Exodus | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

EXODUS 10

LOCUSTS + DARKNESS

By this point, Pharaoh's own servants are telling him to release the Israelites because the land of Egypt has been completely destroyed by the plagues.

For the eighth plague, God sends swarms of locusts that cover the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh is afflicted by the locusts and wants them gone, so he says, “I’ve sinned against God again! Pray to him and make the locusts gone!” Similarly to the previous plagues, Pharaoh only confesses sin when something is wrong and he wants God to intervene.

Moses prays, and God sends a gust of wind that removes the locusts from Egypt. But God makes Pharaoh’s heart hard again, stopping him from releasing the Israelites.

For the ninth plague, Moses stretches his hand towards heaven, and God sends a great darkness. Egypt is pitch black for three days, but the land of the Israelites has light.

Pharaoh tries to make a deal, saying the people can go worship, but their animals must stay behind. Moses refuses, explaining that all of God’s people and their livestock must go—there would not be a single hoof left behind. Pharaoh rejects this and sends Moses away in anger, warning him never to return.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Which of the plagues do you think would be the worst to experience? Why?