Exodus 10:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country,

NIV: If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow.

NASB: For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.

CSB: But if you refuse to let my people go, then tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.

NLT: If you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will bring a swarm of locusts on your country.

KJV: Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

NKJV: Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.

Moses and Aaron predict an eighth plague to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24). This prediction comes with a condition and a deadline. If he does not set the Israelites free, locusts would come into Egypt the next day. This emphasis on plagues taking place or ending "tomorrow" occurs elsewhere in this book (Exodus 8:10, 23, 29; 9:5, 18). The tenth plague (Exodus 12:29) will occur in the middle of the night when most people are sleeping.

Locusts are actually grasshoppers who experience certain weather or food patterns. When conditions are right, the grasshoppers produce a generation of offspring which look slightly different, act aggressively, breed quickly, form into swarms, and have an enormous appetite. These are "locusts," and they have caused problems for humanity for thousands of years. A large swarm of locusts can eat crops down to nothing in a matter of days, or even hours. The swarm predicted here will be colossal: like nothing ever seen in Egypt (Exodus 10:5).

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.

Accessed 7/31/2025 5:24:23 AM