Exodus 10:3

How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself - Had it been impossible for Pharaoh, in all the preceding plagues, to have humbled himself and repented can we suppose that God could have addressed him in such language as the preceding? We may rest assured that there was always a time in which he might have relented, and that it was because he hardened his heart at such times that God is said to harden him, i.e., to give him up to his own stubborn and obstinate heart; in consequence of which he refused to let the people go, so that God had a fresh opportunity to work another miracle, for the very gracious purposes mentioned in Exo 10:2. Had Pharaoh relented before, the same gracious ends would have been accomplished by other means.

PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS. (Exo. 10:1-20) show these my signs, &c.--Sinners even of the worst description are to be admonished even though there may be little hope of amendment, and hence those striking miracles that carried so clear and conclusive demonstration of the being and character of the true God were performed in lengthened series before Pharaoh to leave him without excuse when judgment should be finally executed.

And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh,.... As the Lord commanded them, for what is before said to Moses was designed for Aaron also, his prophet and spokesman: and said unto him, thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews; as the ambassadors of the God of Israel, and in his name said: how long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? to acknowledge his offence, lie low before God, and be subject to his will; he had humbled himself for a moment, but then this did not continue; what God expected of him, and complains of the want of, was such a continued humiliation before him, and such a subjection to him, as would issue in complying with what he had so often demanded of him, and is as follows: let my people go, that they may serve me; see Exo 9:1.

As Pharaoh had acknowledged, when the previous plague was sent, that Jehovah was righteous (Exo 9:27), his crime was placed still more strongly before him: "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before Me?" (לענת for להענת, as in Exo 34:24).

The eighth and ninth of the plagues of Egypt, that of locusts and that of darkness, are recorded in this chapter. I. Concerning the plague of locusts, 1. God instructs Moses in the meaning of these amazing dispensations of his providence (Exo 10:1, Exo 10:2). 2. He threatens the locusts (Exo 10:3-6). 3. Pharaoh, at the persuasion of his servants, is willing to treat again with Moses (Exo 10:7-9), but they cannot agree (Exo 10:10, Exo 10:11). 4. The locusts come (Exo 10:12-15). 5. Pharaoh cries Peccavi - I have offended (Exo 10:16, Exo 10:17), whereupon Moses prays for the removal of the plague, and it is done; but Pharaoh's heart is still hardened (Exo 10:18-20). II. Concerning the plague of darkness, 1. It is inflicted (Exo 10:21-23). 2. Pharaoh again treats with Moses about a surrender, but the treaty breaks off in a heat (Exo 10:26, etc.).