Exodus 10: Darkness Before Deliverance – Understanding God’s Purpose

Executive Summary ✨

Exodus 10, a pivotal chapter in the Exodus narrative, details the devastating plagues of locusts and darkness unleashed upon Egypt. This chapter reveals not only the immense power of God but also Pharaoh’s continued stubborn resistance, highlighting the battle between divine authority and human pride. The locusts consume all that remains after the previous plagues, bringing economic ruin. The subsequent plague of darkness, a thick, palpable darkness lasting three days, directly attacks the Egyptian sun god Ra, demonstrating the futility of their worship. Through these plagues, God demonstrates His sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to deliver His people, providing us with a profound lesson in faith, obedience, and the ultimate triumph of divine will. The darkness served as a prelude to the final, most devastating plague, preparing the Israelites for their liberation. Ultimately, Exodus 10 underscores the importance of recognizing God’s power and yielding to His call, lessons as relevant today as they were millennia ago. This is also a great starting point if you need a professional WordPress host.

Exodus 10 presents us with a stark portrayal of divine judgment and unwavering mercy. As we delve into the chapter, we aim to understand the purpose behind these dramatic events, not just as historical occurrences but as timeless lessons applicable to our spiritual journeys. Pharaoh’s defiance serves as a cautionary tale, while God’s relentless pursuit of His people’s freedom offers hope and assurance. Our focus key phrase, **Darkness Before Deliverance**, encapsulates the spiritual message of this chapter.

Commentary Sections 📖

Exodus 10:1-2 – God’s Purpose Revealed

Exodus 10:1-2 (KJV): And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

God’s purpose is clearly stated: to demonstrate His power and to ensure that future generations would remember His mighty acts. The phrase “I have hardened his heart” is often misunderstood. The Fathers explain this not as God actively forcing Pharaoh’s wickedness, but rather as Pharaoh hardening his own heart against the divine warnings, and God allowing it to happen to showcase his glory. This is a crucial point; God doesn’t create evil, but He uses even evil actions to fulfill His sovereign plan. We learn that God’s actions always have a didactic element, teaching us about His nature and our relationship with Him.

St. Augustine commented on this concept of Divine allowance: “Non enim Deus fecit cor durum, sed permisit eum indurari, ut in eo demonstraret virtutem suam.” (Translation: For God did not make the heart hard, but He permitted it to be hardened, so that in it He might demonstrate His virtue.) (Augustine, *Quaestionum in Heptateuchum*, 2.31)

Spiritual Application: Recognize that God’s actions, even those that seem harsh, serve a greater purpose. Trust in His plan, even when you don’t understand it.

Exodus 10:3-6 – The Plague of Locusts Foretold

Exodus 10:3-6 (KJV): And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

Moses directly challenges Pharaoh’s pride, asking, “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?” This highlights the core issue: Pharaoh’s unwillingness to submit to God’s authority. The description of the locusts is terrifying: they would cover the entire land, consuming everything that remained. Locust plagues were (and still are) devastating to agricultural societies, bringing widespread famine and economic ruin. This plague targeted the economic stability of Egypt, further weakening Pharaoh’s grip on power.

The book of Joel paints a similar picture of a locust plague, describing them as a symbol of divine judgment (Joel 2:25). In the Coptic tradition, locusts are often interpreted as a symbol of destructive forces that can invade our lives if we do not remain vigilant in our faith.

Spiritual Application: Humble yourself before God and resist pride, which blinds us to His will.

Exodus 10:7-11 – Pharaoh’s Servants Intercede

Exodus 10:7-11 (KJV): And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for there is evil before you. Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

Pharaoh’s servants recognize the devastation and plead with him to relent. This shows a shift in perspective even within the Egyptian court. However, Pharaoh attempts to compromise, allowing only the men to go, leaving behind the women, children, and livestock. This is unacceptable, as the worship of God requires the participation of the entire community and the offering of sacrifices from their possessions. The complete dedication is mirrored in the Coptic tradition by the communal prayers of the Agpeya and the complete dedication of the individual during the Divine Liturgy.

The concept of total dedication is reflected in the words of St. Anthony the Great: “Ἀεὶ προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκαταλίπητε τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ Θεοῦ.” (Translation: Always pay attention to yourselves, lest you abandon the love of God.) (St. Anthony the Great, *Letters*, 1)

Spiritual Application: Offer God your whole self, not just a portion. True worship requires complete dedication and participation.

Exodus 10:12-15 – The Devastation of the Locusts

Exodus 10:12-15 (KJV): And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

The east wind, a symbol of judgment, brings the locusts, fulfilling God’s word. The devastation is complete; nothing remains. This plague highlights the interconnectedness of creation and the consequences of disobedience. The land is darkened, foreshadowing the next plague. The economic impact would have been catastrophic, leading to widespread starvation and social unrest.

Spiritual Application: Recognize the destructive consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God’s commands.

Exodus 10:16-20 – Pharaoh’s Fleeting Repentance

Exodus 10:16-20 (KJV): Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

Pharaoh acknowledges his sin, but his repentance is shallow and temporary. He asks for forgiveness “only this once,” indicating a lack of genuine remorse. God, in His mercy, removes the locusts, demonstrating His willingness to forgive even those who are not fully committed to Him. However, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. This illustrates the danger of partial obedience and the importance of genuine repentance.

