In this chapter, we hear of the locusts and the darkness the befell Egypt.

At this point, Pharaoh’s servants are questioning Pharaoh’s handling of these events and wish that he would just allow the people to go. He does finally agree to only let the men go into the wilderness but not the women and children. That is when great swarms of locusts are sent to eat whatever crop was leftover previously from the hail’s destruction. Pharaoh quickly summons Moses and Aaron and admits to his sins in order to be relieved from the swarms of locusts.

Again, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and wouldn’t let the people go. This resulted in the second to last plague which was darkness over all Egypt except for where the children of Israel dwelt. This time Pharaoh agrees to let them go but denies it again when Moses insists on taking all of their livestock.

The plague of darkness may represent the spiritual state of Egypt. The darkness was so thick that even with fire and torches, they couldn’t see each other. They’ve been shown the mighty hand of God but yet haven’t truly repented for their sins. Egypt was in a dark place spiritually. God was trying to show them that he was the one who provided the light, not their shiny golden idols and decorations that merely reflected it.

In John 1:4-5, speaking about Jesus Christ it says “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.”