Today’s passage: Exodus 10
Helpful thoughts:
- As the severity of the plagues was about to increase, God reminded Moses what was going to happen and why.
- Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened providentially.
- The display of God’s judgment was to be a lesson to the people of God for generations to come.
- The two plagues (eighth and ninth) in today’s passage:
- Locusts
- Pharaoh’s advisors were now attempting to persuade their ruler to let Israel go, but he would not listen.
- Egypt had taken comfort in the produce that had been spared in the previous plague, now all they had left was to be taken from them.
- Darkness (“A darkness to be felt” – Verse 21)
- This plague came without warning.
- Pharaoh attempted to compromise and strike a deal with Moses. The Lord is worthy to demand full obedience.
- Locusts
- Pharaoh threatened Moses and never wanted to see his face again. His threat and command were foolishness. Even if he felt he had power, he and all the false gods of Egypt were completely overpowered by the Lord.
Questions to consider:
- What were the future generations of Israel supposed to learn about the Lord in the sharing of this narrative? Why is God worthy of full obedience?
- What would be some examples in our own lives where we would prefer partial obedience, or the ability to barter back and forth with God? Why is striking a deal with God a ridiculous proposition?
- How does this concept of rewriting what would be acceptable to God become eternally destructive to people? What is the only way to eternal life and fellowship with the Father? If we try to altar that, what would we accomplish? What would be the consequences?