Exodus 10 takes us deeper into the struggle between Pharaoh and God, showcasing the escalating power of God’s plagues and the growing resistance of Pharaoh’s heart. This chapter is a powerful reminder of the tension between divine judgment and mercy, and it speaks directly to us about how we respond to God’s calls, especially when His will challenges our comfort and pride.
The chapter begins with God instructing Moses to go back to Pharaoh and deliver yet another message. God tells Moses that He has hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that He may display His mighty power through these plagues, and so that His name may be proclaimed throughout the earth. This opening statement sets the stage for us to understand that the plagues are not just punitive actions, but part of a larger plan to reveal God’s sovereignty and to make His glory known. For us, it’s a powerful reminder that our trials, our struggles, and even our moments of hardship can become part of a larger narrative that serves to glorify God, even when we cannot immediately see how. God works not only in the outcomes but in the process itself, shaping us as we walk through life’s difficulties.
Moses and Aaron stand before Pharaoh once more, demanding, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Again, Pharaoh refuses, and God warns that if Pharaoh continues to resist, He will bring locusts into the land, devouring everything left after the previous plagues. The threat of the locusts is terrifying—the land will be so overrun that nothing will remain of the crops or the trees. Pharaoh’s officials are deeply shaken by this warning, and they begin to plead with Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, fearing the complete destruction of Egypt. This moment resonates with us because it shows how we, too, can sometimes resist change until the consequences of our actions become too severe to ignore. Often, it takes something catastrophic to get our attention, and like Pharaoh, we can be slow to respond, even when we see the writing on the wall.
Pharaoh, however, continues to stand firm in his refusal. He allows Moses to bring a plea for the release of the Israelites, but he tries to bargain with Moses, offering to let the men go but not their families, or allowing the Israelites to offer sacrifices, but only in Egypt. Moses refuses the compromise, making it clear that the call to freedom is all-encompassing. For us, this is a challenge: how often do we settle for partial solutions when God calls us to total surrender? Pharaoh’s negotiation tactics mirror how we sometimes try to limit God’s work in our lives, asking Him to fix part of our situation while keeping control over the rest. God, however, demands all of us, and His call is never for just partial obedience.
The next plague, the swarm of locusts, comes just as God predicted. The locusts cover the entire land, eating every last remaining crop. The devastation is total, and Pharaoh finally admits his sin and begs Moses to intercede for him. In this moment, we see a glimmer of repentance, but it is short-lived. Moses prays, and the wind blows the locusts into the Red Sea, where they are swept away. Pharaoh’s response, once again, is to harden his heart, refusing to truly repent. This back-and-forth pattern, where Pharaoh acknowledges his wrongdoing only to return to stubbornness, challenges us to examine our own repentance. How often do we confess our sins, but only temporarily, without truly allowing God to transform our hearts? Genuine repentance is not just asking for relief but also a willingness to change and submit to God’s will.
Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, and God instructs Moses to bring one more plague: darkness that will cover the land for three days. This thick darkness is described as so palpable that the people cannot even see one another or move. For the Egyptians, darkness represents more than just the absence of light; it symbolizes the absence of hope, order, and control. For the Israelites, however, there is light in their dwellings. This contrast speaks volumes. In the face of judgment, God still provides for His people. As we go through our own periods of darkness, we can take comfort in knowing that even in the darkest of times, God’s light shines for those who are His. It’s a reminder that no matter how overwhelming our struggles may seem, God’s protection is real, and His presence is a constant source of hope.
After the darkness has covered the land, Pharaoh once again calls Moses. He offers to let the Israelites go, but he refuses to allow them to take their flocks and herds. Moses makes it clear that they cannot leave without taking their livestock, as they must offer sacrifices to God. Pharaoh, in his stubbornness, rejects this offer and threatens Moses with death if he ever sees his face again. At this point, Moses declares that he will not see Pharaoh’s face again, signifying the end of negotiations.
Exodus 10 is a chapter that shows us the consequences of hardening our hearts against God’s will. Pharaoh’s repeated refusal to let the Israelites go, despite the growing devastation of the plagues, paints a vivid picture of human resistance to divine authority. For us, this chapter raises the question: how do we respond when God calls us to obedience? Pharaoh’s story serves as a warning that delaying or resisting God’s will only brings more hardship—not just for us, but for others as well. But we are also reminded that in the midst of judgment, God’s mercy is present. He gives Pharaoh repeated chances to repent and offers us the same mercy, time and time again.
The plagues in Exodus 10 serve as both judgment and an invitation to repentance. Each plague brings more destruction, but each one is also an opportunity for Pharaoh to recognize God’s sovereignty and turn his heart toward obedience. Unfortunately, Pharaoh refuses to do so, and his refusal ultimately leads to the ultimate cost: the Israelites’ freedom is only won through continued hardship and divine intervention.
In our own lives, Exodus 10 challenges us to think about our responses to God’s calls. Do we resist, like Pharaoh, even when the consequences are clear? Or do we open our hearts to God’s will, trusting that His plan, though sometimes difficult, is for our ultimate good and freedom? As we reflect on this chapter, let us examine where we may be holding on to stubbornness or pride, and ask God to soften our hearts, making us more willing to follow His lead.