Thursday: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness
Daily Lesson for Thursday 24th of July 2025
Read Exodus 9:13-35; Exodus 10:1-29. How successful are these plagues in getting Pharaoh to change his mind?
Nut was the Egyptian goddess of the sky and heavens and was often depicted as controlling what happened under the sky and on the earth. Osiris was the god of crops and fertility. In the Bible, hail is often associated with God’s judgment (Isaiah 28:2,17; Ezekiel 13:11-13). During this plague, those who hide their property in a safe shelter will be protected (Exodus 9:20-21). Everyone is now tested: will they, or will they not, believe God’s Word and act accordingly?
God announces that His purpose in letting Pharaoh live is for the whole earth to know Him (Exodus 9:16). The king of Egypt now confesses that he has sinned, but later he changes his mind.
The Egyptian god of storm, war, and disorder was called Seth. Together with Isis, they were considered agriculture deities. Shu was a god of the atmosphere. Serapis personified divine majesty, fertility, healing, and afterlife. Not one of the Egyptian gods could stop God’s judgments (Exodus 10:4-20) because idols are nothing (Isaiah 44:9-10,12-17).
Pharaoh’s servants urged him to let Israel go, but he refused again. He offered a compromise, which Moses rightly rejected because women and children are a vital and inseparable part of worship and the faith community.
Finally, Ra was the principal Egyptian god, the sun god. Thoth was a moon god. Neither was able to give light. Pharaoh again tries to bargain, but in vain. A three-day period of darkness struck Egypt, but there was light where the Israelites lived. The separation could not be more spectacular.
Yet, no matter the battering that his nation took, Pharaoh was determined to fight back and not to relent. Though we don’t know his deeper motives, at some point it could have become purely a pride thing. No matter how powerful the evidence, no matter how obvious it was what was happening (even his own servants declared, “ ‘How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?’ ” [Exodus 10:7, NKJV]), and no matter that the correct choice was right there before him—after a bit of waffling, Pharaoh still refused to surrender to God’s will and let the people go.
What a dramatic example of the words “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV).

Did the Hebrew people learn any spiritual lessons from the ten plagues? Were these “punishments” meant to convey any positive lessons to the Israelites? When we see other people suffer the consequences of their own making, should we be simply passive spectators? God intended to teach both Egyptians and Israelites fundamental truths about His character, power, covenant, and redemptive power. More often we ignore or underestimate how God was very purposeful in communicating to the Hebrews through the plagues.
Let us explore both practical and spiritual lessons the Hebrews could have learned:
1. The plagues were a direct attack on the Egyptian gods. The plagues taught them (or at least should have taught them) that Yahweh alone is the true and living God, sovereign over nature, health, life, and death (Exod.12:12).
2. The plagues showed the Hebrew people that God keeps His promises and delivers His people in His own time. God kept His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exod. 6:7)
3. The plagues should have served as a lesson to the Hebrews that this was not just freedom from suffering but freedom to service (to serve God, Exod. 8:1).
4. The plagues showed the Hebrew people that God protects His people. While the Egyptians were devastated by the plagues, largely the Hebrews were protected (Exod. 11:7)
5. The Hebrew people learned that God requires obedience and not mere observation. The tenth plague required obedience and faith from the Hebrew people. They were meant to kill a lamb and apply blood to their doorposts (Exod. 12:13).
“Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” - Exodus 6:7 (NLT)
The plagues of hailstones, locusts, and darkness were indeed dramatic, but still demonstrated God's unmatched power and authority over creation, the aim was not just to punish Egypt, but to teach them who was the Lord. In the plague of hail, God extended a unique offer of mercy: He warned Pharaoh in advance and instructed him to bring people and animals under shelter. This act of divine grace showed that even in judgment, God desires obedience and repentance, and exercises mercy. Those Egyptians who heeded the warning were spared, indicating that the plagues were not just punishments but opportunities to recognize the LORD as sovereign. The storm of hail—unlike anything Egypt had ever seen, brought devastation to the land, yet God made clear that He was in control of nature itself, not Egypt’s gods.
The same teaching continues with the locusts and darkness. The locusts devoured what the hail had left behind, showing how rebellion leads to deeper ruin. Darkness, a direct affront to Egypt’s sun god Ra, plunged the land into a terrifying silence for three days. Yet in all these, God’s purpose was not Egypt’s destruction but revelation: “That you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth” (Ex. 9:14). These plagues formed a crescendo, each one targeting Egyptian pride and power, but also extending opportunities for submission. The lesson here is timeless—God uses hardship to draw people’s attention to Himself, not out of cruelty, but out of love and a desire that all might recognize His supremacy and turn to Him.
