Exodus 10:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord."

NIV: that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord."

NASB: and that you may tell in the presence of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, so that you may know that I am the Lord.'

CSB: and so that you may tell your son and grandson how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and performed miraculous signs among them, and you will know that I am the Lord."

NLT: I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them — and so you will know that I am the Lord.'

KJV: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord.

NKJV: and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.”

The Lord didn't send catastrophes on Egypt out of spite. He offered the nation many, many chances to release their Hebrew slaves. Each opportunity was met with dishonesty and stubbornness. Finally, the Egyptian king has crossed a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). God's use of these plagues (Exodus 3:20) is explained as a way to make His power famous for all of history (Exodus 10:1). Pharaoh's repeated defiance has turned him into a living illustration of God's wrath.

Each of the plagues has also countered Egyptian faith in their religious idols. Deities such as Hapi (Exodus 7:17), Khnum (Exodus 7:20), Heqet (Exodus 8:2), Hathor (Exodus 9:3), Apis (Exodus 9:4), Isis (Exodus 9:9), Sunu (Exodus 9:10), and Sekhmet (Exodus 9:10) all failed to prevent the God of Israel from commanding their spheres of influence. Even more dramatic was the distinction made between Egyptian and Israelites during the plagues (Exodus 8:22; 9:4, 7, 26).

The upcoming plague of darkness will challenge belief in the false god Ra, the most prominent of Egyptian idols.

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.

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.

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.