Day 1032: A deep darkness - Exodus 10 vs 19 - 29

19-20 The Lord turned the wind into a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go. 21-23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven, and there was pitch 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 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.” 25-27 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. 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.” Exodus 10:19-29 English Standard Version

The 'GotQuestions' website points out that this ninth plague, a darkness which was felt, was aimed at the sun god, Re, who was symbolized by Pharaoh himself. For three days, Egypt was smothered with an unearthly darkness; but the homes of the Israelites had light. Once again we see Pharaoh how tries to bargain with God by saying the livestock must stay in the land. He was now obviously aware that if all the men, women, children AND livestock went, as God was commanding, they wouldn't return. Egypt will have lost its slave labour force. Moses politely explained that they needed to take their livestock with them so that they would be ready for whatever the Lord required. There was to be no compromise!

The stand Moses took is one that Christians today will need to take as well. We live in days when those in positions of power are demanding that we compromise God's commands, and accept the customs of a people who don't know, and don't serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. How did Pharaoh respond to such a stand? (vs 28)

Seeing that there was to be no compromise, he breaks off any further communication. But in so doing, he also sealed the fate of the nation. (vs 29) The last chance of relief was gone! Oh what a fearful situation to be in. In the New Testament, the apostle wrote to Christians living in Rome, which was the supreme empire of his days, and said: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Why was God's wrath being revealed? Paul says: “Because although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God, nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:18-21)

Just as darkness fell on the Egyptians for refusing to acknowledge God, so it still falls on the hearts of people who refuse to honour their Creator. And it leads to an even more terrifying outcome. In the verses which follow what Paul said about darkened hearts, he then says, three times, that God 'gave them over' to their wickedness. He gave them over 'to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another'. He gave them over 'to shameful lusts'. He gave them over 'to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.'

I hope to say some more in a future post about the matter of God 'hardening Pharaoh's heart' which is said twice in today's reading. The Bible tells us there was speciffic reason for that. But Paul's warning of being 'given over' to whatever wrong things people may be pursuing, is something that should be feared by anyone who is not a Christian. The Bible warns that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 12:31) May God help all who know Christ to do what they can to warn those who refuse to honour God, or to give Him thanks, that it will be a terrible thing if God gives them over to their darkness.