Exodus 10 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 10 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

God sent Moses to deliver a command to the pharaoh of Egypt: release the captive Hebrew people (Exodus 1:11–14; 3:7–10, 18–22). Despite hearing this command many times (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13), the king is stubborn (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34). This defiance has led to seven catastrophes which have battered the nation (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24). After the most recent plague, Pharaoh once again broke his word about releasing the Israelites (Exodus 9:34–35). After choosing rebellion so many times (Proverbs 29:1), Pharaoh will now be used as an illustration of divine judgment (Exodus 4:21), with no meaningful ability to repent.

The Lord tells Moses that Pharaoh will never agree to release the Israelites. Instead, he will be used to demonstrate the Lord's power to all the people of earth and for all of history (Exodus 3:20). God's purpose in these plagues has not been petty revenge. Instead, these events are opportunities to recognize His power and act accordingly (Exodus 10:1–2).

As commanded, Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16) rebuke Pharoah for his pride and stubbornness. They repeat the Lord's command to release the Hebrews. This comes with the threat of an eighth disaster. If Pharoah will not free God's people, Egypt will experience the worst locust plague the nation has ever seen. Everything which managed to survive the recent hailstorm (Exodus 9:31–32) will be lost (Exodus 10:3–6).

Locusts are a form taken on by common grasshoppers. These insects are normally reserved and solitary. Under certain conditions, they breed a generation with unusual traits. Now called "locusts," they are compelled to swarm in dense groups. They are aggressive, quick to breed, and insatiable eaters. Swarms of locusts can join or grow into clouds the size of entire nations. Called "plagues," even outside the Bible, hordes of locusts can devour an entire region's vegetation—including human crops—within hours or days before moving on to the next area. Further, the insects are noisy, disruptive, and filthy. Pharaoh's advisors are sensibly terrified of facing such an event. They plead with their king to negotiate with Moses; their plan is to let only the Israelite men leave (Exodus 10:7).

Pharoah's attempt to bargain immediately fails. Both he and Moses know that if some Israelites are kept in Egypt, the others will be reluctant to leave. If all the Hebrews go, none of them are coming back into slavery. Moses makes it clear that every Israelite must be freed to serve God. Pharaoh makes a snide remark about Yahweh's favor (Exodus 3:15) and angrily dismisses Moses (Exodus 10:8–11).

Following the Lord's command, Moses gestures with his staff to trigger the plague of locusts. Overnight, an east wind brings the worst locust infestation Egypt will ever experience. The insects are so numerous that they blot out sunlight and cover every surface. The locusts eat everything plant-based in the region, leaving nothing (Exodus 10:12–15).

In a panic, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron to plead for relief, claiming that what he has done is sinful. Pharaoh asks for forgiveness. Moses prays on the king's behalf, and God reverses the winds to drive every single locust out of the nation. Yet Pharaoh, under God's judgment for his constant disobedience (Exodus 4:21), still refuses to release the people (Exodus 10:16–20).

This leads to another divine demonstration. God sends three days of darkness on the Egyptians. This might have been a supernatural blackness, or a blocking of the sun by clouds, sandstorm, or other means. The darkness is so deep, and possibly so terrifying, that the Egyptians huddle in their homes without meeting or seeing one another. To highlight the lesson, the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:6) is spared from this event (Exodus 10:21–23).

Rather than submit, Pharaoh again tries to bargain. Moses rejects the offer to take the Israeli people but leave their livestock. This seems to push Pharaoh over the edge. He threatens to kill Moses if the two of them ever meet again. Moses replies with what amounts to a calm, possibly sarcastic shrug (Exodus 10:24–29).

This will lead to Moses announcing the final, most devastating plague (Exodus 11:4).

Exodus 10:1–11 sets up the eighth of ten plagues which God has sent to prove His power to all generations. Moses once again delivers the Lord's command that Egypt release the Hebrew slaves. But Pharaoh is even more stubborn than usual, as God's punishment for his constant disobedience. By now, even Pharaoh's advisors recognize the power they are facing. They encourage negotiation. Pharaoh agrees to let only the male Hebrews leave for worship—then sends Moses away when this is not accepted.

Exodus 10:12–20 describes the eighth plague, an unimaginable cloud of locusts. These are grasshoppers which respond to weather patterns by spawning a generation of aggressive, hungry, fertile, insects who travel in close-packed swarms. This event is beyond anything ever seen before or since. Locusts completely cover the ground and eat every leaf, stem, and fruit which survived the plague of hail (Exodus 9:31–32). Pharaoh again begs for mercy, obtains it, and then goes back on his word to release the Israelites.

Exodus 10:21–29 explains the ninth plague. A supernatural darkness falls on Egypt. It seems that no light source could penetrate this darkness; the Egyptian people are forced to shelter in place for three days. Yet again, this trouble does not affect the Israelite slaves who live in Goshen. Pharaoh once again tries to negotiate, this time offering to let the people leave if they leave their livestock. Moses refuses, saying they must take everything. The Egyptian king dismisses Moses with a threat to kill him if they ever meet in person again. Moses seems to accept this without concern.

Chapter Summary:

Moses warns Pharaoh that an eighth plague will come if the Hebrew slaves are not set free. This will be the worst locust invasion the nation will ever see. Pharaoh's advisors beg him to negotiate. He offers to release only Israelite men, which Moses rejects. The locust plague eradicates everything that survived the earlier hailstorm. Pharaoh pleads for relief, only to break his promise once again when the danger has passed. Next come three days of intense darkness. Pharaoh once again tries to arrange a partial release. When Moses refuses, Pharaoh threatens to kill him if he ever comes back.

Chapter Context:

Seven times, God has sent supernatural judgment against the nation of Egypt (Exodus 7—9). Each time, Pharaoh has refused to obey God's command to release the Israelite slaves. As a result, God will no longer give Pharaoh the ability to repent (Proverbs 29:1). Despite an epic, devastating locust invasion and three days of darkness, Pharaoh still refuses to submit. Rather, he threatens Moses with death. This will lead Moses to predict the last and worst of the ten plagues (Exodus 11). The tragic death of Egypt's firstborn during the Passover (Exodus 12) will finally lead to Israelite freedom.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/15/2025 1:05:12 AM