Exodus 10:1-29
Q.1. Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? With what plague was Egypt threatened, if Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews go? How did the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh go? – (Exo.10:1-11)
God gave Moses these reasons for hardening the heart of Pharaoh and his servants – that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the Lord (Exo.10:1-2). Because Pharaoh refused to set the Hebrews free to worship their God, Egypt would be struck with the worst plague of locusts that had ever afflicted the nation (Exo.10:3-6, 14). Pharaoh pleaded with Moses to put an end to the curse of the Israelites. He pointed out – Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed (Exo.10:7). Upon calling them back, Pharaoh asked – who are the ones that are going? (Exo.10:8). When he was told that the whole nation would go including the little ones, Pharaoh refused permission, and drove them out of his sight (Exo.10:10-11).
Q.2. How bad was the locust plague? How genuine was Pharaoh’s change of mind? How was Egypt afflicted after that? What demand caused Pharaoh to threaten Moses? How did Moses respond? – (Exo.10:12-29)
God then commanded Moses to release the worst plague of locusts that had ever struck the land (Exo.10:12-14). They decimated the landscape, so that nothing green remained (Exo.10:15). Pharaoh recalled Moses and Aaron and pleaded – … please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication to the Lord your God, that He would only remove this death from me (Exo.10:17). However, his confession was selective, and lacked true repentance. No sooner had God brought relief, than Pharaoh changed his mind, and God hardened his heart yet again (Exo.10:20). This time, the land was struck with an eerie – … darkness which may be felt (Exo.10:21). However, not everyone was affected by the plague – They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings (Exo.10:23). This time Pharaoh gave Moses permission for all the Hebrews to go. However, they were to leave their flocks and herds (Exo.10:24 c.f. Exo.9:3-7). Moses responded that they needed their livestock for offerings to the Lord, so they would take all that belonged to them (Exo.10:25-26). Pharaoh was so angry that he threatened – 28 … Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die! (Exo.10:28). Moses replied – You are right; I shall never see your face again! (Exo.10:29).