Exodus 10 Explained - Locusts and Darkness Over Egypt
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Introduction
Exodus 10 brings locusts and a darkness that can be felt. Pharaoh's own officials now beg him to give in.
The eighth and ninth plagues push Egypt to the breaking point. Locusts devour what the hail left, and a thick darkness covers the land for three days. Even Pharaoh's servants plead with him, but his heart will not yield.
Summary
God sends a plague of locusts so dense they cover the ground and devour every remaining plant in Egypt. Before this, Pharaoh's officials urge him to let the people go, recognizing Egypt is ruined, but Pharaoh only offers to let the men go, which Moses refuses. After the locusts, Pharaoh again confesses sin but hardens once they are gone. Then God sends a darkness so thick it can be felt, lasting three days, while Israel has light. Pharaoh offers to let the people go without their flocks, but Moses refuses, and Pharaoh threatens Moses with death.
Key Themes
Devastating locusts: They consume what the hail spared.
Officials plead: Even Pharaoh's servants want to yield.
Darkness that is felt: A supernatural three-day darkness.
Partial offers refused: Moses will not leave anyone or anything behind.
Hardened to the end: Pharaoh threatens Moses rather than submit.
Exodus 10 Explained: Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
Verses 1-11: Warning of Locusts
God tells Moses these signs are so future generations will know He is the Lord. Pharaoh's officials beg him to let the people go, saying Egypt is ruined. Pharaoh summons Moses but offers to let only the men go. Moses insists all must go, young and old, and Pharaoh drives them out.
Verses 12-20: The Plague of Locusts
Locusts cover the land and eat every plant and fruit the hail had left, until nothing green remains. Pharaoh hastily confesses sin and asks for forgiveness. Moses prays, a strong west wind drives the locusts into the sea, but the Lord hardens Pharaoh's heart.
Verses 21-29: The Plague of Darkness
A thick darkness covers Egypt for three days, a darkness to be felt, so no one can see or move. But the people of Israel have light where they live. Pharaoh offers to let the people go but keep their flocks. Moses refuses, saying not a hoof will be left behind. Pharaoh, enraged, warns Moses never to see his face again or he will die.
Deep Insight
The plague of darkness was a direct assault on Ra, the sun god, one of Egypt's chief deities, and on Pharaoh himself, who was considered the son of Ra. For three days the sun god was helpless. Notice Moses' refusal of every partial deal. Pharaoh offers to release the men only, then everyone but the animals. Moses will not leave a single hoof behind. There is a lesson here. God does not negotiate a partial deliverance. When He saves, He saves completely. He will not settle for leaving part of you in bondage.
Tough Questions Answered
Why did Moses refuse to leave the flocks behind?
They needed the animals for sacrifice and worship, and Moses would not accept a partial deliverance that kept Israel tied to Egypt. God's salvation is complete, not a compromise that leaves His people half-bound. (Exodus 10:25-26, Romans 12:1)
What was significant about the darkness?
It struck at the sun god Ra and at Pharaoh, the supposed son of Ra, showing their helplessness. A darkness that could be felt revealed that Egypt's greatest gods were powerless before the true God. (Exodus 10:21-23, Exodus 12:12)
Why mention telling future generations?
God intended these acts to be remembered and retold, building faith across generations. The exodus was to be a foundational story teaching Israel, and us, who God is and what He has done. (Exodus 10:2, Psalm 78:4)
Application (Real Life)
Refuse to settle for partial freedom from sin.
Recognize that God's salvation is complete, not a compromise.
Retell God's works to the next generation.
See how powerless every false god is before the Lord.
Beware a heart so hardened it threatens rather than yields.
Simple test: Are you letting God deliver you completely, or bargaining to keep part of your old life?
Apologetics Angle
Exodus 10 reinforces that the plagues systematically dismantled the Egyptian pantheon, with the darkness humiliating the sun god Ra at the height of Egyptian power. The narrative's concern that these events be told to future generations reflects the deeply historical nature of Israel's faith, rooted in remembered events rather than abstract myth. The detail that even Pharaoh's officials recognized Egypt was ruined shows the account's realism about the political pressure mounting on a stubborn ruler. These features point to a record grounded in real circumstances and a God acting decisively in history.
Cross References
Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on all the gods of Egypt.
Psalm 78:4 - Tell the next generation the deeds of the Lord.
Joel 2:25 - The years the locusts have eaten.
Romans 12:1 - Offer yourselves fully to God.
John 8:12 - I am the light of the world.
Exodus 10 Explained: Conclusion
Exodus 10 Explained brings Egypt to the brink with locusts and a darkness that can be felt. Pharaoh's own officials beg him to yield, but he keeps offering partial deals and Moses keeps refusing. God will not leave a single hoof in bondage. His deliverance is total. Do not settle for partial freedom, and tell the next generation of the God whose light shines even in deepest darkness.
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