Frogs and Egyptians

Frog Fest is this Saturday at Crowder Park. It also happens to coincide with Gavin's birthday and for a brief second we considered heading over there for the frog festivities. But then we came to our senses and remembered the following equation: A beautiful Saturday + frogs + thousands of little boys = chaos. 

Kristi and I recently saw a movie that had frogs in it. Towards the end of this particular film frogs began raining down from the sky. It was a shower of frogs. Actually, it was more like a hailstorm of frogs. As they were falling and splattering everywhere I kept thinking, "How in the world are they going to explain this?" The filmmakers never did, but it did make me think about the Egyptians.

In Exodus the second plague that God sent upon the land was one of frogs. I don't think they fell from the sky, but they swarmed everywhere. They were in beds and bedrooms, ovens and other various cutlery. I can't help but think though that there were many a Hebrew and Egyptian boy who were excited about this plague. The adults, I'm sure, were incredibly annoyed, and understandably ready for the frogs to be gone from their lives. But boys love frogs. Ole Beans from Cheaper by the Dozen is proof.

I like frogs alright. I could deal with a plague of frogs, I think. But I don't like snakes. I couldn't begin to handle a plague of snakes. Can you imagine snakes falling from the sky out of a thunderstorm? It gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it. I have a lot of bad dreams that involve snakes. I'm with Dr. Jones here. I can't imagine being in the wilderness when God sent the snakes to the people of Israel. I would not have done well with "fiery serpents" slithering through my sleeping bag.

There was once an encounter with a snake in my sister's barn, but that's another story for another time.

I went frog-gigging a few times when I was younger. Looking back now, I really think those late night expeditions were a rite of passage for me. I admit, I did freeze up my first time, that flashlight reflecting in those innocent eyes hypnotized me as well, and a few tears leaked out when I finally managed to gig me a frog. Those legs were tasty though. I wonder if the Egyptians did any frog-gigging? Or if they were just ready for the gnats to arrive.

Now that I've thought about it; maybe we'll take the boys to Frog Fest after all.