Locusts and the Darkness

Exodus 10

Wave after wave of power from God - directed at Egypt and the heart of Pharaoh - and directed at forming vivid memories for the Israelites to pass down through their generations.

Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh. I have made him and his officers stubborn so I could show them these signs of mine. I also did this so you could recount to your children and your grandchildren how I made sport of the Egyptians. Tell them about the signs I did among them so that all of you will know that I am Yahweh.”

This commandment will be reinforced later.

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go to worship me.  If you refuse to let my people go, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your land. They will cover the surface of the land so that no one will be able to see the ground. They will eat anything that was left from the hailstorm and the growth from every tree in the field. They will fill your houses and all your officers’ houses, as well as the houses of all the Egyptians. There will be more locusts than your fathers or the fathers of your fathers have ever seen—more than the day they came on the earth until now.’” Then Moses turned and walked away from Pharaoh.

Pharaoh’s officers asked him, “How long will this man make trouble for us? Let the men go to worship Yahweh their God. Don’t you know yet that Egypt is ruined?”

Since the magicians have struck out, the government officials are now advising Pharaoh. I get the feeling they are more interested in the economy (and their now dwindling stake in it).

So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. He said to them, “Go and serve Yahweh your God. But tell me, just who is going?”

In Egypt, formal worship of the gods was officiated by men.  Women worshiped in their homes, to their household gods.

Moses answered, “We will go with our young and old people, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds, because we are going to make a pilgrimage to honor Yahweh.”

He said to them, “The Lord will really have to be with you if ever I let you and all of your children leave Egypt. See, you are planning something evil! No! Only the men may go and serve Yahweh, which is what you have been asking for.” Then Pharaoh forced Moses and Aaron out of his palace.

Pharaoh has lost and he knows it, yet he still keeps trying to fight.  It seems cruel that this beating will continue - and escalate.  Is Pharaoh in shock?  Is this a case of being so over-matched that it can't be mentally or emotionally processed?

The Lord told Moses, “Extend your hand over the land of Egypt, and the locusts will come. They will spread all over the land of Egypt and will eat all the plants the hail left behind.”

Plague Number 8: Locusts

So Moses raised his walking stick over the land of Egypt, and the Lord caused a strong east wind to blow across the land all that day and night, and when morning came, the east wind had brought the locusts. Swarms of locusts covered all the land of Egypt and settled within all the borders of Egypt. There were more locusts than ever before or after, and they covered the surface of the whole land so that it was darkened. They ate everything that was left after the hail—every plant in the field and all the fruit on the trees. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant anywhere in Egypt.

Pharaoh quickly called for Moses and Aaron. He said, “I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you. Now forgive my sin this time. Intercede with Yahweh your God, and ask him to turn aside this punishment that kills.”

Another beating - another occurrence of "uncle."

Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh.  So Yahweh diverted the wind. He made a very strong wind blow from the west, and it carried and drove the locusts away into the Red Sea. Not one locust was left within the borders of Egypt. 

But the Lord caused the king to be stubborn again, and he did not let the Israelites go.

Pharaoh is a masochist.  These continuing pummelings would not be tolerated by a normal human. God is making Pharaoh stubborn, but there must be room for this already inside Pharaoh's heart.

Then the Lord told Moses, “Extend your hand toward the sky, and darkness will be over the land of Egypt. It will be a darkness you can touch.” Moses raised his hand toward the sky, and total darkness was everywhere in Egypt for three days. 

Plague Number 9: Darkness

No one could see anyone else, and no one could go anywhere for three days. But the Israelites had light where they lived.

Again Pharaoh called for Moses. He said, “All of you may go and serve Yahweh. You may take your women and children with you, but you must leave your flocks and herds here.”

Still struggling - still thinking he's in the fight - and still making conditions.  Still taking his lumps.

Moses said, “You must let us have animals to use as sacrifices and burnt offerings because we have to offer them to Yahweh. So we must take our animals with us; not a hoof will be left behind. We have to use some of the animals to worship Yahweh. We won’t know exactly what we will need to worship Yahweh until we get there.”

But Yahweh made the king stubborn again, so he was unwilling to let them go. 

Yeah - give me a whole lotta lumps.

Then Pharaoh told Moses, “Get away from me, watch out that you don’t see my face again! On the day you see my face, you will die.”

Then Moses said, “I’ll do what you say. I will not see your face again.”

Threats, ultimatums and warnings from Pharaoh.  Not a good way to deal with God's spokesman (in my opinion).

It's as crazy and scary as watching a toddler threaten a Marine, or a squad of Marines.