QT 2/27/2026 Exo 10:21–29, We need God's light, his word

Exodus 10:21–29 (ESV) —

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 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 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 26 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.” 27 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.”

 

NOTE: As mentioned yesterday, we have reached the point where it is not Pharaoh whose heart is hardened by his own evil desires, but God now is hardening his heart to judge Egypt for their treatment of the people and the killing of the young baby boys.

 

This particular plague would have been very difficult in ancient times. Today we suffer from light pollution. We don't know what true darkness is light, or the need for the moon and stars to help us see at night. But this darkness was absolute. It would have been incredibly frightful to have lived during this time. I suppose a person trapped in a cave with no light would understand this fear. Tremendous fear would have gripped the nation. A sense of doom and a light-deprived depression would have enveloped all people.

 

There is a saying that nothing good happens after midnight. It is a fearful thing to hear the phone ring at 2am. Imagine the night lasting three days, and being almost blind. As a metaphor, light is good. And Jesus is the light for all mankind. In scripture, Satan represents the darkness. We need to turn to the light and live in the light, because darkness leads to judgment.

 

PONDER:

1. God's word is a light to our feet -- do I regularly read God's word?

 

PRAYER: Father, it is critical for a Christian to spend daily time in the word of God, but so few actually do. Renew us and help us to see our great need for your word.