The account of the plague of locusts, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, is a significant demonstration of God's power and authority over creation, executed through His chosen servants, Moses and Aaron. This event is part of a series of ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.

Biblical Context

The narrative of the locusts is found in Exodus 10:1-20. This plague is the eighth in the sequence of ten, following the plague of hail and preceding the plague of darkness. Each plague serves as a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's hardened heart, showcasing the supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

The Plague of Locusts

God instructs Moses to approach Pharaoh once more, commanding him to let the Israelites go so that they may serve Him. The Lord warns of the impending plague, stating, "If you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow" (Exodus 10:4). The locusts are described as a devastating force that will cover the land, consuming what remains after the hail and filling the houses of the Egyptians.

Moses and Aaron faithfully deliver God's message to Pharaoh, but his heart remains hardened. In response, Moses stretches out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the Lord drives an east wind across the land all day and night. By morning, the wind brings an overwhelming swarm of locusts. The Scripture records, "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" (Exodus 10:15).

Significance and Theological Implications

The plague of locusts serves multiple purposes within the biblical narrative. It is a direct judgment against the Egyptian gods, particularly those associated with agriculture and fertility, such as Osiris. The devastation wrought by the locusts underscores the futility of relying on false deities and highlights the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Furthermore, this miracle, like the others, is a testament to the authority granted to Moses and Aaron as God's representatives. Their obedience and faithfulness in executing God's commands are pivotal in the unfolding of His divine plan for the liberation of His people.

The locusts also serve as a symbol of divine retribution and a call to repentance. Pharaoh's initial response to the plague is one of urgency and desperation, as he acknowledges his sin and pleads with Moses to intercede with the Lord to remove the locusts. However, once the plague is lifted, Pharaoh's heart is hardened again, illustrating the persistent rebellion of the human heart against God's will.

Conclusion

The miracle of the locusts, as performed through Moses and Aaron, is a powerful demonstration of God's judgment and mercy. It reveals the consequences of disobedience and the lengths to which God will go to fulfill His promises to His people. This event, like the other plagues, is a foundational moment in the history of Israel, shaping their identity as a people chosen and delivered by the mighty hand of God.Exodus 10:13
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... he putteth no trust in his servants, and chargeth ... the centurion was found worthy
through alms-giving ... who, while he was fasting, had wrought miracles, no sooner ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... been laid against them], they have passed through the gate ... the world; and such tender
bowels in God towards them ... lift up his head against his servants, but his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

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