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Exodus 10 “God’s Abandonment”

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5–7 minutes

Exodus 10 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

God appears to Moses and tells him once again to go to Pharaoh, explaining that it is He Himself who has hardened Pharaoh’s heart (v.1). Because Pharaoh continually chose sin and hardened his own heart to the point of no return, God now intends to harden his heart further and use him as a tool to display His power. Through this, God wants the Israelites to come to know who their God truly is (v.2).

Upon hearing this, Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh. They demand that he let the Israelites go, warning him that if he refuses, a swarm of locusts will sweep across all of Egypt (vv.3–6). After Moses and Aaron leave the palace, Pharaoh’s officials plead with him to grant their request. Egypt had already suffered severe damage from the previous seven plagues. The officials urge Pharaoh, saying, “Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?” (v.7). When a leader stubbornly persists, the people bear the consequences.

Pharaoh listens to the counsel of his officials and summons Moses and Aaron once again. He asks them, “If I allow it, who exactly will be going?” (v.8). When they reply that all the Israelites, including their livestock, will go (v.10), Pharaoh becomes furious and drives them out (v.11). He had already perceived that their true intention was for the entire nation to leave Egypt.

God then tells Moses to stretch out his hand over Egypt; when he does, an east wind blows throughout the night and day. That wind brings in an overwhelming swarm of locusts that covers the land of Egypt (vv.12–14). The locusts devour everything that had survived the earlier hailstorm—every fruit and plant left on the trees (v.15). At this point, Pharaoh calls Moses and Aaron back and confesses, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and you” (v.16). He pleads with them to pray that this disaster would be taken away (v.17). Moses leaves the palace and prays to the Lord, and the Lord sends a strong west wind that drives the locusts out of Egypt (vv.18–19). Yet once again, when the crisis passes, Pharaoh changes his mind (v.20). This was the eighth plague.

Sometime later, the Lord appears to Moses again and tells him to stretch out his hand toward the sky (v.21). When Moses obeys, a thick darkness covers the whole land of Egypt for three days (v.22). However, where the Israelites lived, there was no darkness (v.23). Pharaoh summons Moses again and gives him permission to go and worship—but with a condition: they must leave their livestock behind (v.24). Pharaoh was willing to let the people go, but not their possessions. Moses refuses this proposal, explaining that sacrifices are required for worship, and they will need their livestock for that reason (vv.25–26). Pharaoh once again hardens his heart (v.27). He drives Moses away and warns him that if he appears before Pharaoh again, he will be killed (v.28). Moses replies that Pharaoh will not see his face again (v.29).

Meditation:

In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul describes the sinful nature of humanity and speaks of “God’s abandonment.” He writes, “What may be known about God is plain to them” (v.19). Yet, people do not seek to know God and instead exchange the glory He has given them for shameful sin. God continually calls them to turn away from their wickedness and return to Him. However, some ultimately reject God’s call and choose sin instead. In such cases, God “gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity” (v.24). Paul further explains, “Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (v.28).

This is the shift that occurred between God and Pharaoh. In the beginning, Pharaoh still had room to repent and turn back. That is why God began with lighter plagues. But Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart and rejected God’s call. As his heart grew increasingly unyielding, to the point of no return, God gave him over to his sinful nature. The Greek word translated as “gave them over” is paradidomi, which can also mean “to hand over” or “to surrender.” The final recourse for those who persist in choosing evil is to be handed over to their own choices. At that point, only two outcomes remain: either the person realizes their condition and repents, or they continue on the path to destruction.

Pharaoh, the absolute ruler of Egypt, appeared powerful, but in truth, he was a prisoner shackled by his own stubbornness, leading himself and his people to ruin. The worst possible fate for a person is to be abandoned by God. That is why the Apostle Paul issues this stern warning: “Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5).

Prayer:

Lord, may our daily lives never become a process of storing up Your wrath. Instead, through the blood of the cross, may we be declared righteous and live each day building up righteousness. Let the day of wrath, when Your righteous judgment is revealed, become for us a day of thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: When we keep saying “No” to God and choose our own way, our hearts can become hard like Pharaoh’s. But God gives us many chances to turn back to Him. The worst thing is to be left alone in our sin. That’s why we should listen to God with soft hearts and follow Him daily.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • Why did Pharaoh keep saying “no” to God, even after the bad things happened?
    • What does it mean to have a “soft heart” toward God?
    • Can you think of a time when you didn’t listen to someone trying to help you? How did it turn out?

  • For Youth

    • In what ways can someone resist God’s voice today, without even realizing it?
    • Why do you think God eventually “gave Pharaoh over” to his own choices?
    • In what ways can we practice softening our hearts toward God in daily life, even when we feel distant or stubborn?

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