EXODUS 10 - Plague locusts, darkness

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** God hardened the heart of Pharaoh to show His power, so generations could look back on how God cared for His people and dealt with those refusing to acknowledge Him

Exodus 10:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them [2] that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Exodus 10:7 NIV

[7] Pharaoh’s officials said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the Lord their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?”

Exodus 11:9-10 NIV

[9] The Lord had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you---so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” [10] Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.

** Pharaoh’s heart was hardened because God revealed more of His glory  <R1795>

• God revealed His power more and more fully

• God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in the same way that the hot sun hardens bricks

• God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart against Pharaoh’s will

• If Pharaoh’s heart had been more like wax than clay, it would have softened rather than hardened when God revealed Himself more fully

Exodus 4:21 NIV

[21] The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Exodus 5:4-5,9 NIV

[4] But the king of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!” [5] Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.” [9] Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”

Exodus 9:16 NIV

[16] But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 10:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them [2] that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Exodus 11:9 NIV

[9] The Lord had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you---so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.”

** Pharaoh responded to Moses wanting to limit who can leave Egypt, but God would not be limited and demonstrated His displeasure

Exodus 10:11-12 NIV

[11] No! Have only the men go and worship the Lord, since that’s what you have been asking for.” Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh’s presence. [12] And the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail.”

Exodus 10:14-15 NIV

[14] [The locusts] invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. [15] They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail---everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

** In other words, “Pharaoh, read my lips: You get nada, zip, zero, nothing. You don’t get an inch. We’re taking everyone and everything, and we’re leaving, whether you like it or not.”

As Christians, that is what we need to say when the devil tempts us to compromise. He whispers, “All right, I can’t have all of your life, so let me have this one area. It won’t go any further.”

Like Moses, we need to say, “No, you get nothing.” Little things lead to big things. That’s why we can’t make deals with the devil. We can’t negotiate with Satan. There can be no compromise. If you are not prepared to go far away from Satan, then you’re never going to make it, because he will manipulate you. It’s time to break free.  <L120>

Exodus 10:24-26 NIV

[24] Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.” [25] But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the Lord our God. [26] Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.”

** Pharaoh threw what was tantamount to a temper tantrum and finally gave in to his promise to let the Israelites go

Exodus 10:27-29 NIV

[27] But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. [28] Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.” [29] “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.”

Exodus 12:31-32 NIV

[31] During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. [32] Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”