Exo 10:21-23 | KingComments | STEP | Like the third and the sixth plague, the ninth plague, the darkness, comes without announcement. Like other plagues, this plague is also a revelation of God’s power against the idols of Egypt. Here the principal god, the sun (Ra), the source of light, warmth and life, is completely overpowered by God’s power and shrouded in darkness. The darkness is that great that it is impossible to see anyone else; it is not even possible to move. In complete darkness, there is no orientation at all. This plague also occurs in the final judgments on the world ( ). It is the plague that strikes the wicked ( ) and to which, if he dies in his wickedness, there will be no end. He will be endlessly “in the outer darkness” ( ; ; ). In this plague we have an illustration of man without God, for he is darkened in the understanding ( ). Also his “foolish heart was darkened” ( ). A man without God goes his way by groping. He doesn’t know where he comes from or where he is going. However God can still shine in his heart “to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” ( ). When the church is raptured, man will be completely delivered to satan and his demons, the powers of darkness. In one place there is light today and that is with the people of God. That was also the case in Egypt: “But all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings” ( ). Spiritually, Christ was that light as the Passover Lamb. During the three days of darkness the Israelites had a lamb in their houses ( ). This reminds us of Revelation 21, where it is said of the new Jerusalem: “Its lamp [is] the Lamb” ( ). How good it is when Christ, the true Passover ( ), is central in the homes of God’s children. The Lord Jesus is “the Light of the world” ( ). Thus He came into the world. Whereas normally darkness disappears when light comes, the arrival of the Light of the world has proven how great the darkness is, for light has been rejected! However the individual who believes in Him will not remain in darkness ( ). Children of God are also children of light and are therefore called to walk “as children of Light” ( ).

‏ Exodus 10:21-23

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

Like the third and the sixth plague, the ninth plague, the darkness, comes without announcement. Like other plagues, this plague is also a revelation of God’s power against the idols of Egypt. Here the principal god, the sun (Ra), the source of light, warmth and life, is completely overpowered by God’s power and shrouded in darkness. The darkness is that great that it is impossible to see anyone else; it is not even possible to move. In complete darkness, there is no orientation at all.

This plague also occurs in the final judgments on the world (Rev 16:10). It is the plague that strikes the wicked (Job 18:5-6) and to which, if he dies in his wickedness, there will be no end. He will be endlessly “in the outer darkness” (Mt 8:12; 2Pet 2:17; Rev 20:10).

In this plague we have an illustration of man without God, for he is darkened in the understanding (Eph 4:18). Also his “foolish heart was darkened” (Rom 1:21). A man without God goes his way by groping. He doesn’t know where he comes from or where he is going. However God can still shine in his heart “to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2Cor 4:6). When the church is raptured, man will be completely delivered to satan and his demons, the powers of darkness.

In one place there is light today and that is with the people of God. That was also the case in Egypt: “But all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings” (Exo 10:23b). Spiritually, Christ was that light as the Passover Lamb. During the three days of darkness the Israelites had a lamb in their houses (Exo 12:3). This reminds us of Revelation 21, where it is said of the new Jerusalem: “Its lamp [is] the Lamb” (Rev 21:23). How good it is when Christ, the true Passover (1Cor 5:7b), is central in the homes of God’s children.

The Lord Jesus is “the Light of the world” (Jn 8:12a). Thus He came into the world. Whereas normally darkness disappears when light comes, the arrival of the Light of the world has proven how great the darkness is, for light has been rejected! However the individual who believes in Him will not remain in darkness (Jn 12:46). Children of God are also children of light and are therefore called to walk “as children of Light” (Eph 5:8).