Exodus 10:12

And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

Exodus 10:12 (KJV)

Context

The book of Exodus tells how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses. By this point, Egypt had already suffered plagues of blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, and hail. Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his heart and refused to let the people go. In this verse, the Lord commands Moses to stretch out his hand over the land for the eighth plague: locusts. This command comes after a series of escalating judgments, each designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

Meaning

The stretching out of Moses’ hand was the signal for the plague to begin. It was directed toward every part of the land, showing that the locusts would cover all of Egypt. The locusts were to eat every herb, even all that the hail had left. This detail stresses the completeness of the destruction. Nothing that survived the earlier judgment would escape this one. The plague was not partial or limited; it would touch every field and every crop. This thoroughness shows that God’s judgments are complete and that no resource or refuge in Egypt could escape His power.

Biblical connections

Locusts appear elsewhere in Scripture as instruments of divine judgment. In Joel 2:25, God speaks of the locusts as an army He sent, and He promises to restore what they destroyed. Here, the locusts act as God’s agents to humble Egypt and to challenge its gods of fertility and agriculture. The plague also shows Moses as God’s chosen mediator, acting on the divine command. God used natural forces as instruments of His will, demonstrating His sovereign control over creation. The locusts consuming what the hail spared emphasizes that no part of Egypt’s provision could survive God’s judgment.

Application

This verse teaches that God is sovereign over all creation. He can use insects and natural forces to accomplish His purposes. No ruler, army, or resource can stand against His word. The locusts consuming what the hail spared reminds us that no refuge or provision can protect us from God’s judgment when we resist Him. Pharaoh’s stubbornness brought increasing devastation. His resistance is a warning about the consequences of disobedience. When God speaks, the wise response is to listen and obey. Delaying or hardening our hearts only leads to greater loss.

The account also reveals God’s faithfulness to His people. Even while judging Egypt, He was protecting and preparing to deliver Israel. Believers can trust that God remains steadfast in trials and committed to His promises. God’s purposes will ultimately be accomplished despite human resistance.

Reflection

Consider how often we depend on earthly resources rather than on God. The Egyptians relied on their crops and land, yet these could not save them. Our true security is found in God alone, who provides for our needs and sustains us. This verse calls us to examine our own hearts and to submit to God’s authority before we face the consequences of resistance.