the movie most assuredly has biblical overtones alluding to the 10 Plagues of the Exodus.
The Restrainer
One of the most riveting bible studies I have ever heard was about the End of Days and the the attack of the wild beasts. Because we are created in the Divine Image of God God made them to fear us. God provided us with two souls our spiritual soul and a bestial or fleshly soul. As these days progress mankind will increasingly forgo his spiritual soul for a bestial soul. When one behave solely in the flesh the animals no longer fear him, for they think of him as just another prey..
Before we explore further, let's go back to the beginning, in Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:2.
In Genesis 1:28 God gave dominion over the animals but it was in harmonic governance.
In Genesis 9, God said The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.
"Those creatures that are any way hurtful to us are restrained; so that tho' now and then man may be hurt by some of them, yet they do not combine together to rise up in rebellion against man" writes Wesley.
This is why you can train a dog, use domesticated animals for your own use, and see marvelous creatures doing tricks at amusement parks and circus's. They do not rebel against us because they are restrained.
And this lesson pertains for us today for Second Thessalonians admonishes us that Jesus Christ is coming and He is gathering His saints. We will see, hear and experience judgments that have potential to shake our mind as a fig tree, but we are not to be troubled in our spirit, the words we hear, or letter or testimony for the day of Jesus Christ is at hand.
Just as in the days of the Plague of Wild Beasts, and currently the beast have fear and dread of mankind in their nature so too, the Restrainer is holding back the evil tide the restrainer reveals the mystery of iniquity.
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders II Thessalonians 2: 7-9
Imagine what it will be like when God removes the restraint completely and allows animals to willfully rise up and attack.
What is a Wild Beast?
According to the Bible wild animals are those that possesses life and describes their vitality in contrast with domesticated animals that have the connotation of raw material that bends to mans will.
In the creation account the bible refers to the beast of the land refers to all animals except domestic animals. On occasion the prophets used to describe carnivores as seen in Ezekiel 34:28:
They shall no longer be a spoil for the nations, and the beasts of the land shall not devour them; they shall dwell secure and untroubled.
Surprisingly, the beast of the field refers not to farmland animals but to the wilderness. It can be a general term for all wild animals. It can also reference wild carnivores such as grizzly bears often in context of desolation, falling prey, threat to humans, and victimization.
All you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest. Isaiah 56:9
Beasts of the forest those animals which roam the forests at night to hunt.
the bests of the forest are Mine; the behemoth on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the crawlers of the field are subject to Me. Psalm 50:10-11
Webster's Dictionary: We glean that those beasts are irrational animals hence the phrase wild beast. Figuratively speaking: a brutal man; a person coarse, filthy, or vulgar, brutal, acting in a manner unworthy of a rational creature and contrary to the rules of humanity and dignity of man.
The mention of beasts is found throughout Holy Scripture. Animals are oftentimes participants in events described in the narrative. Animals were addressed in various laws and rituals contained in the Bible.
Animals provide us with inspiration describing the beauty and harmony of the natural world and its inhabitants. The wonder of animals can be found in their extraordinary aspects, rich diversity, and sheer numbers.
When God was addressing Job in response to his terrible suffering God intended to demonstrate His providence over the animal kingdom in order to impress upon Job and to us that there is a plan and purpose to existence, even if it is not apparent to us.
Animals are oftentimes used as symbols and metaphors in Scripture. The prophets often made use of the imagery of animals or their symbolic value. The pages of scripture come alive as they describe bestial images of destruction, various peoples and nations, even God Himself likened unto certain animals.
As a shepherdess, I can attest through my interactions with the beasts of the field and forest and each diverse animal the pages of scripture come alive as I am educated through the animals. For instance, one way of read Job 35:11 is:
He teaches us from the animals of the land, and the birds of heaven. He makes us wise.
Identifying the Beasts
Why did God have Adam name the creatures? It is at this point we begin to see distinction between man and beast. The idea of distinction will be critical during the Plague of Wild Beasts and will be again so as the prophetic events of Revelation unfurl. We need to know who is man and who is beast. That may sound simplistic, but today the line has been blurred between man and beast.