O' Lord help us to reach the faithfulness.
God is glorious and full of mercy, and even in His wrath, God's love to man is still evidenced. These words from Scripture clearly unveil a character that defines His justice and love. I quote: "Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." - Exodus 9:15-16
God never hated Pharaoh nor the Egyptians. As God is love, even in rebellion and wrath, God still explained to Pharaoh and his court that His actions were a result of Pharaoh's choices. Pharaoh had two choices: "Let God's Israel go" or "Refuse" - obey or rebel. To prevent the entire population of Egypt from suffering due to Pharaoh's choice, God deliberately provided exit points for those who wanted to choose shelter and protection.
God's salvation plan amidst the plagues was evident. He spared "the wheat and the spelt" while destroying "the barley and the flax." He attacked the fields but not the homes, sparing the livestock and servants who kept God's command. The people of Egypt and Pharaoh's servants also had an open choice to make. The servants reached a point of discernment, saying, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?" - Exodus 10:7.
This narrative speaks to each of us, even today. God offers love to all, without preference. God's love is an offer that we can choose to accept or reject. In this world, God is in charge and bears full responsibility in judgment. Aaron and Moses worked under instructions, not out of ill-will or hate.
Perhaps, as people of God today, we should reflect deeply on this. Aren't we guilty of meting out hate and judgment towards those who don't share our faith or accept our beliefs?
Even though pride can be negative, at that point, it seems that Pharaoh's pride led to all of God's wonders, not only for the Egyptians but perhaps even more importantly, for the Israelites, so they could recognize God's power. God is so wise that even our defects He can use to bless someone. God does not interfere with my free will, but hopefully, He can turn bad choices into blessings by His mercy! That's God's immeasurable grace!
The fact that the plagues in Egypt did not lead the Egyptians—especially Pharaoh—to reject their gods and accept the Hebrew God reveals several important spiritual and theological lessons:
1. Miracles and Judgments Alone Don’t Change the Heart: Dramatic displays of divine power—even judgment—do not automatically lead to repentance or faith. Although the Egyptians witnessed the devastating power of Israel’s God firsthand, most did not turn to Him. This highlights a deeper biblical truth: True conversion requires a willing heart, not just overwhelming evidence or fear.
2. A Hardened Heart Can Resist Even Clear Revelation: Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart, and eventually, God confirmed that hardness (Exodus 9:12). This teaches us that: a) persistent rebellion can lead to a seared conscience, making the heart resistant to truth—even when that truth is undeniable; and, b) people often cling to false beliefs and systems, not because they are true, but because they are familiar, comfortable, or rooted in pride and power.
3. Faith Is a Moral Choice, Not Merely an Intellectual One: The Egyptians had ample reason to acknowledge Yahweh as the true God. Yet faith is not just a matter of evidence—it involves humility, surrender, and repentance. Many were unwilling to abandon their worldview or relinquish control.
The Takeaway: The plagues demonstrate that miraculous signs, apart from a responsive heart, do not lead to true worship. People can witness the hand of God and still reject Him if they refuse to humble themselves. God's purpose was not merely to impress or overwhelm—but to save, judge, and sanctify.
Ultimately, this story challenges us not just to recognize God's power—but to respond with obedience, trust, and wholehearted worship.
God protected the Israelites from the plagues starting with the 4th plague. as recorded in the Bible.
Exodus 8:22.
"But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth."
The darkness of the 9th. was spectacular because the land of Goshen was day light and the rest of Egypt was utter darkness, the kind of darkness you find in a cave far from the entrance. The tenth plage the Israelites had to participate in their protection. By now they would be insane to disobey God. Rather they had learned some trust they had lost over the 4 hundred years. You see God gave them all the evidence to trust in Him before he brought them to the test. What a fair and loving God we serve, worship and honor with the utmost respect. Because He is our God and we are His children. I accept that, the privilege is a free gift.
God follows through when He says I will. I will spare your 1st born if you put the blood of a lamb on the door post. To be expanded next week by the author, I do believe.
Does anyone know if Egyptian history records the plagues? If so, where can references to these be found?
Having been away for a week, I did not see your question until this morning. There is little archaeological evidence recording the period of Hebrew slavery in Egypt, let alone the plagues. I should mention that there are several YouTube videos which claim evidence but lack credibility. The authors and producers in their production are often investigative journalists and while their video effects look convincing the actual substance of their finds is typically obscure and uses a "Join the Dots" approach to their reasoning. Comments by archaeologists are typically heavily curated. In short, I don't trust the YouTube presentations that I have viewed.
