LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Monday 26th September 2022
DARKNESS AND LIGHT
Scripture Reading: Exodus 10
So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick 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 children of Israel had light in their dwellings. Exodus 10:22–23
This is the ninth plague that God brought on the land of Egypt and its people. The plagues had progressed in severity until this time. As they escalated, so did Pharaoh’s stubbornness against God.
Like most Egyptians, Pharaoh was a sun worshiper. More than that, he was regarded as the Son of Re, the personal embodiment of the solar deity. By overruling the sun, the God of Israel demonstrated His total superiority over the spiritual world of the Egyptians.
• Darkness in Egypt. A thick darkness fell upon Egypt, a darkness that lasted three days. Imagine living in pitch black darkness for three days. Scripture says that the people were literally imprisoned by the chain of darkness. The darkness was so thick that the people could not see one another. They were even afraid to arise and move about.
• Light in Israel. On the other end of town, the Israelites had light. God showed that what was happening was His doing and not a sheer coincidence.
The Lord used this plague to tell Israel how He would want them to live. He wanted them to live in the light. While the world around them wallowed in gross darkness, God’s people had to walk in the light.
That message is still clear to us today. Those who live for God must not live in the darkness of the world, but in the light of God. As He did in the opening words of the Bible, God separates light from darkness. He calls us to be children of light who shine amid a crooked and perverse world.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are my light. Though the world lies in darkness, surround me in your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.