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Exodus 10:21–27
“Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived” (vv. 22–23).
We noted in our look at the plague of locusts that the use of a hot east wind and even the presence of locusts themselves demonstrated that the plague was a judgment on Egypt (Ex. 10:1–20). After all, locusts and the east wind often appear in Scripture when God is executing judgment on His people or on others (Hos. 13:15–16; Joel 1). In the ninth plague, the plague of darkness, we find yet more evidence that the Lord used the plagues to judge Egypt.
We find evidence of this, for example, in Exodus 10:22, which speaks of the absence of light that fell upon Egypt as “pitch darkness.” This is the same phrase used in Isaiah 8:22, where it is translated as “thick darkness” and describes divine judgment on Israel. Indeed, the day of the Lord’s judgment is described as “a day of darkness and gloom” (Joel 2:1–2), thus reinforcing the nature of the ninth plague—and really all ten plagues—as the judgment of God on the Egyptians.
From Moses’ description of the darkness in Exodus 10:22–23, we learn that the absence of light cannot be explained by anything other than a miraculous act of God. Some have posited that a dust storm or solar eclipse caused the darkness, but the darkness lasted three days, much longer than darkness caused by such natural phenomena lasts (v. 22). Furthermore, the darkness consists not of a mere dimming of the sky such as we experience at dusk but a blackness so thick that no one in Egypt dares move (v. 23). Society has come to an absolute standstill, and the judgment of God here is horrible indeed. John Calvin comments, “There is no blessing which is more common to all men, from the very highest even to the lowest, than light, which is enjoyed not less by the humblest and most contemptible people than by the greatest kings. It was, then, a terrible judgment of God, that the whole world should be enlightened by the sun’s rays, whilst the Egyptians, although possessing sight, were plunged in darkness.”
Once more, Pharaoh says that he will relent and this time will let all the people go, though the Israelites must leave their livestock behind. Moses rightly refuses this compromise, for it will leave the Israelites unable to sacrifice to the Lord as God has commanded (Ex. 10:24–26). Pharaoh continues trying to negotiate with the Lord, proving that he has not yet bowed the knee to God. Having been rebuffed by Moses, Pharaoh again hardens his heart (v. 27).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
One commentator notes that Pharaoh’s call for the animals to be left behind is really an attempt to control Israel’s worship and direct how it should be performed. He was willing to let the Israelites worship, but not in the way that the Lord had commanded. It is not the job of others, even governmental authorities, to direct the church’s worship. The church sets the parameters in obedience to the Word of God.
For Further Study
- Psalm 105:26–28
- Isaiah 5:8–30
- Matthew 27:45–50
- Revelation 16:10–11