St. Macarius the Great teaches about the necessity of genuine contrition: “Χρὴ οὖν μετανοεῖν ἀληθῶς, καὶ μὴ προσποιεῖσθαι μόνον.” (Translation: Therefore, it is necessary to repent truly, and not merely pretend.) (St. Macarius the Great, *Homilies*, 11.5)

Spiritual Application: Seek genuine repentance, not just outward compliance. God desires a change of heart, not just a change of behavior.

Exodus 10:21-23 – The Plague of Darkness

Exodus 10:21-23 (KJV): And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

The plague of darkness is unique; it is a “darkness which may be felt.” This is not merely the absence of light but a tangible, oppressive darkness. It directly challenged the Egyptian sun god Ra, demonstrating the powerlessness of their deities. The contrast between the darkness in Egypt and the light in the Israelites’ dwellings highlights God’s protection of His people. This darkness represents spiritual blindness and the absence of God’s presence.

The three days of darkness can be seen as a foreshadowing of the three days Christ spent in the tomb before His resurrection. This connects the Exodus narrative to the New Testament, highlighting the continuity of God’s redemptive plan. The light provided to the Israelites prefigures the light of Christ, which illuminates those who follow Him.

Spiritual Application: Seek God’s light to dispel the darkness in your life. Rely on His presence to guide you through difficult times.

Exodus 10:24-29 – Pharaoh’s Final Refusal

Exodus 10:24-29 (KJV): And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let them go. And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

Pharaoh’s final offer is another attempt to compromise, allowing the children to go but retaining the livestock. Moses refuses, insisting that they need the animals for sacrifices. Pharaoh, in his anger and frustration, threatens Moses’ life. This marks a complete breakdown in communication and a final rejection of God’s will. Moses’ response indicates that he knows the final plague is imminent and that he will not need to negotiate further with Pharaoh.

Spiritual Application: Stand firm in your faith and refuse to compromise with evil. Trust in God’s provision and guidance.

Subtopic Sections 💡

Let’s consider some key reflections on this chapter:

• God’s Sovereignty: God demonstrates His complete control over creation through the plagues, proving that He is sovereign over all things.
• Pharaoh’s Stubbornness: Pharaoh’s repeated refusal to obey God’s commands highlights the dangers of pride and a hardened heart.
• The Importance of Humility: Moses’ humility and obedience contrast sharply with Pharaoh’s arrogance, demonstrating the value of submitting to God’s will.
• The Power of Prayer: Moses’ prayers intercede on behalf of the Egyptians, demonstrating the power of prayer to move God’s heart.
• God’s Protection: The light in the Israelites’ dwellings during the plague of darkness symbolizes God’s protection of His people.
• The Foreshadowing of Christ: The events in Exodus foreshadow the coming of Christ, who brings light into the darkness and offers salvation to all who believe.

FAQ ❓

Let’s address some frequently asked questions:

• Q: Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? A: God did not actively force Pharaoh to be wicked. Rather, He allowed Pharaoh to continue in his chosen path of defiance, using Pharaoh’s stubbornness to further demonstrate His power and glory. This aligns with the Coptic Orthodox understanding of free will and divine sovereignty.
• Q: What is the significance of the plague of darkness? A: The plague of darkness was a direct attack on the Egyptian sun god Ra, showing the futility of their idolatry. It also symbolized spiritual blindness and the absence of God’s presence, highlighting the contrast between the darkness of sin and the light of God’s truth.
• Q: How can we apply the lessons of Exodus 10 to our lives today? A: We can learn to humble ourselves before God, resist pride, and seek genuine repentance. We can also trust in God’s protection and guidance, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The need to be vigilant is one reason you should seek help from a professional IT support team.
• Q: What does this chapter teach us about God’s character? A: Exodus 10 reveals God’s power, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He is a God who keeps His promises and delivers His people from oppression. He is also a God who is willing to forgive those who genuinely repent, even though it requires time.

Conclusion 🕊️

Exodus 10, with its dramatic plagues of locusts and darkness, serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience. The chapter’s message of **Darkness Before Deliverance** speaks to the struggles we often face before experiencing God’s blessings. Just as the Israelites endured the oppressive darkness before their liberation, we too may encounter periods of difficulty and uncertainty. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God is always with us, providing light in the darkness and ultimately leading us to freedom. Pharaoh’s hardened heart stands as a warning against pride and stubbornness, while Moses’ unwavering faith exemplifies the importance of humility and obedience. Let us strive to emulate Moses’ example, trusting in God’s plan and submitting to His will, knowing that He will ultimately bring us through the darkness into the light of His glorious presence. Just as the Israelites came through a difficult time so can you.

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Exodus, Plagues, Locusts, Darkness, Pharaoh, Moses, Egypt, Coptic Orthodox, Theology, Deliverance

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Explore Exodus 10’s plagues of locusts & darkness through a Coptic Orthodox lens. Uncover the meaning of **Darkness Before Deliverance** & lessons for today.