That does not mean there is no evidence. It is just that we need to be careful that we do not accept a presentation just because it supports what we want to believe.
Thanks Maurice.
Hi Melvin,
The website Answers in Genesis is one I generally trust as a forum in which Bible-believing scientists share research. I recommend a very interesting article, “Searching for Moses”, by archaeologist David Down, 2001. There is a lot in there, including evidence for mysterious mass graves for babies under the floors of many houses at Kahun buried two or three to a box and aged only a few months at death, sites also in Kahun where it appears people suddenly abandoned their tools and other possessions in the shops and houses because of the quantity, range and type of articles of everyday use which were left behind, and records showing an unexplained disappearance of a pharaoh’s son which could be Moses.
Here, I’ll quote this particular finding for a possible portion of evidence of plagues in Egypt…
Thank you Esther.
I found these sources online to corroborate what Esther shared:
The Ipuwer Papyrus—Were The 10 Biblical Plagues [Accessed July 28, 2025.]
NAZARENE NOTES:The Ipuwer Papyrusal [Accessed July 28, 2025]
Pride is the first deadly sin. It's what got this thing rolling in heaven with Lucifer. The sneaky thing about pride is that it's nearly imperceptible by the person infected with it. That is of course, until it's fully manifested. By then the fallout of it has affected many others. In Lucifer's case, the entire universe. In Pharoah's case, all of Egypt. It's like electricity, in that it can grab onto you and not let you go until you and others are destroyed by it.
Only one Person can deliver one caught in the vortex of pride, that's the one totally devoid of it, Jesus Christ.
We need to cry out to the Lord, giving him permission to examine us for it, and deliver us from it.
Psalm 139:23,24
In God’s Kingdom, the way up, is the way down. Philippians 2:1-11
I concur with the above. A wise woman once said,"The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought."
To believe a lie is to deny reality. Satan has been successful in making lies to be more attractive than the truth. He did this in the garden of Eden and he is doing it today. Redemption includes God helping us to see that truth is better than lies and reality is better than fantasy.
Here’s something interesting from the Enduring Word Bible commentary….
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I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked ~Ex. 9:27: This sounds like perfect words of repentance from Pharaoh, but true repentance had not worked its way into his heart. Pharaoh was grieved at the consequences of sin, but not at the sin itself.
Pharaoh’s ‘I have sinned’ (Exodus 9:27) is one of eight such confessions in Scripture, five insincere and three sincere.
· Pharaoh – a hardened sinner (Exodus 9:27).
· Balaam – a double-minded man (Numbers 22:34).
· Achan – a doubtful penitent (Joshua 7:20).
· Saul – an insincere man (1 Samuel 15:24).
· Judas – the repentance of despair (Matthew 27:4).
· Job – a godly repentance (Job 6:20).
· David – a repentance after a delay (2 Samuel 12:13).
· The Prodigal – the blessed confession of sin (Luke 15:18).
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What I notice about sincere repentance is that each time… for Job, for David, for the prodigal son… is that they missed their relationship with God most of all. They felt so sorrowful that they hadn’t trusted Him. They wanted that easy back-and-forth companionship back. Whereas the insincere repentance examples show us that those people were just sad about losing God’s blessings that had made their lives comfortable : Pharaoh, Balaam, Achan, Saul, Judas. We could put Cain in there too… who after killing his brother Abel seemed only troubled by the consequences of his sin, not by the fact that he had hurt God and others. They continued to want themselves to be in charge of their lives, not God. True repentance of self-seeking longs for a heart that says and means it, “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Hi Esther,
Yes we cuddle,nourish and pamper our ego/self! "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." James ch 4
Come and visit our Sabbath School in Freeport; we meet at 10 am every Sabbath.
Thank you for the invite! I’d love to join you for a Sabbath School discussion!
While studying today’s lesson over the phone, with my father, made this observation on Exodus 9:29.
“All right,” Moses replied. “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the Lord. Then the thunder and hail will stop, and you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord.” Exodus 9:29 NLT
So Moses walks back out of the city, but does not stop the hail storm until he is outside of the city. This means that he walked right through the middle of the storm totally unscathed.
I never noticed that, thanks for sharing! There have been several things brought out in the comments this week that I'd never picked up on. One I most remember is that the plagues followed a natural order. The water turning to blood killed all the water predators, allowing the frogs to multiply; the piles of dead frogs allowed flies to breed; and so on.
Something I noticed this week was that the plagues somewhat followed the order of creation; but instead of leading to life and to spending time with God, they led to death as a warning to repent of false worship. I love how it's possible to read the same passage many times, yet learn something new every time. Praise God for His living word that changes lives.
Thank you Esther.