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Exodus 10 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, ²and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how severely I dealt with the Egyptians when I performed miraculous signs among them, so that all of you may know that I am the LORD.” ³So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. ⁴But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow. ⁵They will cover the face of the land so that no one can see it. They will devour whatever is left after the hail and eat every tree that grows in your fields. ⁶They will fill your houses and the houses of all your officials and every Egyptian—something neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen since the day they came into this land.’ ” Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh’s presence. ⁷Pharaoh’s officials asked 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 in ruins?” ⁸So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “Go, worship the LORD your God,” he said. “But who exactly will be going?” ⁹“We will go with our young and old,” Moses replied. “We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” ¹⁰Then Pharaoh told them, “May the LORD be with you if I ever let you go with your little ones. Clearly you are bent on evil. ¹¹No, only the men may go and worship the LORD, since that is what you have been requesting.” And Moses and Aaron were driven from Pharaoh’s presence. ¹²Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that the locusts may swarm over it and devour every plant in the land—everything that the hail has left behind.” ¹³So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts. ¹⁴The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be. ¹⁵They covered the face of all the land until it was black, and they consumed all the plants on the ground and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left behind. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt. ¹⁶Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. ¹⁷Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.” ¹⁸So Moses left Pharaoh’s presence and appealed to the LORD. ¹⁹And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind that carried off the locusts and blew them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt. ²⁰But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go. ²¹Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.” ²²So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. ²³No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings. ²⁴Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.” ²⁵But Moses replied, “You must also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. ²⁶Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.” ²⁷But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go. ²⁸“Depart from me!” Pharaoh said to Moses. “Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.” ²⁹“As you say,” Moses replied, “I will never see your face again.”

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Exodus

Exodus 10

The Locusts and Darkness: The Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart and the Sovereign Display of God’s Power

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Objective

To reveal God’s sovereign judgment through the plague of locusts and the darkness over Egypt, demonstrating His authority over Pharaoh’s heart and the unfolding deliverance of Israel.

Overview

Exodus 10 recounts the continuation of God’s escalating judgments against Egypt through Moses and Aaron. God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh again, warning of the coming plague of locusts that will consume all that remains after the hail. Despite Pharaoh’s partial concession, his heart remains hardened. The locusts devastate Egypt, prompting Pharaoh’s plea for mercy, yet God hardens Pharaoh’s heart once more. Then God sends a palpable darkness over Egypt for three days, a judgment that isolates the Egyptians while preserving light for Israel. Pharaoh offers a limited release, but refuses full obedience, and his heart remains stubborn until the final confrontation.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

The LORD declares His sovereign hardening of Pharaoh’s heart to display His signs. Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, demanding release of Israel to serve God. Pharaoh’s refusal provokes the warning of a locust plague that will consume all remaining vegetation after the hail. Pharaoh’s servants urge release, but Pharaoh offers a limited permission to go, only for the men, excluding families and livestock. Moses insists on full departure for a feast to the LORD. Pharaoh’s hardened heart rejects the plea, driving Moses and Aaron away.

Central Themes

God’s sovereignty over human will

judgment as revelation of divine power

stubbornness of Pharaoh’s heart

demand for wholehearted obedience to God

escalating conflict between God and Egypt.

Cultural & Historical Context

In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was considered divine or semi-divine, absolute ruler over land and people. The plagues challenge this authority, exposing the LORD as supreme. The locust plague was a known devastating natural disaster, here wielded supernaturally to demonstrate God’s judgment and power.

Key Verse

Exodus 10:1

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Divine Hardening and Warning of Locusts (Verses 1–11)

A looming throne room where Pharaoh sits, his heart encased in stone, while Moses and Aaron stand resolute, the sky darkening with the first shadows of locust wings gathering like a living storm over golden fields.

The Locust Plague Devastates Egypt (Verses 12–20)

A vast, swirling cloud of locusts blots out the sun, descending upon fields and orchards, stripping every leaf and fruit, leaving barren branches against a darkened sky, while Pharaoh’s face is etched with fear and desperation.

The Darkness Over Egypt and Pharaoh’s Partial Concession (Verses 21–29)

A palpable, thick darkness envelops the land, shadows swallowing cities and villages; Egyptians stumble and grope in the gloom, while a single window glows warmly with light—Israel’s homes protected amidst the night of judgment.

Song

Exodus 10 Song

Verse 1

The LORD has spoken, His hand is strong, Pharaoh’s heart hardened, yet signs prolong. The earth will tremble, the locusts rise, Consuming all beneath darkened skies.

Verse 2

The fields lay bare, no leaf remains, The plague devours what hail left in chains. Pharaoh pleads, but his heart resists, Mercy given, yet judgment persists.

Chorus

Let the winds blow, let the darkness fall, God’s power displayed over great and small. From Egypt’s throne to the humble fold, His mighty hand will not be controlled.

Bridge

Three days of darkness, thick as night, Yet Israel’s homes are bathed in light. Partial release, but chains still bind, Until the day God’s will is signed.

Final Chorus

Let the winds blow, let the darkness fall, God’s power displayed over great and small. From Egypt’s throne to the humble fold, His mighty hand will not be controlled.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Recognize God’s sovereign control even in trials and opposition.

Examine the hardness of your own heart toward God’s call and repentance.

Trust in God’s protection amid darkness and uncertainty.

Community & Society

Encourage wholehearted obedience and worship within the faith community.

Support one another through spiritual trials, remembering God’s power to deliver.

Resist partial or compromised faith that limits God’s work among us.

Global Perspective

Acknowledge God’s authority over nations and rulers, praying for leaders’ hearts to be softened.

Stand against injustice and oppression, trusting God’s justice will prevail.

Proclaim God’s power and mercy globally, as revealed in history and Scripture.

Conclusion

Exodus 10 reveals the tension between divine judgment and mercy, sovereign power and human stubbornness. The plagues of locusts and darkness expose Pharaoh’s hardened heart and God’s supreme authority over nature and nations. Israel’s protection amid judgment foreshadows their coming deliverance. This chapter calls all to recognize God’s power, submit fully to His will, and trust His timing in the unfolding plan of redemption.