{"id":41048,"date":"2018-09-27T09:20:45","date_gmt":"2018-09-27T06:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=41048"},"modified":"2022-04-27T07:12:42","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T04:12:42","slug":"exodus-10-turning-up-the-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/exodus-10-turning-up-the-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Exodus 10: Turning up the Pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Locusts. Darkness.<\/b><\/p>\n

The plague of locusts<\/b> (10:1-20) strikes all the vegetation in Egypt, that is, everything that wasn’t destroyed by the plague of hail in the last chapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The plague is described at length and all the characters in the story appear in the description. This is an opportunity to see what each of them thinks (and plans) at this point in time:<\/span><\/p>\n

God<\/b> – This is the point where God takes over Pharaoh’s heart, reinforcing his refusal to let the Israelites go. Why? “So that I may show My signs among them” (10:1). The plagues are signs, and they are an educational process, not only for Pharaoh and his people but also (and perhaps especially) for the Israelites – “…and that you may tell your son, and your son’s son… that you may know that I am the Lord” (10:3).<\/span><\/p>\n

Moses, and Aaron at his side<\/b> – continue to be the determined emissaries who repeat the message almost every time they speak to Pharaoh: “Let My people go that they may serve Me” (10:3), and if you don’t…<\/span><\/p>\n

Pharaoh’s servants<\/b> – voice the pragmatic opinion: “A<\/span>nd Pharaoh’s servants said to him: Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Don’t you realize yet that Egypt is lost?<\/span>” (10:7).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pharaoh<\/b> – negotiates (again) over the nature of the celebration in the desert and who will take part – “who will be going”? (10:8). Moses insists on a full ensemble and negotiations fail. After the devastating plague Pharaoh apologizes (again) \u00a0and asks Moses and Aaron (again) to put an end to the plague. But when it ends, so does Pharaoh’s goodwill (again).<\/span><\/p>\n

The plague of darkness (10:21-29). <\/b>Three verses (21-23) describe a plague that lasts three days, during which an extremely thick darkness (“and the darkness was tangible,” 10:21) which prevents the Egyptians from moving, while “all the Israelites had light in their settlements” (10:23).<\/span><\/p>\n

After the plague, negotiations between Pharaoh and Moses are resumed. Moses’ obstinacy infuriates Pharaoh and then this interaction takes place: “And Pharaoh said to him: <\/span>Get away from me, take heed, and see my face no more; for the day you see my face you shall die. And Moses said: Truly have you spoken; never I will see your face again” (10:28-29). What does Moses mean? We’ll find out in the upcoming chapters…<\/span><\/p>\n

Points to ponder:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The voices of the people<\/b>. When the leader hardens his heart, his servants express both sensibility and distress (10:7): “<\/span>Don’t you realize yet that Egypt is lost?<\/span>“<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Darkness during the plague of locusts<\/b>. See V. 15. The description in the verse helps us picture the extent and power of the plague of locusts.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. On the wings of the wing<\/b>. The plague of locusts is picturesque both when it comes and when it goes. Note the direction of the wind: “an east wind” brings the locusts and “a sea wind” – a wind from the west – scatters them (in this context, look for the surprising wording in V. 19).<\/span><\/p>\n

4. “As dark as Egypt.” <\/b>This is where the popular Hebrew phrase comes from. But to read the description, it’s hard to believe that any of us has experienced such darkness…<\/span><\/p>\n

5. <\/span>Darkness and light<\/b>. The distinction between Israel and Egypt, a recurring theme in the plagues, now reaches new heights – absolute darkness vs. light.<\/span><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":86314,"id":86314,"title":"Points to ponder","filename":"Points-to-ponder.jpg","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/points-to-ponder-psalm-84\/points-to-ponder\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"points-to-ponder","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":86166,"date":"2021-01-09 20:56:58","modified":"2023-12-28 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