What is the context?
At God’s command Aaron strikes the dust with his staff, and gnats come upon people and animals throughout Egypt. The Hebrew word translated gnats has also been understood as lice. Brown–Driver–Briggs records that uncertainty; the point of the account is an infestation the magicians cannot reproduce.
Their earlier imitations have now reached a limit. They tell Pharaoh that this is the finger of God, acknowledging a power beyond their own. Pharaoh still does not listen. Even the failure of the people he called to oppose Moses does not change his refusal.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The shared reading sees the magicians’ failure and admission as exposing the limits of their power. Calvin, Wesley and the Catholic USCCB notes all understand the finger of God as recognizing divine power at work beyond what they can match.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The expression finger of God returns in Luke 11:14–23. When Jesus is accused of driving out demons through their ruler, He says that if He does it by the finger of God, God’s kingdom has come upon His hearers. Matthew 12:28 describes that work as being by the Spirit of God.
The language provides a connection between the power recognized in Egypt and the power displayed through Jesus. In Exodus, the magicians admit that they have reached their limit; in the Gospels, Jesus’ victory over demons announces the arrival of God’s kingdom.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.