Exodus 10
From Theologica
The Plague of Locusts (10:1 - 10:20) Observation - 10:1 - Moses is commanded to go to Pharaoh yet again. - God has hardened Pharaoh's heart and the hearts of his servants. - God did this for the purpose of performing His miracles. 10:2 - The miracles are also for Moses' son and his grandson. This could easily apply to all Hebrews and thier offspring. - How God made a mockery of Egypt and how He performed miracles. - For the purpose of making sure Israel knew He is God 10:3 - Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh. - They ask him how long he will refuse to humble himself to God. - They command him to let God's people go. 10:4 - If Pharaoh refuses, Moses and Aaron tell him, God will bring locusts into Egypt "tomorrow" 10:5 - The locusts shall cover the surface of the land. - No one will be able to see the land because of their number - The locusts will eat what escaped the hail - They will eat every tree which sprouts out of the field. 10:6 - Everyone will be affected and all the houses and buildings will be full of locusts. - This will be a plague of locusts more severe than has ever occurred in the history of Egypt. - Moses leaves. 10:7 - Pharaoh's servants ask him how long Moses will be a problem for Egypt. - Their solution (not Pharaoh's) let the men go to worship. - They inform Pharaoh that if something is not done, Egypt will be destroyed. 10:8 - Moses and Aaron are brought back before Pharaoh. - Pharaoh gives Moses permission to leave, but then asks who will be going to worship. 10:9 - Moses says that all of Israel will be going, including the livestock. - Everyone will be going because a feast will be held in honor of the Lord. 10:10 - It appears that Pharaoh is saying that if he ever did allow everyone to go, then "peace be with you." - However, He says Moses is devising evil against him. 10:11 - He gives Moses permission to take the men to worship. Moses and Aaron are driven out of Pharaoh's presence. 10:12 - God commands Moses to "stretch out [his] hand over the land of Egypt" - This act will usher in the locusts. - The locusts are to come up on the land and eat every plant - Including everything the hail left. 10:13 - Moses obeys - God directs an east wind toward egypt all day and night. - In the morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 10:14 - The locusts came up on the land and settled there. - This severe of a plague had never happened to Egypt and never will again in the future. 10;15 - The locusts covered the surface of the whole land. - They were so numerous that the land itself was darkened - They ate every plant of the land and all the fruit of the trees that had not been damaged from the hail. - Nothing green was left on tree or plant of the field. 10:16 - Pharaoh "Hurriedly" called for Moses and Aaron. - States that he has sinned against God and against Moses. 10:17 - Pharaoh asks Moses to forgive him "only this once" - Asks him to make supplication on his behalf that He would remove the plague. 10:18 - Upon leaving Pharaoh, Moses makes supplication to God on behalf of Pharaoh. 10:19 - God shifts the winds from east to west to remove the locusts. - A strong west wind takes away the locusts and drove them into the red sea. - Not one locst was left in all of Egypt. 10:20 - But God hardened Pharaoh's heart. - Pharoah did not let Israel go.
Interpretation - - Is this the first instance of God desiring Israel to know He is God? - What must have it been like for Moses to go toi Pharaoh knowing that it was futile? Knowing that he heart was hardened and that he would not listen? - God was merciful to Egypt during the last plague and gave them a chance to repent. This time, God would judge the nation - It may be that some plants survived, but Egypt is going to be hungry for a while. - Pharaoh called the Locusts "this death" in 10:17 what significance is this? - the grains were the stuff of life at that time, and the locusts destroyed that source. They left only death. - The locusts stripped the land of its life
Application -
The Plague of Darkness (unannounced) (10:21 - 10:29) Observation - 10:21 - God commands Moses to "stretch out [his] hand toward the sky." - For the purpose of bringing darkness on the land of Egypt. - It is both a darkness which can be seen and one which can be felt. 10:22 - Moses obeys - Egypt is filled with darkness for three days. 10:23 - The Egyptians could not see one another. - The darkness was so complete that they did not even dare to stand and leave one's position - Israel had light in their homes. 10:24 - Pharaoh calls for Moses - Pharaoh gives Moses permission to go and worship - Does not give him permission to take the animals. - Pharaoh does give permission for all of the people to leave though. 10:25 - Moses tells Pharaoh that all of the flocks must go as well for the purpose of burnt offerings. 10:26 - Israel does not know what will be required for worship and so they desire to take everything with them. 10:27 - God hardened Pharaoh's heart. - Pharaoh is not willing to let Israel go. 10:28 - Pharaoh commands Moses to leave. - stating that the next time Moses sees Pharaoh's face, Moses shall die 10:29 - Moses agrees and says he wil never see Pharaoh's face again.
Interpretation - - What does the darkness represent? Does it represent anything? - Pharaoh has chosen to walk in darkness and God is allowing him to see what it is like. - Could be analogous to Pharaoh's choice to walk in the darkness of ignorance instead of believing the truth in front of him. ? Why would it be a tangible darkness? - Just to bring about more fear or seriousness of their situation?
? Does being a darkness which could be felt mean that it hindered or stopped the Egyptians' ability to feel as well as see? X - 2 Pet 2:9 "a people for god's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light." Peter must have been thinking about this event. X - Rev 16:10-11 Kingdom of the beast is darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of pain. They blasphemed because of their suffering. - The darkness could not have been too complete or Moses would have never been able to be summoned. - The darkness then may have been felt, but it couldn't have been numbing. - Is this a "physical" or "real" manifestation of the darkness that the non-believing exist in - What kind of terror in the people must this have caused? - If you could not see and could not feel what kind of terror must a person go through. Especially if you are hearing the cries and fears of those around you who are experiencing the same? 10:24 - Pharaoh doesn't want Israel to take their herds because Egypt will then be able to plunder them and use them for food. 10:29 - Moses statement after leaving Pharaoh doesn't make sense if he again meets Pharaoh in 11:4. Therefore... - vv 11:1-11:3 must have taken place some time prior to 10:24 - The events in 11:4 - 11:10 take place immediately following 10:29 - Why? The discontinuity in the account must be to keep each of the plagues distinct from one another rather than providing a clear chronological acocunt.
Application -
