Exodus 10

Exodus 10:1

H. The Eighth PlagueLocusts (10:1-20)Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh of an impending locust plague, but he would agree to let only the men go to hold a feast to the LORD. The women and children had to stay behind. But God would not have the men in the wilderness while their families were still in Egypt. The plague was of unprecedented severity, with locusts covering the land and eating everything edible. This showed that the god Serapis was powerless to protect from locusts. Pharaoh seemed willing to yield, but he would not let the children of Israel go.

Exodus 10:21

I. The Ninth PlagueThree Days of Darkness (10:21-29)10:21-28 The ninth plague was three days of darkness which could be felt. Only the children of Israel had light in their dwellings, an obvious miracle. The Egyptian sun god, Ra, was unmasked as impotent. Pharaoh told Moses to go to the wilderness with the women and children but to leave the flocks and . . . herds behind. He thought this would guarantee their return. (Perhaps he also wanted to replenish his own herds.) But in that case, there would be nothing to sacrifice to Jehovah, and sacrifice was the reason for their departure from Egypt. When Moses was unwilling to make the demanded compromise, Pharaoh ordered him banished from his presence forever. 10:29 Moses’ strong statement, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again,” seems contradicted by Exo_11:8, where it says that Moses “went out from Pharaoh in great anger.” Matthew Henry suggests that “never . . . again” means “after this time,” and Exo_11:8 is included in the same “conference.” He writes: So that, after this interview, Moses came no more, till he was sent for. Note, When men drive God’s word from them he justly permits their delusions, and answers them according to the multitude of their idols. When the Gadarenes desired Christ to depart, he presently left them.