Thurs.’s Devo - Darkness

Read Ex. 10:16-11:1 Pharaoh is getting better at his repenting. This time he not only acknowledges his sin, but asks for forgiveness. Too bad it is only words to get relief and not a heart change. Moses did pray to God for Pharaoh and God blew the locusts away, but hardened Pharaoh’s heart again. Then the Lord told Moses to stretch forth his hand toward heaven and there would be darkness over the land of Egypt that could be felt. The meaning of the word “darkness” means literally darkness, but figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness. I think this darkness brought fear and evil. It lasted for three days. There was light where the children of Israel lived. In Egypt, all life stopped and no one left their houses. Pharaoh called for Moses and skipped over the repentance part and went straight to “go”. His only stipulation was that they had to leave their animals in Egypt, but they could take their children. This was pointless since the animals were the sacrifice. Moses tried to explain this to the Pharaoh but to no avail. Pharaoh got so mad he told Moses he didn’t want to see him again and if he did Moses would die. Moses told him he was right… he would never see his face again. Darkness was the 9th plague and the grand finale was coming up. God told Moses that after this next plague Pharaoh would throw him and all their belongings out of Egypt. God told Moses to set his people free and it has been a long process. God is never in a hurry and works through patient endurance. His plan is always for the good of his people. Lord, I thank you that we are your people, called by your name, that through us you might show yourself mighty in this earth. Help us to have patient endurance.