Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
The magicians excuse themselves by confessing that God's power has exceeded their art, yet notice the contradiction: they had claimed divine sanction in opposing Moses, so how could they now concede defeat to those same men and call it God's work? Their cunning blinded them. They thought magic a true science, much like the charlatans of our own day who peddle their follies with the boldness of the learned.
AI summary
The dust itself obeys God's command; He has infinite arrows in His quiver. When the magicians failed here, they had to confess "This is the finger of God", a divine power that has the devil on a chain, and stops him short with nothing but a gesture.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 8:16-19
And the Lord said unto Moses, rise up early in the morning,.... Of the day following, the twenty eight of Adar, or February, according to Bishop Usher; this was the fittest time to meet with Pharaoh, and the most likely to make impressions on him: and stand before Pharaoh: meet him as he comes along, and stop him, and stand before him as having something...