Exodus 10: The Plague of Locusts and Darkness

Key Verse: Exodus 10:3"So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.”’"

Pride is a dangerous thing. Pharaoh has watched his kingdom suffer through plague after plague, yet he still refuses to bow before God. The land is in ruins, the people are desperate, even Pharaoh’s own officials are begging him to surrender. But he won’t.

And so, the judgment continues.

First, locusts cover the land. They swarm Egypt in numbers too great to count, devouring every green thing that was left after the hailstorm. Crops are stripped bare. Trees are left lifeless. The land is now completely destroyed.

Pharaoh panics. He calls for Moses and Aaron: “I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Please forgive my sin only this once, and plead with the Lord to take away this death from me.” (Exodus 10:16-17)

It sounds like repentance, but it’s not. It’s regret. As soon as the locusts are gone, Pharaoh hardens his heart again.

So, God sends another plague—darkness. Thick, heavy darkness that lasts for three days. No sun, no moon, no light. It is a darkness that can be felt. People don’t leave their homes because they can’t even see one another.

Yet, in Goshen, where the Israelites live, there is light.

This is not just a physical darkness—it is a spiritual one. Egypt worshiped the sun god Ra, but now even their false gods are powerless before the Lord. God is showing Pharaoh and all of Egypt that He alone is in control.

Once again, Pharaoh tries to negotiate. “Go, but leave your flocks and herds behind.” But partial obedience is still disobedience. Moses refuses.

Pharaoh, enraged, sends Moses away. “Get out of my sight! The day you see my face again, you shall die.”

Moses responds with chilling words: “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

Pharaoh’s heart is fully hardened now. He has rejected every opportunity to repent. And judgment is coming.

This is a warning for us. How often do we delay obedience, thinking we have time? Pharaoh thought he could fight against God, but in the end, his refusal to surrender would cost him everything.

God is patient, but His patience is not endless. The time to humble ourselves before Him is not tomorrow. It’s today.