Day Twelve - Plague of Darkness

We are days away now from the Simple Seder – the ordered time of remembering!

Some of the plagues may have been easier to visualize or reenact than others, however, as each one comes to mind your children will be able to remember the story and how God made Himself known. I bet they have already told some part of it to a friend.

Pass out the sunglasses, turn off the lights, close the blinds and then read (okay YOU may need a flashlight) the TRUE STORY of the Plague of Darkness from Exodus 10:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.’

So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days,
but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.”

Then Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be detained. Even your little ones may go with you."

But Moses said, "You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice them to the LORD our God. "Therefore, our livestock too shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we shall take some of them to serve the LORD our God. And until we arrive there, we ourselves do not know with what we shall serve the LORD."
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go.
Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die!"
Moses said, "You are right; I shall never see your face again!"

FALSE gOD – IDOL of the Egyptians: Sun and darkness were worshipped as gods
Horus – god of the sun / Re or Amun-Re: the sun god
They Egyptians rebelled against the light of God’s Word and were justly punished with darkness. Biblical Holidays

They had a thick darkness for THREE days

This plague was to contrast light against darkness

Light = salvation / Dark = hell

John 8:12 “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 9:4-5 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."

2 Corinthians 4:4 “...in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Teaching Points:
1. Encourage your children to experience a day in the dark. If you live in Atlanta, you might plan a field trip to the “Dialog in the Dark” at Atlantic Station. Apparently this is a place where you are led through a maze in total darkness by the blind. You learn the importance of listening to the directions of a voice.
2. The lost are in darkness while those who believe walk in the light.
3. One day God will separate the light from the dark: Rev. 18:21-23 “Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. "And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."

Song: This Little Light of Mine, Light of the world

The final plague will take place as part of the Seder Service.

Details of how to prepare for this special time will follow.