Exodus 10:21-29

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the Lord our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.” 27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

Each plague is increasing in intensity, and here we have the uncreating of the very first thing the Lord did when he created all things: separate light from darkness.

Note that Pharaoh still refuses to completely let the Israelites go:

“Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” [10:24]

The plagues have forced Pharaoh to acknowledge the Lord’s power, but he still refuses to truly acknowledge the Lord’s authority. He is trying to hold onto his own power because he thinks he can outfox the Lord by being half-way or three-quarters obedient. But that’s not how it works: it’s all or nothing.

Where are you holding back from complete obedience today?