Exodus

Exodus 10:1-2

Plague #8 Locusts

Once again the text states that the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart.  The dark rebellious heart of Pharaoh that he hardened against the Lord from the beginning was further hardened as the Lord moves.  With every move of the Lord, Pharaoh's heart is further hardened – this is presented as though the Lord hardened it. 

This was all part of God's design.  The hard heart of Pharaoh would be the opportunity to perform the signs among the Egyptians so that they become part of the heritage of the Hebrews.  These actions of the Lord present His power and authority to be presented to the children throughout generations.  Why? 

Exodus 10:3-6

This eighth plague came by way of an announcement before Pharaoh.  Pharaoh had said he did not know this God of the Hebrews.  Who was this God and why should Pharaoh listen to Him.  The Lord continued to introduce Himself to Pharaoh in regards to His dealing with His creation.  Pharaoh continued to refuse to humble himself, to declare Yahweh as Lord, as Almighty and the Power he should defer to.  Pharaoh's continued rebellion would bring a plague of locusts.  It's hard for us to imagine how devastating this would be to these people.  A swarm of locust could devastate the food supply in very short order and there nothing they could do but watch.  This was, by far, the scariest plague so far to the Egyptians. 

The Lord spoke of the sheer size of this plague when He promised they would cover the ground.  He made clear the work they would do on His behalf by saying they would devour what little they had left after the hail.  He presented it as a supernatural event by saying no one alive would have ever seen anything like what was about to come their way.  At this, every person who ever lived through a locust plague remembered how it had been.  This would be worse.  Starvation was a very real possibility.

Exodus 10:7-8

A 'snare' is a hook or noose to capture an animal.  Moses had become a snare to them as they had become captive and oppressed within their own land.  Land they thought they possessed and ruled over. 

Things had to be getting bad for these men to speak up.  To openly ask him if he realized that Egypt was ruined could be life threatening.  They opened themselves to sever punishment or death.  It shows they felt their lives were threatened anyway.  We can see by Pharaoh's response that he was in agreement. 

Exodus 10:9-11

Pharaoh at first said he Moses could go, take the people but he needed to know who was going.  The Lord would not allow His people divided by Pharaoh. Everyone would go, or no one would.  Pharaoh uses the name of Yahweh in saying he knew the Lord would help them.  He saw it as 'if' the women and children went, it was clear indication they would not return (How very perceptive of him, he's catching on!)   Pharaoh sees this as an evil.  It's strange how the work of God can seem evil to an evil man.  He wanted the women and children left in the land.  Moses and Aaron were driven out. 

Exodus 10:12-15

Once again, Moses would stretch out his hand with the power of God behind it.  All of Egypt would suffer from this plague.  The Israelites may have wondered or complained that God did not exempt them from this plague.  However, they were under the Lord's care and they would be leaving soon. 

Once again, we see a day pass, a time to prepare, to ponder the possibility of a plague.  An east wind blew, when it was morning the locusts were there.  It is clear they were delivered supernaturally.  There had never been a plague like this, now would there ever be again.  This was a 'one of a kind' even made just for them.  They covered everything and ate everything, as promised. 

Exodus 10:16-20

Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron back after having driven them out.  He confessed that he had sinned, asked for forgiveness and relief from the plague.  It was the prayer of Moses that moved the Lord to send a west wind to blow them into the sea.  All the locusts were supernaturally removed as quickly as they came.  Notice, once again, there are no magicians present or attempted to impress with the secret arts. 

The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart once again. 

Exodus 10:21-29

Plague #9 Darkness

The ninth plague will come without an announcement or warning.  It will come from the hand of the Lord due to the hard heart of Pharaoh.  Some commentaries speak of a sandstorm as the means of darkness.  However, this is a more of a spiritual nature, a supernatural darkness, as if the Lord pulled back the veil we see as reality and showed them the darkness of a rebellious and sin-fallen world.  It was a darkness that could be felt.  What does darkness feel like?  This was 3 days of total darkness where no one could see anyone else and or move about. 

Once again, Pharaoh summoned Moses whom he had driven off.  This time he said to go but leave behind the flocks and herds.  Moses would not compromise.  Not only would they not leave anything behind, the Lord said they would leave with the spoils of Egypt.  

And again, the hardness of Pharaoh's heart surfaced.  He drove Moses away with a threat.  He was to make sure he never appeared before him again.  Moses said it would be done as Pharaoh said. 

Exodus 11:1-3

It appears this conversation happened before Moses left the presence of Pharaoh the last time.  God let Moses know there was one last plague.  Soon they were leaving.  It appears the Israelites didn't live separated from the population of Egypt but were mixed among them.  They looked on the Israelites and Moses with favor.  It appears there was a level of respect and fear for their God.  It may be that some of these people were spared of the effects of the plagues by being the neighbors of the Israelites.  The Israelites were to ask for silver and gold from their neighbors.  I can imagine most would say, "Let me think about it."  However, later they would pay them to leave.

