Exodus 10:13

So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts.

Study Bible

So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt,

Moses acted publicly as the Lord’s appointed servant, bearing the staff that had repeatedly marked God’s power over Egypt. The same instrument had accompanied the judgment on the Nile and would later be raised at the Red Sea, showing that Israel’s deliverance came by God’s authority rather than human strength. Egypt, renowned for its wealth, agriculture, and military power, stood helpless before the Creator’s command.

Exo 7:19 Take your staff and stretch out your hand…
Exo 9:23 So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven,…
Exo 14:16 And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand…

and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land.

The Lord directed the wind without interruption, preparing the land for a judgment Pharaoh had been warned would come. East winds could be harsh and destructive in the region, and Scripture elsewhere associates them with scorched crops and calamity. The sustained wind demonstrated that nature itself serves the Lord and that Egypt’s gods could neither restrain His power nor preserve the nation’s food supply.

Exo 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,…
Psa 78:26 He stirred the east wind from the heavens…
Jon 4:8 As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind,…

By morning the east wind had brought the locusts.

The locusts arrived exactly as the Lord had declared, covering Egypt in a devastating invasion that consumed what the hail had left behind. Locust plagues represented complete agricultural ruin, removing both immediate food and the seed needed for future harvests. Pharaoh’s continued resistance brought increasing judgment upon his own land, while the plague pressed forward God’s purpose of delivering Israel from bondage. Later biblical judgments involving locusts likewise portray the terror of divine wrath, yet Egypt’s plagues also prepared the way for redemption through the exodus.

Psa 105:34-35 He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number.…
Psa 78:46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper…
Jol 1:4 What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. In this verse, Moses acts in obedience to God's command, demonstrating his role as an intermediary between God and Pharaoh.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenantal name of God, who is actively involved in delivering His people from slavery. His power is demonstrated through the plagues, including the plague of locusts.

3. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It is the setting for the plagues, which serve as judgments against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods.

4. East Wind
A natural phenomenon used by God to bring about His purposes. In this context, it is the means by which the locusts are brought to Egypt, showcasing God's control over nature.

5. Locusts
The agents of the eighth plague, sent by God to devastate the land of Egypt. They symbolize destruction and judgment, emphasizing the severity of God's actions against Pharaoh's hardened heart.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Commands
Moses' action of stretching out his staff is a model of obedience. Believers are called to trust and obey God's instructions, even when the outcome is not immediately visible.

God's Sovereignty Over Nature
The use of the east wind to bring locusts demonstrates God's control over creation. Christians can find comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including natural events.

Judgment and Repentance
The plague of locusts serves as a warning of judgment for disobedience. It is a call for self-examination and repentance, reminding believers of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God.

God's Deliverance
The plagues, including the locusts, are part of God's plan to deliver His people. This encourages believers to trust in God's deliverance in their own lives, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Moses' obedience in this passage challenge us to respond to God's commands in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the east wind in this account illustrate God's control over nature, and how can this understanding impact our view of current natural events?

3. What can we learn from the plague of locusts about the seriousness of God's judgment and the importance of repentance?

4. How does the account of the plagues, including the locusts, encourage us to trust in God's deliverance in difficult situations?

5. How do the themes of judgment and restoration seen in the account of the locusts connect to other parts of Scripture, and what practical applications can we draw from these connections?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Joel 2:25
This verse speaks of God restoring the years that the locusts have eaten, highlighting God's power to both judge and restore. It connects to the theme of locusts as instruments of divine judgment and the possibility of redemption.

Revelation 9:3
Locusts are used symbolically in the end times, representing a form of divine judgment. This connection underscores the recurring biblical theme of locusts as instruments of God's wrath.

Psalm 78:46
This psalm recounts the plagues of Egypt, including the locusts, as a reminder of God's mighty acts and His deliverance of Israel. It serves as a historical reflection on God's power and faithfulness.