“And he said unto them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.”
Context:Exodus 10:10 is part of the account of the plagues that afflicted Egypt as a result of Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites go. At this point in the story, Moses and Aaron have been repeatedly requesting Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their slavery, but Pharaoh continues to harden his heart.
The Speaker:In this verse, the speaker is Pharaoh. He is addressing Moses and Aaron, responding sarcastically and ominously to their request to take the Israelites, including their children, to worship.
Let the Lord be with you:Moses acknowledges that the power and presence of the Lord is necessary for the release of the Israelites. By saying, “Let the Lord be so with you,” he implies that the Lord’s favour and protection should be upon them if they were to let the Israelites go.
Letting them go:Pharaoh refuses to allow the children to go, accusing Moses and Aaron of evil intentions. He is being sarcastic and then ultimately denies the request. This implies that Moses is extending mercy and compassion, desiring the liberation of the entire Israelite community.
Look to it; for evil is before you:Moses issues a warning to Pharaoh and his officials. He urges them to take heed and carefully consider the consequences of their actions. The phrase “evil is before you” suggests that if they do not obey, they will face severe consequences, likely referring to the next plague that is about to be unleashed upon Egypt.
