Topical Encyclopedia Biblical Context:The account of Moses and Aaron warning Pharaoh about the impending plague of locusts is found in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 10:1-20. This event is part of a series of ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The narrative highlights the sovereignty of God, the hardness of Pharaoh's heart, and the obedience of Moses and Aaron as God's chosen leaders. Scriptural Account: In Exodus 10:1-2 , the LORD instructs Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, and so that you may tell your children and grandchildren how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and what signs I performed among them, and so that you may know that I am the LORD." Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh with a divine message, warning him of the forthcoming plague of locusts. They convey God's command: "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me" (Exodus 10:3). The warning is clear: if Pharaoh refuses, a devastating swarm of locusts will cover the land, consuming everything left after the previous plagues. Pharaoh's Response: Despite the dire warning, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. His officials, however, begin to question the wisdom of resisting God's command, urging Pharaoh to release the Israelites. In Exodus 10:7 , they plead, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is in ruins?" Pharaoh, momentarily swayed, calls Moses and Aaron back and offers a compromise, allowing only the men to go and worship the LORD. Moses insists that the entire community, including women, children, and livestock, must be allowed to leave. Pharaoh, in his stubbornness, refuses and drives them out of his presence. The Plague of Locusts: Following Pharaoh's refusal, Moses stretches out his staff over Egypt as instructed by the LORD, and an east wind brings a massive swarm of locusts. The locusts cover the land, consuming every plant and fruit, leaving Egypt in desolation. Exodus 10:15 describes the scene: "They covered the face of all the land, so that the land was darkened, and they devoured every plant in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Nothing green remained on any tree or plant in the field throughout the land of Egypt." Pharaoh's Plea and God's Mercy: In desperation, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron, confessing his sin against the LORD and pleading for forgiveness. He asks them to pray to the LORD to remove the locusts. Moses prays, and the LORD responds by shifting the wind, driving the locusts into the Red Sea, and sparing Egypt further devastation. However, despite this act of mercy, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go. Theological Significance: This narrative underscores the themes of divine judgment and mercy, the power of God over creation, and the futility of resisting His will. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate authority over the rulers of the earth. The account of the locust plague is a vivid reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's commands. Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People Moses: Character of Called the Man of God Moses: Character of Complainings of Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend Moses: Character of Impatience of Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad Moses: Character of Magnified of God Moses: Character of Meekness of Moses: Character of Obedience of Moses: Character of Respected and Feared Moses: Character of Unaspiring Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision Moses: His Loyalty to his Race Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored Moses: Institutes a System of Government Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses Related Terms |