Through the plague judgments, Yahweh said, “And so you will know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 10:2.) What did the people learn about Yahweh?

He is utterly unique and separate from all of creation.

He is active in His creation, intimately directing the affairs of mankind and the world.

As the all-righteous God, He desires the worship of His people (as He deserves).

As the Creator-Owner of all, He demands the obedience of all creatures.

When Moses announced the plague of locusts, Pharaoh’s officials panicked. They urged their king to release the Israelites to avoid further destruction of their country. Pharaoh appeared to listen to them but in negotiating with Moses on the details, he changed his mind again. Once more, his pride made him stubborn.

So Yahweh demonstrated His control over nature yet again. He used the east wind to blow in the locusts. The insects ate all the remaining vegetation in the country. Then He used the west wind to blow the locusts away into the Red Sea.

With the next plague judgment, Yahweh made a darkness so thick, one could feel it. This caused Pharaoh to summon Moses. The king gave Moses permission to leave but demanded that they leave their animals behind. He was still trying to show he had some level of authority! But Moses refused—all Israel and all their animals must be allowed to leave.

Pharaoh’s refusal led to the tenth plague judgment. In their final meeting, Pharaoh unintentionally foretold how the plague judgments would end. He told Moses to never come back to see him again. And this statement turned out to be true, but not in the way he expected. Pharaoh made the death threat to Moses but it would be Moses who would survive the confrontation.

Since God was in control of the events, He told Moses that the tenth plague judgment would be the final one and after that, Pharaoh would drive Israel out of Egypt. In preparation for leaving, God instructed the Hebrews to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold. God was providing financial compensation for all the years of unpaid slave labour! The Egyptians would do it because God had already caused them to look favourably upon Moses and the Israelites.

The threat to kill the firstborn was very significant. The firstborn son in any family was the main heir of the family fortune and would become responsible for the family. The firstborn of the king ensured that his dynasty and kingdom would continue. So the death of the firstborn would be a devastating disaster!

God said that this plague judgment would reach every level of Egypt: from the king to the lowliest servant. Even their remaining animals would be affected. This plague judgment would wreck the nation for years to come. And to make its effects even more devastating on Egypt, the sons of Israel would be spared.

Today’s reading ends with Exodus 11:9–10 which is a summary of all that has happened. When we think back through the months of plague judgments, we see God patiently revealing Himself to both Israel and Egypt. When Pharaoh continued to harden his heart and remain stubborn, God increased the intensity of the judgments. These supernatural events should have produced humility, repentance and submission to Yahweh. But Pharaoh hardened his heart to the point where God had to act decisively against him.