Exodus 10:23
No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.
No one could see anyone else,

The ninth plague brought a supernatural darkness over Egypt, so dense that ordinary life ceased. Egypt’s revered sun god and its many associated deities stood powerless before the Lord. Darkness marked divine judgment, exposing Pharaoh’s rebellion and leaving his people isolated and helpless.

Psa 105:28 He sent darkness, and it became dark—…
Isa 59:10 Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall…
Deu 28:29 and at noon you will grope about like a blind man…

and for three days no one left his place.

For three full days, the Egyptians were confined by fear and darkness. Pharaoh had repeatedly refused God’s command to release Israel, and the plague revealed the consequences of resisting the Lord. The nation that had confined Israel in bondage now experienced its own helpless confinement.

Exo 12:22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin…
Isa 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors…
Psa 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,…

Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

God preserved His people in Goshen, making a visible distinction between Egypt and Israel. The light testified to His covenant faithfulness and anticipated the deliverance soon to come through the Passover and the exodus. It also points forward to Christ, the Light of the world, who delivers His people from the dominion of darkness.

Neh 9:12 You led them with a pillar of cloud by day……
Psa 78:14 He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire…
Isa 60:1-2 Arise, shine, for your light has come…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who refused to let the Israelites go, leading to the plagues.

2. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's commands to Pharaoh.

3. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved and where the plagues occurred.

4. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, living in Egypt, who were spared from the plague of darkness.

5. Plague of Darkness
The ninth plague sent by God upon Egypt, causing complete darkness for three days.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
The plague of darkness demonstrates God's absolute control over creation. He can bring light or darkness according to His will.

Protection of God's People
The Israelites had light in their dwellings, showing God's provision and protection for His people even in the midst of judgment.

Spiritual Light
Just as God provided physical light to the Israelites, He provides spiritual light to believers through Jesus Christ, guiding us through the darkness of the world.

Judgment and Mercy
The darkness was a form of judgment on Egypt, yet God showed mercy to the Israelites, illustrating the dual aspects of God's nature.

Obedience and Deliverance
The plagues, including the darkness, were a call to Pharaoh to obey God. Similarly, God calls us to obedience, promising deliverance from spiritual bondage.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the plague of darkness in Egypt demonstrate God's power and authority over creation?

2. In what ways does the light given to the Israelites during the plague of darkness symbolize God's provision for His people today?

3. How can we apply the concept of spiritual light in our daily lives, especially when facing challenging or "dark" situations?

4. What does the contrast between the Egyptians' darkness and the Israelites' light teach us about God's judgment and mercy?

5. How can the account of the plagues, including the darkness, encourage us to trust in God's deliverance and timing in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:3-4
The creation of light by God, contrasting the darkness in Egypt, highlighting God's control over light and darkness.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, symbolizing the spiritual light that God provides to His people.

Psalm 105:28
A recounting of the plagues, including the darkness, as a demonstration of God's power and judgment.

2 Corinthians 4:6
God’s light shining in our hearts, drawing a parallel to the light given to the Israelites amidst the darkness.
The Ninth Plague - the DarknessD. Young Exodus 10:20-29
Darkness a Cause of TerrorH. O. Mackey.Exodus 10:21-23
Home LightJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:21-23
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 10:21-23
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 10:21-23
Light and Darkness; Or, the Church and the WorldJ. Burns, D. D.Exodus 10:21-23
Light in DarknessExodus 10:21-23
Light in DarknessSword and Trowel.Exodus 10:21-23
Light in the Dwellings of the GoodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:21-23
The Plague of DarknessJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:21-23
The Plague of DarknessT. S. Millington.Exodus 10:21-23
The Plague of DarknessJ. Orr Exodus 10:21-29
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Red Sea
Topics
Able, Anyone, Didn't, Dwellings, Dwelt, Got, Israelites, Leave, None, Places, Rise, Risen, Rose, Sons, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 10:23

     4834   light, natural

Exodus 10:13-23

     1416   miracles, nature of

Exodus 10:21-23

     4284   sun

Library
Full Redemption
Now, it seems to me, that this grand quarrel of old is but a picture of God's continual contest with the powers of darkness. The mandate has gone forth to earth and hell: "Thus saith the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me." "No," saith Satan, "they shall not." And if he be compelled to yield one point, he still retains his hold upon another. If he must give way, it shall be inch by inch. Evil is hard in dying; it will not readily be overcome. But this is the demand of God, and to he last
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
On this occasion I want to speak of what happens to those who do return to God; because many have newly been brought, through mighty grace. Some of them I have seen; and I have rejoiced over them with exceeding great joy. They tell me that they did distinctly lay hold on eternal life last Sabbath day; and they are clear about what it means. They came out of darkness into his marvellous light; they knew it, and could not resist the impulse at once to tell those with whom they sat in the pews, that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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