No Matter What It Costs

Apparently, God didn’t even announce the next plague, simply sending it unexpectedly, in Exodus 10:21-23.  “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.  And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”  For three days, it was as dark as being in a deep cave, with absolutely no light.   With no stars or moon or sun, they had no way of telling time, and the artificial lighting available was not good enough to enable them to accomplish most things effectively.  It was like they had gone blind for three days.  Almost nothing got done. 

Pharaoh knew exactly what had happened, as Exodus 10:24 tells us, but he was still afraid they wouldn’t come back.  “And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.”  To ensure their return, he demanded that they leave their children and belongings behind. 

Moses told him that would not be acceptable since they would need animals for the sacrifices and they were not sure what would be required since they had been in slavery four hundred years, as Exodus 10:25-26 tells us.  “And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.  Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.”

Even though the Egyptian economy had been destroyed and they had been unable to do anything for three days, Pharaoh was still determined to keep Israel as slaves.  Exodus 10:27-28 tells us, “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.  And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.”   He warned Moses that if he ever came back with another demand, he would be executed.  He was still so wrapped up in his own agenda, he never considered the fact that if Moses’ God could do those other things he probably could protect Moses. 

Moses told him that if that was the way he wanted it, that’s the way it would be.  God then told him what was going to happen next, in Exodus 10:29-11:8.   “And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more. 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.  Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.  And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.  And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.  But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.  And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.”

Moses warned Pharaoh that the oldest son in every family would die, as would the first born young of the animals those who had believed God and brought inside to protect them from the hail.   The Egyptian people would demand that Israel leave, even donating money to convince them to go.  Pharaoh would have no choice but to allow them to leave.   Moses was frustrated that Pharaoh was so stubborn. 

God warned Moses Pharaoh was not going to listen, so that everyone could see God’s power, in Exodus 11:9-10.  “And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.   And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.”  No amount of miracles or persuasion was going to change Pharaoh’s mind.  It is incomprehensible how stubborn and evil selfish people can be.   As an example we have American politicians saying we will just have to allow American women to be raped if that’s what it takes to make illegal immigrants feel at home, or telling a family that the murder of their daughter was of less importance than the freedom of the immigrants. 

Those who provide sanctuary and protect the murderers and rapists are in fact accomplices in their crimes, knowingly making it possible for them to commit the crime or enabling them to avoid punishment.