Exodus 11:4-10

Moses heard from the Lord and then turned to Pharaoh to let him know what the Lord said.  There is no distinction in the plague, it would bring death to every firstborn son and firstborn of the cattle.  Aaron would have been the firstborn of Moses' family.  This plague will bring a great cry of distress and anguish.  This would be greater anguish than ever experienced before in the land and there would never be anything like this again. 

By contrast, not even a dog would growl at anyone, a stark contrast of safety among the Israelites and extensive death among Egyptians.  From this contrast, it will then be obvious there was a distinction made between the people of God and the Egyptians.  The Israelites were not exempt from the plague but the Lord would inform them on how to avoid it.  To strike the firstborn was to strike the heir.  The firstborn embodied a hope for the future among the Egyptians.  To strike this would damage and demoralize.  However, to strike the firstborn of Pharaoh was to strike at the authority and divine nature of the Pharaoh.  This was foundational to their beliefs.  This would simply rock their world.

Moses seems to be doing the speaking instead of speaking through Aaron.  He is bolder now as he tells Pharaoh all the people will come bowing before him.  They would tell him to go and he would go.  Moses is hot with anger, even though the Lord had told him that Pharaoh wouldn't listen.  The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, a stubborn and prideful heart; a rebellious and arrogant heart.

Exodus 12:1-11

The final plague would be the death of the firstborn.  The warning of the plague and the institution of it act as brackets within which the Passover is detailed.  The Passover is the remedy to the plague, the means of distinction. 

The Lord changed their calendar, showing this as a defining event, a new beginning.  This month Abib, the time of March/April, was known as the time when barley ripens.  This would become Nissan.  On the 10^th of Nissan a lamb would be selected for the family – this could also be a goat.  There would typically be a lamb for the family.  Smaller households could combine with others.  They could determine how much lamb was needed for this.  It wasn't about the feast, though, it was about the symbol. 

The 10^th of the month is an important time.  We see the Passover points toward Jesus and when He rode into Jerusalem, it was likely the 10^th of Nissan when people were selecting their lambs.  Joshua entered the promised land on the 10^th day of the month.  The day of Atonement is on the 10^th day of the month. 

They kept their lamb for 4 days, caring for it.  Did the kids name it after 4 days?  It was known by them.  It was personal.  Killing it would be difficult and there would be a sense of loss.  The life is in the blood and it was the blood of this lamb they would mark their doors with.  It was a God-ordained exchange, the blood of the innocent lamb for the life of the those behind the blood.  When the day came, it was likely sad to slaughter the lamb and capture its life and mark the frame of their home. 

The lamb was roasted and then ate with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  It was ate with their cloak tucked in, ready to move in haste.  They were to have their sandals on, ready to leave and the staff in hand.  They were to eat it in haste, as though they didn't want to miss the bus!

Note: Sometime later, after the Exodus.  There were many empty homes with blood stained frames.  It was though they left in a hurry.  While there was no one home, everyone knew where those folks went because of the blood by their door.  Will someone say that about you some day?  When they see the lifeless shell of a body, they'll know where you are because you were marked by the blood.   They'll know you went to be with God!

Exodus 12:12-13

Notice the first person claim by God, that it is He who will pass through the land and strike down the firstborn.  Then He links this action to the bringing judgment on the gods of Israel.  The judgment was against the people, but it also dealt with their gods, who were no gods at all.  This is the first reference to judging the gods, I'm not sure we should link it to all the plagues.  In a general sense, their gods were show powerless, useless and to be only idols in which they placed a false hope.  The magicians who thought they controlled and found favor with the gods were show to be fools and powerless.  Ever other power, including their 'secret arts' was subject to the power of Yahweh. 

The blood on the houses would indicate where the were and the Lord would pass over them.  The presence of the blood was their protection.  The blood of the lamb guarded them and kept them from the plague or judgment.  This is all a foreshadow of Jesus Christ. 

Exodus 12:14-20

This was a defining moment in the heritage of Israel, a day they were to never forget.  The Lord instructed them to set it as a lasting ordinance.  Passover celebrated the beginning of the exodus.  Later, it was joined to the Feast of Unleavened bread for seven days.  They removed all leaven from their homes.  This commemorates them leaving in haste and their bread did not rise.  Leaven is also a type of sin.  On the first day of the week after Passover, the feast of First Fruits begins.  This was instituted as a celebration of the harvest.  They would bring grain or fruit as an offering, a representative of the entire harvest.  The first fruits were presented in thankfulness, recognizing the entire harvest is His.  Paul called Jesus the first fruits from the grave.  The season of first fruits is between the resurrection and Pentecost.

