Exodus 10 Two More Plagues

Exodus 10 -- Two More Plagues!

In our study last week, we studied three more plagues. Tonight, we study the next two, leaving only the last and final plague!

In our study last week, we studied three plagues:

The fifth, the grievous Plague on the livestock, on the 2d day of the seventh month; Exo_9:3.

The sixth, the plague of Boils and Blains, on the 3d day of the seventh month; Exo_9:10.

The seventh, the grievous Hail, on the 5th day of the seventh month; Exo_9:18.

Blains from an unused root (mean. to belch forth); an inflammatory pustule (as eruption):--blains.

(Exo 9:10 NASB) So they took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses threw it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on man and beast.

(Exo 9:10 NIV) So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals.

Tonight, we are ready for Exodus 10 with only two plagues:

The eighth, the plague of Locusts, on the 8th day of the seventh month; Exo_10:12.

The ninth, the Thick Darkness, on the 10th day of Abib, (April 30), now become the first month of the Jewish year; Exo_10:22.

(Exo 10 NKJV) Now the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, {2} "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."

“That you may know that I am the LORD."

(Ex 10:3) So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. {4} 'Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. {5} 'And they shall cover the face of the earth, so that no one will be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of what is left, which remains to you from the hail, and they shall eat every tree which grows up for you out of the field. {6} 'They shall fill your houses, the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.' " And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.’

Now things take a new turn as Pharaoh’s servants get involved:

(Ex 10:7) Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?"

Pharaoh listened to the extent that he apparently sent of Moses and Aaron to return.

(Ex 10:8) 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?" {9} And Moses said, "We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD." {10} Then he said to them, "The LORD had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. {11} "Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desired." And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

This is an interesting turn of events. Pharaoh would like to please his servants and avoid further plagues, but he is not willing to them them a full release with his blessings. Instead, he says: "The LORD had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go!

Beware, for evil is ahead of you.” --

This is not a statement wishing someone well.

In effect, “the deal” is off!

The plagues will continue!

(Ex 10:12) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land; all that the hail has left." {13} So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. {14} And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as they, nor shall there be such after them.

(Ex 10:15) For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt.

This is obviously serious! What is Egypt going to do for food for the people and any livestock still left? Pharaoh knows he has problems:

(Ex 10:16) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. {17} "Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only."

Sounds like surrender doesn’t it?

But we know it won’t happen—not yet!

(Ex 10:18) So he went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD.

(Ex 10:19) And the LORD turned a very strong west wind, which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the territory of Egypt.

Locusts are mentioned in Revelation, but apparently, they are very symbolic locusts, and not the insect as described here.

(Rev 9:3) “Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”

When God acts, He acts with decisiveness: “There remained not one locust”

But as we all know, the story isn’t over yet!

(Ex 10:20) But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.

“the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart,” God is still in control! The next plague falls without further warning or negotiation.

(Ex 10:21) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." {22} So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. {23} They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. {24} Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you."

Pharaoh the “deal maker!”

What he doesn’t understand is that he has no power with which to negotiate.

God knows that.

How could Pharaoh keep from knowing that he has no power against God?

Moses is not into “making a deal” with Pharaoh. He knows that God will get them exactly what he is asking for.

(Ex 10:25) But Moses said, "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. {26} "Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." {27} But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. {28} Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!" {29} And Moses said, "You have spoken well. I will never see your face again."

This may be the last time they were face to face. Consider this verse:

(Exo 12:31 NKJV) Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said.

This may not have been a face to face meeting.

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