Do you seek God only when consequences become overwhelming—or do you truly turn to Him?
Key Verse:
“So Pharaoh hurriedly called for Moses and Aaron, and he said, ‘I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.’” —Exodus 10:16 NASB
Background Context:
In Exodus 10:1–12, God makes His purpose clear and Pharaoh attempts to compromise rather than fully obey. When Pharaoh refuses to submit, God sends the locusts into Egypt.
Now in Exodus 10:12–20, the locusts bring widespread devastation, completing what the previous plagues had begun. Pharaoh again appears to repent—but his response reveals a familiar pattern.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt and eat every plant of the land, even all that the hail has left.” 13So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD directed an east wind on the land all that day and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled in all the territory of Egypt; they were very numerous. There had never been so many locusts, nor would there be so many again. 15For they covered the surface of the whole land, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every plant of the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Thus nothing green was left on tree or plant of the field through all the land of Egypt. 16Then Pharaoh hurriedly called for Moses and Aaron, and he said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. 17“Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication to the LORD your God, that He would only remove this death from me.” 18He went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the LORD. 19So the LORD shifted the wind to a very strong west wind which took up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea; not one locust was left in all the territory of Egypt. 20But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.
Reflection on Exodus 10:12–20:
As God had warned, the locusts come.
They cover the land completely—so much so that the ground is darkened. Every remaining plant, every tree, and every crop that survived the hail is consumed.
Nothing is left.
This is total devastation.
What had been partially destroyed is now completely gone. Egypt’s food supply, economic stability, and sense of security are wiped out.
This is the natural progression we have been seeing.
When warnings are ignored, consequences increase.
Pharaoh has had multiple opportunities to respond—to humble himself, to obey, to submit to God. Instead, he has resisted, delayed, and attempted compromise.
Now the consequences are overwhelming.
At this point, Pharaoh responds quickly.
He calls for Moses and Aaron and says:
“I have sinned… Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication… that He would only remove this death from me.”
These words sound strong.
Pharaoh acknowledges sin.
He asks for forgiveness.
He recognizes the severity of what is happening.
But something is missing.
He is focused on removing the consequence—not surrendering to God.
This is the same pattern we saw before, now intensified.
Pressure leads to confession.
Relief leads to hardening.
Moses intercedes, and God responds. A strong west wind drives the locusts into the sea, removing them completely.
The pressure is lifted.
And then, as before:
Pharaoh’s heart is hardened again.
This reveals a critical truth.
Consequences can produce a response—but not necessarily transformation.
It is possible to say the right words, to acknowledge sin, and to seek relief—without a true change of heart.
Pharaoh wanted the suffering to stop.
He did not want to submit to God.
We also see again the role of God in this process. Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart repeatedly, choosing resistance again and again. Now, as Scripture tells us, the LORD hardens his heart—confirming him in that path and allowing his chosen resistance to continue so that His power would be fully revealed.
God is not forcing Pharaoh into something new.
He is sustaining the direction Pharaoh has already chosen.
For us, this passage is deeply personal.
When we face consequences, how do we respond?
Do we truly turn to God?
Or do we simply want relief from the situation?
True repentance is not just about what we say in difficult moments.
It is about a lasting change of heart that continues even after the pressure is gone.
God is not looking for temporary responses.
He is calling for complete surrender.
Application:
- Examine whether your response to God is driven by consequences or true repentance.
- Do not wait for situations to become severe before turning to God.
- Recognize that saying the right words is not the same as a changed heart.
- Seek lasting transformation, not temporary relief.
- Respond to God with consistent obedience, even after the pressure is removed.
Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to respond to You with a sincere and transformed heart. Keep me from seeking only relief in difficult moments, and lead me to true repentance and obedience. Change me from within so that my life reflects Your will. Thank You for Your patience and mercy. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. John Golda
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