Lesson #5 - Locusts, Darkness & Death of Firstborn

Terry Siverd
06/05/16 - Sun AM

Series: God's Man Moses - Israel's Exodus From Egypt

Plague of Locusts And Plague of Darkness / Chapter Ten

1. Locusts (grasshoppers) swarmed the land. – vss.1-20

  This account was to be told to future generations - - how Jehovah God made a mockery of mighty Egypt. vs.2

~ In the aftermath of the hailstone, God sent locusts to devour whatever was left that was yet green.

They would be so pervasive that “no one shall be able to see the land”. – vs.5

The  houses of the Egyptians were filled with locusts.

  Pharaoh’s servants implored him to release the Hebrews saying, “Egypt is destroyed”. – vs.7

~ Yet Pharaoh declined - - He would not allow the children and livestock to accompany the exodus. – vss.10-11

The thinking here is that the children could serve as a hostage requiring the Israelites to return.

  An east wind brought the locusts and they blackened the sky. – vs.15

~ Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron declaring, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you”. – vs.16

He asked for forgiveness.  Moses prayed and God relented by shifting the wind.

~Once again Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he recants as to letting Israel go.

2. Darkness fell upon the land. – vss.21-29

  A darkness so dense that it could be felt enveloped the land of Egypt. – vs.21

~This lasted for three days and everyone stayed in their dwellings.

~ Yet the sons of Israel had light in the land of Goshen. – vs.23

  Pharaoh agreed to let the children go as well, but the livestock had to remain. – vs.24

~ Moses countered by declaring, “not a hoof will be left behind”. – vs.26

~ Pharaoh denied this stipulation and warned them, “the next time you see my face you will die.”

Announcement of Final Plague - - Death of Firstborn / Chapter Eleven

1. In prep for the final plague (which would bring their release), the children of Israel were to request silver & gold. – vs.2

(As to this “plundering of Egypt”, see Ex.3:21-22; 12:35-36 with Ex.25:2f; 35:4-9 & 36:3-7).

  About midnight Moses initiates God’s final plague - - the death of the firstborn of all of Egypt. – vs.4

~Such would include all Egyptian families (including those enslaved as well as Pharaoh’s own) and their cattle as well.

Ex.12:12 states that the plague would be against both man and beasts. 

~This would result in ”a great cry in all the land”. – vs.6

2. For yet a little while longer, Pharaoh’s stubbornness causes him to refuse to listen.

  Moses departs in “hot anger”, but not before prophesying that Pharaoh’s servants would soon beg them to leave.

? Your assignment for next week:  read Exodus 12-13 regarding the details of The Passover.