Darkness

O.T. #158  "Darkness"
Oct. 30, 2013
Exodus 10-Part 3
And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.  Exodus 10:22-13

LET IT GLOW

When I was a child, we were not surrounded by cities with such a population growth as now. Their street lights were not lighting up our sky. It was dark on my country road back then. The moon and stars were so noticeable in the sky that they were the light in the darkness. It was not so for the Egyptians during the ninth plague. All stayed dark for three days and nights. How bad would that be?No cooking food, no working, no normal life.

Plague #9 Darkness

The plagues seem to have occurred in a pattern of sets of three, with the third happening without a warning. So it was for the ninth plague, The Egyptians had no warning of three days of darkness, no light.

The Egyptians had four sun gods-Re, Aten, Atum, and Horus. Our Jehovah God showed His supernatural power over them.

How dark was it? Verse 23 of NIV says No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

Light is not a physical property; it is an aspect of God's character. In judgment, God can withdraw His presence so significantly that the void remaining is darkness which may even be felt. Seemingly, God did not even allow artificial light sources to work. the Egyptians would attempt to use candles and lamps but were unable to produce light.  (David Guzik)

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 NIV)

Is God the light of our life or do we let sin keep our heart dark?

LET IT GROW

Pharaoh sought to compromise with Moses, ultimately God, a fourth time. He was willing to let the Israelites go and serve the LORD, but they had to leave their flocks, herds, and other possessions behind in Egypt. Remember, the Egyptians lost their livestock in plague 5, so the king wanted those of the Israelites.
Moses refused to leave their animals behind because those were to be used in sacrifices and offerings unto God. (verse 25) God requires all we possess, without compromise.
Do we surrender all we have to Him? Do we use what we have for His glory? Do our possession possess us or do we possess our possessions? Can we easily let go of anything and everything if and when God requires it?

Then Pharaoh's words to Moses were final when he promised Moses death if he ever saw Moses' face again. In turn, Moses agreed that he would never appear before the king again. (verse 29)

Charles Swindoll says, "This account of divine judgment has not been recorded and preserved simply for the sake of history. Events such as these have been written for our instruction in godly living (1 Cor. 10:1-11). Two life-changing thoughts stand out:
When God judges, He does a thorough job.
When god blesses, He holds nothing back.

Friend, if you haven't placed your trust in Jesus as your Savior, I pray you will today. Simply ask Him to forgive you of your sins and believe in your heart that Jesus is the Messiah.
Christian friend, are you living a godly lifestyle? Or is your lifestyle ungodly, awaiting discipline from the Almighty? The light of His mercy is waiting for your repentance.

LET IT GO

Allow God's light to shine in my life.

Surrender my lifestyle to Him so it honors God.