Exodus - Part 13 - Exodus 10:1-29

The next plague is the plague of locusts. God once again commands Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the people go or else God will send locusts on the land. Pharaoh’s servants try to convince Pharaoh to just let them go because they can see that Egypt is destroyed. So, Pharaoh tells Moses they can go serve the Lord only if they leave all the women and children behind. God was not going to negotiate, so He sent locusts and they consumed every plant. Pharaoh admits he has sinned and asks Moses to plead with God to remove the locusts. But, as soon as they are gone, Pharaoh goes back on his word again.

Pharaoh refused to humble himself and submit to God. He still considered himself to be an equal to God. He thought he could bargain with God like he bargained with another human being. Even Pharaoh’s officials could see that this strategy would end in disaster. God would continue to bring judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods to show that there were none equal to Him.

Osiris was the god thought to be the protector of the crops. God sent locusts to devour all the crops which showed once again that the Egyptian gods were outmatched. God will expose and topple any false god and it is foolish to put any hope in these gods. When we see our false gods fall, it can hurt. But, when we repent, there is swift relief. Once Pharaoh repented, God removed the locusts.

God sends the next plague without any warning. It is deep darkness so dark that the Egyptians can’t see anything for three days. It is described as a darkness that can be felt. Pharaoh tells Moses they can go serve the Lord but they must leave their herds behind. Moses explained that they had to take their animals with them because they needed sacrifices. Pharaoh throws Moses out of his presence telling him they will never be face to face again. Moses replied and told Pharaoh he was correct. They would never see each other again.

This plague was more than just physical darkness. It was a spiritual darkness that must have been terrifying. It was the closest to Hell that the plagues have gotten so far. It was a direct strike against an Egyptian god, in this case, Ra, the sun god. Ra was considered the creator god and father of the king. God proved who the real Creator and King was, is, and always will be.