Exodus 10:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. And he said to them, "Go, serve the Lord your God. But which ones are to go?"

NIV: Then Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the Lord your God," he said. "But tell me who will be going."

NASB: So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, 'Go, serve the Lord your God! Who specifically are the ones who are going?'

CSB: So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the Lord your God," Pharaoh said. "But exactly who will be going?"

NLT: So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. 'All right,' he told them, 'go and worship the Lord your God. But who exactly will be going with you?'

KJV: And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the Lord your God: but who are they that shall go?

NKJV: So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the Lord your God. Who are the ones that are going?”

Under threat (Exodus 10:1–6) of an eighth disaster (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24), Pharaoh's advisors convince him to negotiate with Moses. They realize that if locusts consume what little is left of vegetation and food stores, they will face starvation (Exodus 10:7). Yet neither Pharaoh nor his servants seem willing to give the Lord exactly what He has demanded: release of the Israelite people.

Pharaoh hopes that giving the Israelites a little room for religion might allow Egypt to keep their slaves (Exodus 1:11–14). Of course, Egypt's king would assume the same thing everyone else would: once the slaves all leave, they aren't coming back. He assumes that those who leave will not abandon family members who are still in captivity. So, he suggests that only a certain group of Israelites be released. This is not a negotiation to release slaves, it is only a negotiation to stop the plagues.

Moses' first request to Pharaoh was for the Israelites to go three days away in order to worship God (Exodus 3:18; 5:3). The Lord knew that Pharaoh would never agree to this request (Exodus 3:19–20), let alone complete freedom. God is demanding that the people be freed in order to worship, or "serve," which really means being freed entirely. Moses will rule out Pharaoh's lesser option immediately (Exodus 10:9).

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.