2), whereas we read of these that "before them
there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such"
(x. 14). The objection is whimsical in its absurdity, when we remember
that Joel spoke distinctly of Zion and the holy mountain (ii. 1), and
Exodus of "the borders of Egypt" (x. 14).

But it is true that locusts are comparatively rare in Egypt; so that
while the meaning of the threat would be appreciated, familiarity would
not have steeled them against it. The ravages of the locust are terrible
indeed, and coming just in time to ruin the crops which had escaped the
hail, would complete the misery of the land.

One speaks of the sudden change of colour by the disappearance of
verdure where they alight as being like the rolling up of a carpet; and
here we read "they shall cover the eye of the earth,"--a phrase peculiar
to the Pentateuch (ver. 15; Num. xxii. 5, 11); "and they shall eat the
residue of that which has escaped, ... and they shall fill thy houses,
and the ... houses of all the Egyptians, which neither thy fathers nor
thy fathers' fathers have seen."

After uttering the appointed warning, Moses abruptly left, awaiting no
negociations, plainly regarding them as vain.

But now, for the first time, the servants of Pharaoh interfered,
declared the country to be ruined, and pressed him to surrender. And yet
it was now first that we read (ver. 1) that their hearts were hardened
as well as his. For that is a hard heart that does not remonstrate
against wrong, however plainly God reveals His displeasure, until new
troubles are at hand, and which even then has no regard for the wrongs
of Israel, but only for the woes of Egypt. It is a hard heart,
therefore, which intends to repent upon its deathbed; for its motives
are identical with these.

Pharaoh's behaviour is that of a spoiled child, who is indeed the tyrant
most familiar to us. He feels that he must yield, or else why should the
brothers be recalled? And yet, when it comes to the point, he tries to
play the master still, by dictating the terms for his own surrender; and
breaks off the negociation rather than do frankly what he must feel that
it is necessary to do. Moses laid his finger accurately upon the disease
when he reproached him for refusing to humble himself. And if his
behaviour seem unnatural, it is worth observation that Napoleon, the
greatest modern example of proud, intellectual, godless infatuation,
allowed himself to be crushed at