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.’
Exodus 10:21
Have you ever been in a place that was so dark that you lost your sence of stability? A place so dark that you could not even make out the shadow of your hand? A darkness so thick that for a sudden moment it felt as though you were suspended in time and air, without a body and form? This darkness that can even be felt I have experienced both physically and emotionally.
Darkness that can be felt is a heavy thing. The weight of emotional darkness can quickly become unbearable. It can feel as though Satan himself as laid himself upon you, suffocating you with his presence. It’s a place where you can find yourself in the fetal position in the middle of a floor with your ears covered and your eyes closed and your heart gripped in a fear that you cannot even explain.
Darkness is a powerful thing and something about it stills even the most courageous heart. In 1 John 1:5 the Word declares, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” How thankful I am for the absolute truth of this verse.
Now, here in this ninth plague God is on the brink of reaching His climax with Pharoah.
This plague of darkness is an attack on the Egyptian god known as Ra. Ra was known as the sun god. He was believed to be the father of all Pharoahs. He was the most universally worshiped god in Egypt and was represented in both upper and lower Egypt. He was worshiped as the father of creation. In this ninth plague the True Creator is going to make Himself clearly known.
The true Creator, Eliohim, had been watching over Egypt from the beginning. It was He always who had taken care of the nation of Egypt, yet they gave their worship to false gods. “However at that time, when you did not know God, or rather to be known by God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.” (Galatians 4:8) The nation of Egypt, the people of Egypt, did not understand that they were sharers in demons, “they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:20). Their true Creator is trying to set them free. One plague at a time, He is destroying their faith in these false gods that hold them in chains.
God is Light and in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). When this thick darkness fell upon the land of Egypt, light still shone upon the land of Goshen. For three days the darkness was so thick upon the Egyptians that they could not see one another, and no one even rose from their place (Exodus 10:23). I believe that where ever they were when the darkness fell is where they stayed. Yet Israel had light.
The Egyptians would know that it was not their sun god, Ra, who provided light for them. It was not this demonic hawk headed figment of man who created the earth and caused the sun to shine. It was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was the God of Moses and his Hebrew brethren. It was the “I AM”
I don’t think that God had to send darkness upon the nation of Egypt, I believe God simply made them aware by opening their eyes to the darkness they were already in “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may recieve forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18) God desired to rescue them from this domain of darkness and transfer them into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). He wanted them to become children of Light (Ephesians 5:8).
Oh precious one, are you walking in the Light? “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
God is Light and in Him there is no darkness.
Dear friend, if you have found yourself in darkness, look to the Light.
Do not remian huddled in a ball of fear. Do not believe that you are without form. Do not remain in the domain of darkness. If you have discovered yourself to be blind, to be in a darkness so thick that you cannot see, then cry out to Christ for sight (John 10:39-41). There may be darkness in Egypt, but there is light in Goshen!
Oh Father,
There was light in the land of Goshen. Goshen in Hebrew means “drawing near.” Oh Father may I never forget that light is found in drawing near to You, for You are Light and in You there is no darkness. Thank You for rescuing me. Thank You for making me aware of the darkness that I was in so that I could see the light.
My Jesus, it’s in Your name I pray,
Amen