Walking backwards into the future (Exod 10:1-29)

As we engage with plagues 8-9 (locusts and darkness), God explains to Moses that these events are happening so that Israel might tell it to their children and grandchildren (Exod 10:1-2). The Māori proverb Ka mua ka muri (walking backwards into the future) well illustrates the principle behind this: remembering the past is important to move forward. What is ahead is unknown but learning from what has gone before can guide us into a better future. As restrictions around Covid-19 will gradually ease and life’s rhythm accelerates again, we may consider the lessons of the lockdown. Maybe we can make more time for family, relaxed walks, tending the garden or reading books. Perhaps all the activity that normally keeps us rushing around is not as necessary as we have thought. The recent events caused us to reflect on the past in ways that we don’t normally do, such that it may affect how we live in the future. The past is prologue.

What are Israel and we to learn from the plagues then? According to v.2 God is cutting Egypt down to size so that Israel may know the Lord. Egypt was one of the superpowers in the region and to Israelites at the time it may have seemed like an insurmountable obstacle in the way of their release. God, however, is demonstrating to them His might and sovereignty. In comparison, Egypt is nothing, a mere joke to make fun of. The long description of the locust plague and its removal underlines God’s utter control over creation. The theme of darkness in both plagues (Exod 10:15; Exod 10:21-22) is particularly pertinent given that Pharaoh is supposed to be the son of the sun god, yet he sits in darkness, while the sons of the living God live in light (v.23).

This is an important lesson for Israel to remember because in the future, they will face danger in the Promised Land especially from their northern neighbours and will end up allying themselves with Egypt a number of times.[1] They will consistently overestimate Egypt’s ability to help them and underestimate God’s because they will have forgotten the lesson of the plagues. When we go through anxiety or need, it is difficult to trust the God we do not see and easier to seek out something more tangible. We, too, need to remember what God has done for us in the past: if He could overcome the power of sin and death and redeem us, how much more can He help us in our day-to-day challenges!

We also see in today’s reading that Pharaoh, too, walks blindly towards the future and does not learn from the past. The statement that God hardened his heart (v.1) is troubling, but we need to bear in mind that the expression means a strengthening of Pharaoh’s existing determination, not an overpowering of his will against his own inclination (see my detailed post on Pharaoh’s hardening here). Moreover, he is still given a choice to submit to God or refuse him (Exod 10:3), which makes no sense if he is made incapable of repenting. His state of mind, however, is clear from the way he bargains to avoid disaster and to keep some hold over Israel (Exod 10:7-11, 24-26) while being quick to retract his promises when he cannot get his way. Interestingly, we have seen a repeated pattern in the plagues. Pharaoh softens when God disciplines him and hardens when he is shown grace. Like metal heated to high temperature becomes soft, so calamity leads Pharaoh to respond with an admission of his sin, only to become hard again when the heat is off. It is similar to how some behave in lockdown. The difficulties they experience may make them receptive to a different way of living and to what really matters, but many will eventually return to the hustle and bustle and forget those moments of openness.

As we face challenges may we not forget God’s power and love that we experienced in the past and when He stirs our heart to move in a different direction may we not ignore His promptings but respond with obedience.  

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For interest – summary table for plagues and signs

[1] E.g., 2 Kings 17:4; 25:26; Isa 30:1-2; Ezek 29:6-7.