Passover Plagues--Day 9

On one of our vacations we went spelunking in Mammoth Caves. When we were finally in the inner most parts of the hallow the tour guide turned off all the lights. It was dark. Not middle-of-the-night dark. Not back-alley dark. It was pitch black. I could not even see my hand inches from my face. Quite honestly, I was a little nervous. Only a minute later the guide illuminated the room again. But that minute seemed quite longer. So can you just imagine what the Egyptians went through during this ninth plague?

The Plague of Darkness (Exodus 10: 21-29)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.” (v 21-22)

A darkness that can be felt? Wow, now that is dark. And we aren’t talking for a minute or two. Nope not even an hour. It was downright dark for three days.

“No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (v 23)

Can you imagine what that looked like? Complete and utter darkness on one side of town and daylight on the other. That’s amazing. That’s an amazing God.

But Pharaoh finally came to his senses (even though he was lacking one.) Remember yesterday he wouldn’t let the women and children leave with the men. Today he said, “Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.” (v24)

But still not good enough. You see, God wanted the men, the women, the children and all the animals. He wanted everything that was His. Nothing was to be left behind. Nothing.  (Similar to our current situation and how He wants everything, everyone, that is His. “That no one should perish.” But I will save that thought for another posting.)


“But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the LORD our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the LORD.” (v25-26)

Although Pharaoh may have been the man with the most power. he was not the man with the most wisdom. The rest of the Egyptians, even his own servants and magicians, at this point, after the other eight plagues, had figured out that God is God and can do whatever he wants. And will do whatever He wants.

“But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.” (v 27)
He even furthers my point about lacking wisdom in the irony of his next sentence: “Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! …
Now, that’s funny! Pharaoh has not been able to see anything--anything--for three days and he says, “Get out of my sight!”. I just love the contradiction here.  You laughed too.   Didn't you?

…Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.” “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.” (v 28-29)

Because Easter is so late this year coupled with Daylight Savings, this plague was harder to do than in the past. I closed all the blinds. Drew all the curtains. Turned off all the lights. Then I had the kids wear handkerchiefs over their eyes during dinner. It was nothing like what was experienced in Egypt or even what we experienced in the caves. However, the kids did have a new experience and this ninth plague is not one they will forget soon.