There is a system of classification that embodies folk taxonomy and scientific taxonomy. For the record, taxonomy has been altered to include new life forms not formed by God and includes demonic and embodied spirits.
In the scientific, phylogenetic system, animals are based upon anatomical features.
The biblical system classified according to external appearance, habitat, and relationship to man. Biblical zoology began during the seventeenth century.
Terrestrial animals are divided into kinds of domestic animals, wild animals, creeping or swarming animals-including reptiles, rodents and small carnivores. Then, there are insects and invertebrates. Another kind contains birds and bats. Then there are the winged insects that are distinct from the terrestrial insects. There are also the aquatic creatures. Lastly, the most dangerous of creatures are the forbidden mixtures of creatures, hybrids that have been engineered throughout the ages using the Dark Arts or magic from the nephilim. As we enter proceed through the End of Days we may see a new kind within the modern word, reanimated extinct species, as mankind brings Jurassic Park to life. Within the bible there are also types such as types of dogs or birds.
This contrasts sharply with the international governing bodies (UN) who in 2005 published the Terrestrial Animal Health Code where they categorize creatures only if they live on land or water. They label man as an animal and have made provisions for the marking and tracking of all animals. The Code, as it is now referred, is over 500 pages and there are three volumes. It is updated each year. This Code defines, in their own view, and agenda, what are plagues, infestations, and epidemics.
Emissaries of God-Wild Beasts
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
–Revelation 6:8
Most of us are familiar with domestic animals but wild beasts capture our imagination and instill a subconscious fear of the unknown. The closest we come to the wild kingdom are zoos with a myriad of strange, curious, and odd creatures.
One of God’s judgments is wild beasts. Imagine God stalking you as a predator:
He was unto me as a bear lying in wait,
and as a lion in secret places.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces:
he hath made me desolate.
He hath bent his bow,
and set me as a mark for the arrow. Lamentations: 3:10-12
“For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?” Ezekiel 14:21
This was true 4000 years ago in Israel.
Matthew Henry in his commentary says the following: Hurtful beasts, noisome and noxious, either as poisonous or as ravenous. God can make these to pass through the land (v. 15), to increase in all parts of it, and to bereave it, not only of the tame cattle, preying upon their flocks and herds, but of their people, devouring men, women, and children, so that no man may pass through because of the beasts; none dare travel even in the high roads for fear of being pulled in pieces by lions, or other beasts of prey, as the children of Bethel by two bears. Note, When men revolt from their allegiance to God, and rebel against him, it is just with God that the inferior creatures should rise up in arms against men.
Modern man scoffs at the idea of wild beasts being anything but a trivial inconvenience. The Bible however predicted such scoffers, their scorn and their ultimate reward of judgment if they do not repent.
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2 Peter 3:3-4
The Lamb
I am sure that you have encountered a person or persons who have sorely tested your patience. I am constantly amazed at the long-suffering of the Lord. In our prayer time we desire instant gratification and favor for our prayers, but it is not always in the best interest of all parties concerned. And so too, it is, even for the Egyptians, God's long-suffering leaves them without excuse.
The Egyptians worshiped the constellation Aires, the male Ram (lamb). Sheep were considered so sacred to them that they refrained from eating lamb. This is important for three reasons;
Deep within the being of the Egyptians they were drawn to the Lamb, but knew Him not.
This is why shepherds were detested, consequently, the Hebrews were sent to Goshen which would be their protection.
Sacrificing sheep and other animals would be an abomination to the Egyptians which is why the whole dialog took place on where the Hebrews could go worship God.
Is isn't it ironic that the Egyptians worshiped the celestial and physical created lamb but were blind to the divine Lamb of God?
Military Operation: Swarms of Harmful Creatures
This viral video shows rats acting in a serpentine manner
These swarms being their assault in a military type siege. The strategy is remarkable.
- The water supply is destroyed by blood
- The trumpets are sounded to terrorize as the frogs croaked
- Arrows and infantry of vermin and wild beasts are unleashed against the enemies of God
- After this the lancers enter the battle with pestilence
- The enemy is bombarded with burning projectiles which boiled the skin
- Artillery throws the hail with fire
- The main army of locusts is sent into the battle
- The enemy is pinned down in their positions by darkness
- Lastly, there are executions.
