Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 10:21-29

"And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy 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 one from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve Jehovah; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt-offerings, that we may sacrifice unto Jehovah our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind: for thereof must we take to serve Jehovah our God; and we know not with what we must serve Jehovah, until we come thither. But Jehovah 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 the day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well. I will see thy face again no more." — Exodus 10:21-29 (ASV)

The plague of darkness brought upon Egypt was a dreadful plague. It was a darkness that could be felt, so thick were the fogs. It astonished and terrified. It continued for three days—six nights in one—so long that the brightest palaces became dungeons. Pharaoh now had time to consider, if he had chosen to use it wisely. Spiritual darkness is spiritual bondage; while Satan blinds people's eyes so that they do not see, he binds their hands and feet, so that they do not work for God, nor move toward heaven.

They sit in darkness. It was righteous of God to punish them in this way. The blindness of their minds brought this darkness of the air upon them; never was a mind so blinded as Pharaoh's, and never was the air so darkened as in Egypt. Let us dread the consequences of sin; if three days of darkness were so dreadful, what will everlasting darkness be? The children of Israel, at the same time, had light in their dwellings.

We must not think that we share in common mercies as a matter of course, and therefore that we owe no thanks to God for them. It shows the particular favor He has for His people. Wherever there is an Israelite indeed, though in this dark world, there is light; there is a child of light. When God made this distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, who would not have preferred the poor cottage of an Israelite to the fine palace of an Egyptian?

There is a real difference between the house of the wicked, which is under a curse, and the habitation of the just, which is blessed. Pharaoh renewed the treaty with Moses and Aaron, and agreed that they could take their little ones, but wanted their cattle left behind. It is common for sinners to bargain with God Almighty; in this way they try to mock Him, but they deceive themselves. The terms of reconciliation with God are so fixed that, however long people dispute them, they cannot possibly alter them or reduce them.

We must come to the demands of God's will; we cannot expect Him to condescend to the terms our lusts would set. With ourselves and our children, we must devote all our worldly possessions to the service of God; we do not know what use He will make of any part of what we have. Pharaoh broke off the conference abruptly and resolved to negotiate no more. Had he forgotten how often he had sent for Moses to relieve him of his plagues? And was Moses now to be told to come no more?

Vain malice! To threaten with death one who was armed with such power! What will hardness of heart, and contempt of God's word and commandments, not bring people to! After this, Moses came no more until he was sent for. When people drive God's word away from them, He justly gives them up to their own delusions.