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God sent Moses to Pharaoh again and said these signs should be remembered and told to children and grandchildren. Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh: “How long will you refuse? Let My people go to worship Me. If you refuse, locusts will come tomorrow and cover the land. They will eat what the hail left, grass, fruit, and trees, until nothing green remains.”

Pharaoh’s courtiers begged him, “Egypt is lost, let them go!” Pharaoh asked, “Who will go?” Moses answered, “All of us, sons and daughters, flocks and herds, because we must observe God’s festival.” Pharaoh refused and drove them out.

Then Moses held out his rod, and God sent an east wind all day and night. In the morning, locusts arrived in a thick mass, hiding the ground and darkening the land. They ate everything left. Pharaoh hurriedly called Moses: “I have sinned. Forgive me, and ask God to remove this.” Moses prayed, and God sent a strong west wind that swept every locust into the Sea of Reeds. But Pharaoh’s heart stayed stubborn, and he still would not let Israel go.

God told Moses to stretch his arm toward the sky. A darkness “that can be touched” covered Egypt for three days. People could not see one another or move about, but the Israelites had light in their homes.

Pharaoh summoned Moses and tried another bargain: “Go worship God, but leave your flocks and herds behind.” Moses said no, “not a hoof shall remain”, because they would need animals for worship and would only know what to offer once they arrived. Pharaoh shouted, “Be gone! Do not see my face again, or you will die.” Moses answered, “I shall not see your face again.”

God told Moses one more plague was coming. Moses announced that at midnight every firstborn in Egypt would die, from Pharaoh’s house to the lowest household, even among the cattle. There would be a great cry, but not even a dog would snarl at Israel, showing God makes a distinction. God also told the people to borrow silver and gold from their neighbors, and the Egyptians gave them willingly.

In Egypt, God gave Israel a new beginning of months. On the tenth day, each family took a year-old lamb (or goat) without blemish; small households shared with neighbors. On the fourteenth at twilight they slaughtered it, put its blood on the doorposts and lintel, and ate the roasted meat with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, dressed to leave, sandals on and staff in hand.

This was called Pesach, a Hebrew word meaning “passing over,” because God would see the blood and pass over Israelite houses when striking Egypt’s firstborn. At midnight the firstborn of Egypt died, and a loud cry rose. Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron at night: “Up, depart! Take your flocks and herds and go worship God.” The Egyptians urged them to leave quickly.

The Israelites left with dough not yet leavened, carrying kneading bowls wrapped in cloaks. They took silver, gold, and clothing, and traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, plus others and much livestock. God commanded them to consecrate every firstborn to Him and to remember this rescue year after year.