Overview
The plague of lice (or gnats) struck Egypt when Aaron stretched his staff over the dust of the land, and the dust became lice throughout Egypt. This plague affected both people and animals, covering all the land. Notably, this was the first plague the Egyptian magicians could not replicate, forcing them to acknowledge God's power.
Key Scriptures
"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron to stretch out his staff and strike the dust of the ground, and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become lice.'" (Exodus 8:16, NIV)
"They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the ground, lice came on people and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became lice." (Exodus 8:17, NIV)
"But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere, the magicians said to Pharaoh, 'This is the finger of God.'" (Exodus 8:18-19, NIV)
Application
God's sovereignty extends over all creation, and even small things declare His glory and power to those willing to acknowledge His authority.