There is dispute regarding creatures of the fourth plague in the original language.
One view denotes flies while another denotes a mixture of wild animals. Some say dog-flies, others-blood-suckers, while others say a mixture of snakes, insects, or hornets. One other view is that it plays on the Egyptian word for scarab or dung beetle. Other sources say an invasion of one or all of the following: wolves, panthers, boars, eagles and other birds, scorpions, and there is even one belief of giant squid-like creatures. While that might seem prosperous think of the articles that I have written about jelly fish and DARPA's robotic jellyfish. Psalm 50:8-13 indicates that it refers to all large animals including: bullocks, goats, cattle and birds.
Josephus in Antiquities would take the verse in Psalms 78:11: He sent the wild beasts and it ate them.
The attack is directed in this order:
- Pharaoh (retribution would begin with him)
- His officials
- The Egyptian people
- Egyptian homes (typically predators do not enter human habitations)
The original language for I will send is a causative verb carrying with it the implication of a stimulus or provocation by God arousing the animals to the Egyptian territory. In their natural state predatory animals hide from man in forests and caves or by burrowing into the ground and so Scripture says,:
The sun rises, they slink away, and couch in their dens. Psalm 104:22
But God sets them out on a mission, He provokes them against man, drawing them out of their lairs to devour prey. And I will send them the beasts of the field among you. Leviticus 26:22
With the advent of the plague of mixture of wild animals it might have appeared to some that the Almighty had removed all natural barriers, boundaries,
and distinctions. Animals of completely different natures, some inherently inimical to each other, were now roaming around together. Huge throngs of creatures attacked the palaces of Pharaoh and his officials and throughout Egypt the land was devastated.
We are all familiar with plagues such as plague or Black Death- as in bubonic, Swine Flu and Dengue Fever and Malaria and all the other diseases. One such plague is loosed in Revelation 6 as the 4th seal is opened will be wild beasts.
It’s been regularly reported that wild animals are not only extending their habitat, they are invading urban spaces.
Stories of big cats, bears and coyotes are a regular feature of many city and suburban environments now.
- Dogs attacking people
- Deadly cats
- Warning! Cow Attacks
- I Survived a Mountain Lion Attack
- Bear Attack
Image by Celeste
While not a person or in the city my husband and I had an encounter with a black bear that attacked our petite goat Malkah. We had put the goats in the barn for the night and next thing I knew I saw goats flying in every direction from the picture window. I ran to the barn where I saw poor little Malkah. The bear had pierced her jugular vein and blood was running our like a faucet. Her neck was shaped because bears oftentimes try to break the neck of their prey. Upon closer examination I discovered 250 bites, scrapes, punctures, and other wounds. Here is her story.
God Distinguishes His People
The fourth plague, the mixture of wild animals, was not intended primarily to show the impotence of Egypt's deities and sorcerers, so it was not necessary that it affect all inhabitants alike.
In this first plague of the second set God miraculously distinguishes His people in Goshen from the Egyptians. Hear the Word of the Lord! I will therefore make a distinction between My people and your people. You will then realize that I am God, right here on earth.
The word for distinction in the original language is literally the word for redemption. It is very interesting that it can also mean a division, barrier, or partition, as in border.
Consider the wondrous exploit as God confines the wild beasts exclusively to Egyptian territories and reserves a safe haven for His people in Goshen. Swarms of beasts are migratory in nature and so they had to be constrained. This is a comfort to us as prophetic events come to pass, He does provide refuge for His people.
This illustrates to us the marked contrast of the chaos of Egypt engulfed with wild beasts and the serenity of Goshen, the land of God's people.
A word to the wise, any man-made partition such as artificial intelligence (AI) or any of our feeble attempts to keep life in our comfort zone (normal) is useless against the mixture of wild beast under the command of God.
Moses left...entreated God. He prayed with all of his strength. This term is only used again with the Plague of Locusts both plagues disappearing without a trace. This shows the power of prayer.
Swarms of Beasts for Thought
https://shepherdsheart.life/blogs/news/ten-plagues-gods-playbook-embedded-within-the-judgment-plague-of-wild-beasts
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