How does Exodus 10:12 demonstrate God's power over nature and creation? Setting the Scene Exodus 10 unfolds in the middle of the plagues on Egypt. Hail has just battered the land (Exodus 9:22-26), but Pharaoh still resists releasing Israel. Into that setting comes verse 12: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt so that the locusts may swarm over the land and devour every plant in the land—everything that the hail has left.’” A Simple Command, a Massive Outcome • One sentence from God directs an entire species of insects. • Moses’ outstretched hand is merely an instrument; the true authority belongs to the Lord who speaks. • The locusts’ arrival is not random—timing, quantity, and purpose all lie under God’s precise control. Layers of Divine Power on Display 1. Sovereign timing – The plague arrives exactly when God determines, showing He governs the calendar of creation (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:1). 2. Exact obedience of nature – Locusts “may swarm” only after God speaks. Creation hears and responds instantly, echoing Psalm 147:15: “He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.” 3. Comprehensive reach – “Devour every plant…everything the hail has left.” God’s directives extend to the tiniest leaf; nothing escapes His notice (Matthew 10:29-30). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Red Sea parted (Exodus 14:21-22). • Quail driven into the camp (Numbers 11:31). • Sun and moon stilled (Joshua 10:12-13). • Elijah’s drought-breaking rain (1 Kings 18:41-45). • Jesus rebuking the wind and waves: “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). All reinforce the same truth: when God speaks, creation submits. Why Locusts? • Locusts were a known force of devastation in the ancient Near East (Joel 1:4). Using them highlights that even nature’s most chaotic swarms move in ordered obedience to their Creator. • The plague directly strikes Egypt’s food supply, exposing the impotence of their gods of agriculture (Exodus 12:12). A Contrast of Authorities Pharaoh: hard-hearted, powerless to stop the insects. The Lord: issues one command, turns the sky black with locusts (Exodus 10:14-15). The contrast underlines that all human authority is limited; God’s is absolute (Psalm 33:9). Creation Sustained by the Word Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, “All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Exodus 10:12 offers a living illustration: the same Word that created locusts now mobilizes them for His purpose. Takeaways for Today • Nature is not autonomous; it operates under God’s continual governance. • The reliability of God’s Word in the natural realm assures the reliability of His promises in the spiritual realm (Isaiah 55:10-11). • Observing His power over creation invites deeper trust when circumstances feel chaotic—He is no less sovereign now than He was in Moses’ day. Summing Up Exodus 10:12 is a vivid snapshot of God’s dominion: a single command that marshals a vast swarm, demonstrating that every element of nature—from hailstones to locusts—answers to Him. |
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