Exodus 10 Commentary
This chapter records two signs; the Locusts sign and the Darkness sign.
The LORD calls them signs because that is what they are. They are symbols. Just like a heartbeat would be a sign of life, so are these signs here. They are indicating and at the same time confirming the presence of God. The LORD gives us hints on the wider purpose. The children and grandchildren must be told about these events. There is no better way to preserve this information than having it in print. The aim is to preserve a special knowledge of their God as the LORD.
The Bible explains itself. Its purpose is stated. It’s for succeeding generations to know the mighty works of the LORD.
The signs began to affect the economy of the nation – a fact that Pharaoh’s officials appreciated more than their boss. The sign of Locusts is swiftly followed by the sign of ‘Darkness’.
To our ears these signs appear random acts of punishment but in reality they serve a deeper role. The message is that the LORD is lord over elements of weather and not Egyptian gods. The sign of ‘darkness’ for three days is a strong message to the prominent Egyptian sun god or god of the sun.
Pretenders had hijacked and diverted glory to themselves by claiming control over elements of weather. Some claimed they made rain while others claimed to facilitate fertility of both the womb and the soil. Others stood prominently above the rest like the sun god. Darkness for 3 days at Moses’ command and on instruction from the LORD exposed these pretender gods.
But there is even a bigger (more stubborn) god than an array of Egyptian gods that the LORD is dealing with here. This god is called Pharaoh. He refuses to yield and so the game remains a tie. We await another match!
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