Exodus 10:21-29

Verses 21-23:
The Egyptians worshipped the sun, whom they called Ra, and who was referred to in the very title of Pharaoh.

From this, we see the following:
The darkness was one more illustration of God’s contempt for the false gods of Israel. He made powerless one more god of Egypt, declaring His own power and might over all of creation. He also demonstrated one of His character traits…that He is a jealous God, not condoning the worship of any created thing. And since only He is un-created, only He is worthy of worship.

Realize this: Despite any other concerns we may have, our chief obligation is to worship Him faithfully, it is to obey Him without hesitation, and it is to reflect His glory to the world, always being careful that we do not besmirch His Holy Name by our own misconduct. God should always be on our minds! Shame on us when we allow other things to interfere with our relationship with Him…shame on us when we choose the things of this world over the wonderful Word which He has provided for us!

What is the interpretation for this group if verses? What do they tell us, aside from the narration they provide? Read John 1:1-5 & John 8:10-12 & Psalm 27:1 & 1 John 1:5&6 God is the source of Light, He is the Light!

Light therefore represents God, and darkness represents separation from God, or the withdrawal of Light. This plague, then, was symbolic of the fact that Egypt was abandoned by God…separated from the source of all that is Good. And what comes when separation from God occurs? Death! Which is the next plague! Do you see how Scripture fits together so beautifully? We have pictures of God’s atonement throughout the Word, and we have pictures of His judgment as well. Think about what we have discussed regarding death following separation from God.

Read John 19:17-30

Realize the following:
Christ suffered separation from God the Father (Read Mark 15:33-34)! Do you know why He did this? For the Believer, then, this is why we submit to His Lordship…this is why we obey…and this is why we love to study His Word (or should), why we love to keep His words on our hearts, why we love to meet together and corporately worship Him…Because He is worthy! It was our depravity that nailed Him to the cross, and it is our sin that hurts God.

What are we going to do about this? If nothing else, we need to commit to His Word!

Let us now contrast the Israelites with the Egyptians. The latter are enveloped in darkness so thick that it can be felt. But note from the last part of verse 23 that Israel had Light!
Matthew-Henry makes the point that it would have been better to be the poorest Israelite than the richest Egyptian at this point. And the same is true today! It is better to be a poor Christian who is rich in the mercies of God than the richest un-Believer headed towards his Judge!
When we come together, we do not ask about our walk’s with God to annoy one another, it should not be an annoyance to talk about the things of God, it should be a joy!

Verses 24-26:
From Matthew-Henry we receive the following bits of wisdom:
The sinner will always try to bargain with God, but in doing so he mocks God. Who is he that he seeks terms from God? The way of salvation is plain. Acknowledge and submit. There is nor bargaining with the Lord of Creation, with the Sovereign Lord of the Universe! As Believers, all of our worldly possessions are to the glory of God, and as leaders of our households, all of our members should be in submission to God’s sovereign will.

Verses 27-29:
Note that at this point that Pharaoh’s heart is once again hardened. He threatens death unto Moses. The heart of the unredeemed is callous and foolish. Here Moses is the man whom God said would be god to Pharaoh, and Pharaoh threatens him with death! Man in his natural state has nothing but contempt for God, and this is manifested in how Pharaoh rejects the messenger of God, and in how man today rejects the message and the messengers of God!

Note verse 29:
Rest assured that Moses’ words were not haughty or triumphant, but more than likely sad.
Such should be our attitude when we confront unbelief and antagonism…sadness at the knowledge of the fate that awaits those who refuse to submit to the will of God and accept His Sovereign Lordship.