Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that the locusts may swarm over it and devour every plant in the land--everything that the hail has left behind." Then the LORD said to Moses,The Lord continued to direct Moses personally, confirming that the judgments upon Egypt proceeded from His sovereign will. Moses stood before Pharaoh not in his own authority but as the appointed servant and spokesman of the God of Israel. Exo 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread… “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, Moses’ outstretched hand visibly marked the exercise of God’s power against Egypt. The same hand that had been raised over the Red Sea would soon become associated with the Lord’s deliverance of His people and the defeat of their oppressors. Exo 9:22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand… so that the locusts may swarm over it The locust invasion came at God’s command, not as an uncontrolled natural event. Locusts formed one of the most feared disasters in the ancient world because vast swarms could consume a nation’s food supply within a short time. Psalm 105:34–35 later recalls this judgment as evidence of the Lord’s faithfulness in bringing Israel out of Egypt. Psa 105:34-35 He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number.… and devour every plant in the land— Egypt’s fields, trees, and remaining crops were placed under divine judgment. The destruction of the vegetation struck the land’s economy, food reserves, and confidence in its fertility, exposing the impotence of Pharaoh and Egypt’s gods. 2Ch 7:13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command… everything that the hail has left behind.” The locusts completed the devastation begun by the hail, leaving Egypt without relief from the consequences of Pharaoh’s hardened resistance. God’s judgments were deliberate and cumulative, while His repeated warnings demonstrated both His authority and His patience. Psa 105:32-33 He gave them hail for rain, with lightning… Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over creation and the gods of Egypt. 2. Moses The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. 3. Egypt The land where the Israelites were enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry. 4. Locusts A plague sent by God as a judgment against Egypt, symbolizing destruction and divine retribution. 5. Pharaoh The ruler of Egypt, whose hardened heart leads to the suffering of his people and the eventual liberation of the Israelites. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NatureThe plague of locusts demonstrates God's control over creation. He uses natural elements to fulfill His purposes and execute judgment. The Consequences of a Hardened Heart Pharaoh's refusal to heed God's warnings results in devastation for Egypt. This serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and disobedience. The Call to Repentance Just as the plagues were a call for Pharaoh to repent, they remind us of the importance of turning away from sin and seeking God's mercy. God's Faithfulness to His People Despite the trials, God remains faithful to His covenant with Israel, ultimately leading them to freedom. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises. The Power of Obedience Moses' obedience in stretching out his hand as commanded by God is a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions, even when the task seems daunting. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the plague of locusts in Exodus 10:12 illustrate God's sovereignty over creation, and how can this understanding impact our daily lives?2. In what ways does Pharaoh's hardened heart serve as a warning for us today, and how can we guard against similar attitudes? 3. How do the plagues in Egypt, including the locusts, foreshadow the judgments described in the book of Revelation? 4. What lessons can we learn from Moses' obedience to God's command, and how can we apply these lessons in our own walk with God? 5. How does the account of the plagues, including the locusts, encourage us to trust in God's faithfulness and His promises to deliver us from our own "Egypts"? Connections to Other Scriptures Joel 2The prophet Joel also speaks of a locust invasion as a symbol of judgment, calling the people to repentance and highlighting God's power to restore. Revelation 9 Locusts appear again as agents of judgment in the end times, emphasizing the theme of divine retribution and the call to repentance. Psalm 105 This psalm recounts the plagues of Egypt, including the locusts, as a testament to God's faithfulness and power in delivering His people.
People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, Red SeaTopics Destruction, Devour, Eat, Egypt, Fields, Green, Growing, Hail, Herb, Ice-storm, Locust, Locusts, Plant, Stretch, Stretched, Swarm, UntouchedDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 10:12 1653 numbers, 6-10 4512 staff Library Full RedemptionNow, it seems to me, that this grand quarrel of old is but a picture of God's continual contest with the powers of darkness. The mandate has gone forth to earth and hell: "Thus saith the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me." "No," saith Satan, "they shall not." And if he be compelled to yield one point, he still retains his hold upon another. If he must give way, it shall be inch by inch. Evil is hard in dying; it will not readily be overcome. But this is the demand of God, and to he last … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. ) Exodus Links Exodus 10:12 NIVExodus 10:12 NLT Exodus 10:12 ESV Exodus 10:12 NASB Exodus 10:12 KJV Exodus 10:12 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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