We see the seriousness of this commemoration in that anyone not purging the yeast from their home would be 'cut off'.  This is thought to mean ostracized from the community. 

Exodus 12:21-23

Can you imagine Moses telling these leaders this.  On one hand, they had seen some incredible plagues and the miracle of God's protection from them as He made a distinction between them and Egyptians.  On the hand, this just sounded crazy.  The blood appears to do 2 things here.  The Lord sees it and passes over, but also the Lord will not permit the destroyer to come in and strike you down.  This is probably meant to say the same thing in two different ways; He wouldn't strike them down or let destruction enter in their homes.  The 'destroyer' can easily mean 'destruction' also.  In Psalm 78, it says that angels took the lives of the firstborn.  Obviously, they do so at the Lord's permission or specific direction. 

Exodus 12:24-28

We are always just one generation from forgetting the sins or our past, the moves of God in lives and land and the connection to the lives of those who went before.  The commemoration was to be everlasting, passed from generation to generation so as not to forget. 

Exodus 12:29-30

It was in the dark of night, the dark plague came on the land.  How frightening it must have been for those people who suffered through this awful time.  It's one of those moments when we might think God wasn't really fair to them.  To do so, though, is to reveal an opportunity to learn more about God's holiness and our sinfulness.  God was patient, the plagues were judgments inviting a change, but it did not come.  How many judgments has our nation experienced and we've not moved from our wicked ways. 

The plague struck equally across all of the culture and society.  No one was exempt except those behind the blood of the lamb.  There was not one house without someone dead.  Think about that.  

Exodus 12:31-32

There is an urgency to Pharaoh's words when Moses and Aaron were summoned.  The first plague he walked away from, not taking it to heart.  This 10^th plague was taken to heart and his hard heart was broken.  The urgency is seen in the imperatives, 'up, leave, go and take.'  Then he asked to be blessed by the God, he at first did not know, did not believe in and did not respect or revere greater than himself. 

Exodus 12:33-36

The Egyptians also felt the urgency to get the Israelites out of the country.  They suddenly understood that any further delay could, or would be their demise.  They were to hurry and go.  They left quickly, grabbing their bread dough before yeast was added – later symbolized in the celebration with unleavened bread.  They asked the Egyptians silver, gold and clothing.  These things that once meant so much to them, now meant very little.  Their perspective was new in light of a destroyed culture and the loss of their firstborn.  This made the people favorably disposed and they gave them what they wanted. 

This was the act of plundering the world's super power at the time.  God had conquered a nation without firing a shot.  Their economy was destroyed, their food supply scarce or nonexistent, their gods were shown powerless.  They were an example of godless leadership; moral issues, ethical problems, a ruling class out of touch with people, hardheartedness, a destroyed economy and spirituality. 

Exodus 12:37-39

The territory of Goshen was about a 60-mile x 15-mile swath of land south of Ramses.  It included Pithom and Succoth.  The order to leave had to travel across that area.  Succoth was to become a staging area and everyone was to make their way there.  The number of 6000 thousand men means there were probably 1.5 million or more leaving.  The term 'men' implies soldiers or combatants while the next word for women and children is noncombatants.  Other people went also.  This may have been some slaves from other lands.  However, we know from Leviticus 24:10-16 that some Egyptians went.   

They are pictured leaving in mass and in haste, with their families, livestock and even their bread and in possession of the spoils of Egypt. 

Exodus 12:40-42

Genesis 15:13 says that Israel was afflicted in Egypt for 400 years.  This passage says the length of time they lived in Egypt is 430.  It appears the first 30 years were the transition from Egypt providing food and life to oppressing and afflicting them.  Many commentaries dismiss these as round numbers when the passage says it happened on the very day of the anniversary of their arrival.  This means the anniversary Jacob's arrival coincides with the departure.  See Genesis 46 for Jacob's journey to Egypt.

Note:  The problem is matching the genealogies to the timeline.  This is probably indication that the genealogies are selective and not specifically complete at every generation.

The final day in Egypt must have been a nervous one, always waiting for it to all fall apart.  They expected Pharaoh to change his mind and send them back.  They kept vigil that final night as the Lord kept vigil over them.  This vigil is to be celebrated throughout the generations.  The Israelites are 'regiments to the Lord' and are ready to leave.

Exodus 12:43-50

The Passover rules are inserted here so as to maintain their importance and association with the people.  This was not to be forgotten.  There was nothing they did, it was God's kindness and sovereign act to bring them out.  This was to be a source of thankfulness and a point of humility, remembering His view towards them and their place before Him. 

This same idea is a type of the Christian life.  We bring nothing to that transaction; we only leave our old life behind.  All the work is His, the glory is His and we should never forget it.  This is why we celebrate the Lord's supper regularly.  There should be a humility in seeing His view towards us and remembering our place before Him.

©2020 Doug Ford