Page 122 - Bible History

THE DEPARTURE OF THE ISRAELITES FROM EGYPT 95
wilderness if the storm should cease. Moses went outside the city, stretched forth his hands, and the storm ceased. But Pharao was as unfaithful to his promise this time as he had been before.
Moses and Aaron threatened Pharao with a plague of locusts which would destroy whatever· crops were left. The servants of Pharao came and begged him to let the Israelites depart, so that no more harm should come to Egypt. Pharao yielded so far as to say that the men might leave, but he would not let the ·women and children go.
Another plague therefore followed. Great swarms of locusts lled every eld. They ate up every blade of grass. Pharao sent for Moses and Aaron. He promised to grant them their wish if they would re- move the plague. They prayed. A strong wind came and swept all the locusts into the Red Sea. But after the plague was gone, Pharao's heart was hardened agam.
Then came a new plague. Darkness covered the land. Pharao called for Moses and Aaron and told them to go with their men, women and children, but to leave their ocks in Egypt. Moses told the Pha o that they needed them as victims for the sacri ce. Pharao would not yield.
In obedience to God's command, the Israelites asked their Egyptian neighbors for gifts of gold and silver. These gifts were in reality but just pa ent for the hard labor the Israelite had performed these many years. The Egyptians had come to respect the Israel- ites because of the wonderful things which Moses had
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