21 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.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 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. 24 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.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice them to the LORD our God. 26 “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.” 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. 28 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!” 29 Moses said, “You are right; I shall never see your face again!”
Pharaoh tries his hand at bargaining again, and tries to get Moses to leave without their livestock, which is rather foolish. The whole point was that they were to go offer sacrifices to God, and yet they were to leave the sacrifices behind? His heart was not sincere. He had no intention of letting them really go. He just wanted the darkness gone, and when he could not get them to compromise, he became angry. This is not an uncommon reaction when Christians refuse to compromise their beliefs. Don’t give in, hold steadfast, otherwise, what will you present to God?