Exiting Egypt Chapter 10B P4

Exiting Egypt

“The Ninth Plague – A Felt Darkness”

Exodus 10:21-29

By Dennis Lee: Chapter 10B P4

And so this ninth plague, a plague of darkness, indicates that God is about ready to deconstruct, or even de-create Egypt. He brings Egypt in these three days into a pre-creational state of being, and if not for God’s mercy in having it last for only three days, what you would have in Egypt is emptiness, chaos, and darkness.

Now, it is also not without significance that God protected His people and in their country of Goshen there was light. This was proof, that while all around the land of Goshen it was black, no light, and a darkness so thick it could be felt, Goshen had sunshine and fair skies.

What this signifies is that the Lord casts in darkness all those who reject Him, and gives light to those who follow Him. This is what Jesus said for all who follow Him. Again let me quote what Jesus said,

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn. 8:12 NKJV)

After the three days were up, and light came back to the land, Pharaoh sent for Moses and began bargaining once again to keep the Jews in Egypt to keep what little is left of Egypt’s economic base. But it really wasn’t much haggling going on.

It’s kind of like going to one of those street vendors and haggling for a better price. You know, they quote a price, you counter, they come down, and you counter again. They say they can’t do it, and so as you walk away they then come up with a lower price just for you, because they like you. {Yeah right}

But here there is no such haggling. Moses gives Pharaoh the price and Pharaoh haggles to get the price down. Moses comes back with the same offer, no change. Pharaohs tries again, and Moses’ price is firm. But after this last plague, and Pharaoh’s last shot and trying to keep Israel in Egypt, and Moses refusal to bargain, or shall I say compromise, all negations stop. This is the end.

Moses boldly tells Pharaoh not only is he to let them go, but now he increases the price, Egypt must also give to them the sacrifices. So, what the livestock disease didn’t kill, and the hailstorm left alive, the Hebrews wanted to take from the Egyptians to offer them up as sacrifices to God.

If you haven’t caught what just happened, Moses takes the upper hand. This is not the language of barter; it is the language of monarchy. Moses is the mediator of the Lord, the King of all kings, and king of Pharaoh.

Moses’ remarks, not surprisingly, gets Pharaoh’s goat. Pharaoh is no longer interested in continuing the conversation. And so he angrily dismisses Moses with an unveiled threat. There is nothing subtle about what he says.

Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die (Ex. 10:28 NKJV)

Pharaoh was basically saying, “You show your face around me again, I’ll kill you where you stand.” And Moses responds quite ironically

You have spoken well. I will never see your face again (Ex. 10:29 NKJV)

It’s like Moses already knows. God hadn’t told him, but by Pharaoh’s past responses Moses knows then how God will react. It’s as if Pharaoh is self-prophesying.

It’s also a little ironic in a way. For three days Pharaoh couldn’t see anything. And so Moses is simply reiterating what the plague signified, that Pharaoh is under the judgment of God, a judgment of darkness leading to his ultimate and Egypt’s ultimate demise because they refused to see the truth of God, and He is the one and only God and that the Jews were His people and were to be set free.