Scripture: 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.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 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. 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.” But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 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.” But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. 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.” Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”
Exodus 10:21-29 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, similar to the first seven plagues, Moses demands Pharaoh to let God’s people go to serve me. But this time, he first conveys God’s question: “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” Not waiting for a response, Moses prophesies that the locusts will consume their crops, infest their houses, and summarily depart with Aaron. Per his exasperated magicians’ plea, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron to negotiate the extent of God’s command. But Moses firmly reiterates that all God’s people will go. Succumbing to pride, Pharaoh swears by Yahweh’s name if he would ever let all the Israelites leave to worship their God. Thus, Yahweh tells Moses to stretch out his hand over Egypt to spur an east wind to blow all that day and night and usher in the locusts. Arriving the next day, locusts consume all the crops and swarm through all the Eqyptian homes. So, Pharaoh superficially confesses he has sinned and pleads Moses to pray to Yahweh to remove the locusts. As before, Moses obliges, the plague ends, and Pharaoh reneges.
Today’s reading continues the display of God’s power with the ninth plague. Like plagues three and six, for the ninth, the Lord commands Moses to extend his hand and invoke the curse without warning to Pharaoh. This time, utter darkness cloaks the land, symbolically eclipsing the Egyptian sun god, Re. The intensity of the blackness of these three days was such that it could be felt (v.21). So Pharaoh summons Moses and presumptuously grants all the Hebrews permission to go and serve their God, but without their flocks and herds (v.25). Hence, Moses argues for taking their livestock since they will not know what animals will be required to serve the Lord adequately (v.26). And as occurs throughout this showdown of might, the Lord demonstrates his sovereignty by hardening Pharaoh’s heart (v.27). Thus, Egypt’s arrogant and stubborn ruler hastily speaks threatening dismissing words to Moses (vv.28-29).
Takeaway: This meeting of national leaders has a sense of irony. With the stench of death lingering in the air from the herds and humans struck down by the hail storm, Pharaoh threatens to take Moses’ life. Little does he know that he will again call Moses into his presence one last time when he and his subjects are grieving over the loss of their oldest male child (tomorrow’s Daily Focus). As such, this plague presents a subtle juxtaposition of light and darkness, life and death. Where Pharaoh self-deceives that he sees what is going on (light), his sin-marred perception causes him to stumble into spiritual darkness. For he presumes he possesses the power to control the outcome, even that of taking Moses’ life. But he will soon learn that Yahweh is in control and will turn his face away from Pharaoh and take this impetuous king’s own life in the Red Sea.
Out takeaway? The ninth plague points us to the importance of walking in the light of Christ. Nothing good comes from the darkness, for it seeks to extinguish the light of Christ in the hearts and minds of humankind and wreak disorder, despair, and death in our world. In contrast, Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12), illuminates our journey through this sin-marred world with joy (John 15:11), peace (John 14:27), and abundant life (John 10:10) until we reach our eternal Mount Sanai, where we, like Israel, will worshipfully enjoy our Lord forever.
Our part? Walk in his light. How? Paul encourages the church to discern what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10). When we seek to please him over others, we bless him and inevitably supremely bless others. So, how do we learn what pleases the Lord? We must actively exercise the gifts of godly wisdom and humility to gain support, accountability, and encouragement from Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the community of believers. When we do, we sojourn in the light of Christ, overcoming the weight of sin (darkness) to stride the course before us (Hebrews 12:1).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, the Light of the world who has overcome the darkness. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who speaks to our minds and hearts through Scripture and the community of believers to support, encourage, and hold us accountable. Still, we sometimes succumb to what appears to be a less painful path that leads into darkness. So, please help us trust you and walk in your Son’s light, submitting to your Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work so we may worshipfully enjoy you forever. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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