Apr 4, 2026
Chapter 10 opens with the LORD speaking to Moses: “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD” (vv. 1-2). God had a purpose through the continuation of these plagues. One we have already addressed, in that He wanted all of those in Egypt to know Him as LORD. But we learn here that God also intended these signs and wonders to be told to future Israelite generations, presumably so that they, too, could be encouraged to know that the covenant-keeping God was in their midst. Never doubt that when God is working in your present situation, it is only for your benefit. Rather, ensure your son and your grandson, along with many more little ones to come, know of God’s wonder-working power so their faith may be strengthened.
Moses and Aaron once more enter into the presence of Pharaoh, asking him, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” (v. 3). Candidly, this is a question all of us must answer daily as our flesh so frequently refuses to submit to the authority and lordship of King Jesus. I doubt any of us would proudly attest to the fact that our heart is at odds with God, but when we refuse to surrender all we are and have to Him, we are not humbling ourselves before His throne. So, be careful not to throw stones at Pharaoh before asking God to search the deep recesses of your heart as well.
After hearing the warning of the promised eighth plague—a swarm of locusts to devour the land—Pharaoh’s servants plead with their ruler to let the Israelites go. You could almost hear them saying, “Pharaoh, look around you. God has destroyed our nation. What more do you need to see? Keeping these foreigners around as slaves will do us no good if there’s no work for them to do!” Pharaoh responds by asking Moses and Aaron who would leave Egypt to worship, but after being told that all of Israel (young, old, and livestock) would depart, Pharaoh says he will let the men go, but not their children. “What Pharaoh wanted is what many of us want in the flesh: a way to ‘give in’ to God, without fully submitting to Him. Sometimes we look for a way to bargain with God as an equal, instead of submitting to Him as Creator and LORD.”[i]
God is not one to be bargained with, and soon thereafter, He sends “such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again. They covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt” (vv. 14-15). Pharaoh then summons Moses to again offer a shallow apology and plea for deliverance from this plague—not likely because of his sorrow, but more assuredly because he was uncomfortable with the consequences of his sin. Nevertheless, Moses intercedes on behalf of the Egyptian citizens, and God brings forth a wind to send out all the locusts. However, the people of Israel remained in Egypt as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
As a result, a ninth plague is brought forth by the LORD, and in this instance, “there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days” (v. 22). David Guzik notes that the “Egyptians attempted to use candles and lamps but were unable to produce light. This was [a] dramatic show of greatness over the prominent Egyptian god Ra, thought to be the sun god…God did for Pharaoh what He will do in our lives — expose and topple every false god. When we trust in these gods it hurts to see them fall, but it is always best to have them exposed.”[ii]
Pharaoh relents, calling Moses in to inform him that he is now willing to let all the people go to worship God. Still, the Egyptian ruler refused to allow the Israelites to take with them any livestock, and when Moses refused the offer, Pharaoh dismissed him from his presence and told him that he never wanted to see his face again (v. 29). Thus sets the stage for the final and most severe plague that will finally bring Pharaoh to his knees.
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· Have you truly and fully humbled yourself before Lord Jesus, or are there some things you still need to surrender to His authority?
· How have you tried to bargain with God? What does our inclination to partially obey God reveal about our hearts?
[i] Study Guide for Exodus 10. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved March 3, 2026, from
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/exodus/exodus-10.cfm
[ii] ibid