What was the second plague?

The second plague that struck Egypt was indeed frogs, and it’s a pretty fascinating episode in the Exodus narrative. Imagine frogs hopping around everywhere — in the fields, homes, and even going so far as to disrupt meals! This vibration of nature taking over human space tends to highlight not just a story of judgment but also a pushback against the Egyptian worship of animals, among them the goddess Heqt, who was represented by a frog.

The sheer number of frogs couldn’t have just been a little hopping annoyance; this would have been an overwhelming sight and sound, causing both chaos and disgust. Just picture the Egyptians trying to get a bit of grub -- I can’t imagine how pleasant eating would have felt with frogs leaping in your soup!

Interestingly, there's another layer to deeper insights with this plague. Frogs have represented fertility, renewal, and transformation in various cultures, and here they’re serving as a rough reminder of how the Egyptians misplace their faith. This brings the focus back around the themes at the heart of the plagues: the call to recognize and turn from the paths down which the heart strays.

And in a mind-boggling twist reminiscent of seemingly simple tricks in literature, after the frogs die, they become a source of stench, revealing the stark transition from chaos to quiet disappointment. The sights, sounds, and smells weave a rich tapestry of symbolism that engages both the heart and mind in understanding power dynamics and reverence for the divine throughout human history.