Two Plagues and the Providence of God- Exodus 10

Exodus chapter 10 provides us with two additional plagues in this completely one-sided war of God against the false gods and goddesses of Egypt. It reminds me of a statement made by Randy Alcorn in his marvelous book, If God is Good…, referring to the final battle at the end of times, says:

“Satan gathers people for battle and they march. But in the end, one side suffers not a single casualty, while the other side has not a single survivor. Fire consumes all the enemies of God. The whole conflict ends before it begins. It’s not a battle at all; it’s an execution.”—Randy Alcorn, ‘If God is Good...’ 52

What we find throughout the Ten Plagues against Egypt and her gods and goddesses is the same, one-sided victory of God. But this one-sided victory taking place throughout Scripture provides several demonstrations of God’s providence. That is, they are markers on the way to God’s ultimate victory.

They serve extremely practical purposes, cultivating growth in the believer. They also serve as terrifying reminders of the power of God, His mockery of Egypt and His control even over rebellion. This, in turn, is a comfort for the believer.

Like the child looking up to his parents who tell the child everything is under control, our gracious Heavenly Father calls our hearts to comfort in this chapter.

I. God’s Providence for Growth- 10:1-2

This chapter reminds us from the very start that God is in utter and complete control. Job chapters 38-41 all testify to the LORD’s providential power over all. One of the most comforting passages in the Bible is Psalm 115:3, an easy verse to commit to memory: Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

All of this is set forth in the first two verses of chapter 10. I want to spend a few moments this morning developing this thought that God’s providence provides growth for the believer.

The LORD clearly tells Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s and his servants’ hearts. God is the Lord of all, and as Paul reveals in Romans 9:16, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

God gives three reasons why He is hardening the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants: 1) that He may perform His signs on them; 2) that Israel would tell their children and grandchildren the LORD’s power over Egypt through His miraculous power; 3) that all may know Him.

It bolsters the growth of the believer to meditate on God’s providence. I read this helpful statement from John Piper a few weeks ago, but it bears repeating:

“God is vastly greater and stranger and more glorious and more dreadful and more loving than we realize. Immersing ourselves in the ocean of his providence is meant to help us know him, fear him, trust him, and love him as we ought.”—John Piper, Providence, 15

In this growth we see two practical ways of spurring it on (like putting fertilizer on the ground for plants): Our responsibility to teach the next generation. We all have the wonderful responsibility to train up the next generation. Our volunteers who work week after week teaching our children are an enormous blessing. But it is not all their responsibility. Parents, grandparents, members of this church, it is your responsibility.

The other practical way that we are to encourage growth, not only in the life of our children, but also in our own lives, is the wonderful Word of God. Notice what God tells Moses in verses 1-2: tell the people the Word of God. The events that are going down in Egypt will be continually recalled throughout the Bible. The point is, God has given us His Word for our growth. Read it, study it, pray through it, rejoice over it, memorize it, and live it out!

II. God’s Providence over Egypt- 10:7-29

God’s providence is for our growth, but this providence takes place in Egypt. God dismantles Egypt one god/goddess at a time. He “made a mockery” of them (10:2). Notice the two ways God does this in this chapter: boils and a hail storm.

Locusts 10:8-12

The locusts would cover the land so much that the land would not be visible. Everything that the hail had destroyed in 9:13-35 is not being devoured by the locust. Nothing like this has been seen in Egypt and nothing like this will be witnessed again. It will be a terrible plague. But the implication is not just the grossness of having locusts everywhere. It is that the food will be destroyed. This will be a famine, in other words. The land of Egypt, long worshipped by the Egyptians, is now devastated.

Pharaoh’s servants ask pharaoh, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God.” Let them go! The servants say. Again Pharaoh tries to get Moses and Israel to compromise. “Leave the little ones here!” Moses is no fool. Even though Pharaoh accuses him of mischief, Moses will not relent. God wants all of His people, and He will leave none in Egypt.

God then wields HIs justice on Egypt. The locusts come and devour everything. Pharaoh refuses to humble himself before the LORD.

Then more judgment comes: the darkness. No one could move in the darkness (10:23). Only in the land inhabited by Israelites could see. I wonder if they could see the Egyptians couched in terror in broad daylight? Either way, for three days Pharaoh and the Egyptians can do nothing. God is wielding another judgement on the gods/goddesses of Egypt.

For three days nothing happens in the land of Egypt. Egypt is decimated. If you have ever had a dog that rips a shirt to shreds, that is what Egypt looks like at this point. God is, as He tells Moses, making a mockery of Egypt. He is the Great I AM, and Egypt is nothing but a drop of water in the bucket under His providential power.

Listen to Isaiah’s depiction of God’s providence: Isaiah 40:12-17. What a comfort it was to Israel to know God ruled Egypt. What a comfort it is to us, that God rules over all.

III. God’s Providence over Rebellion- 10:20, 27

Our final point of consideration this morning is the scariest. That God rules and reigns is a comforting truth. What we see in 10:20 and 27 is what God had already promised in Gen. 15:14, Ex. 3:19, 4:21, and 9:16. God wields providence over the human. It is not up to the human to respond in faith and repentance. This is the very important lesson in Rom. 9:14-18. If the Lord is calling you to repentance, you better answer. It is God showing mercy to you. Do not follow Pharaoh’s example and fall under the providential, judging hand of almighty God. We end this morning with the terrifying words of Pharaoh in 10:28-29.