Thursday, January 30

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt." 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. 23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived. (Exodus 10:21-23)

Prior to the Exodus, God carried out 10 plagues against the Egyptians.  These plagues were far from random, but rather He intended them to bring glory to Himself and reveal to the Egyptians that He was indeed the Lord.

Indeed, the 10 plagues systematically point to the impotence of the Egyptian deities (and Pharaoh's magicians).  We received some foreshadowing of these developments when Aaron's staff (in the form of a snake) consumed the other staffs. In this ninth plague, God shows His supremacy over the sun god Re.

Just thinking of King Tut's famous golden mask highlights the importance of the sun to the Egyptians.  Given its geography and climate, the sun holds a crucial place in Egyptian thought.  The average high in Giza—site of the pyramids—is 96 F in July, compared to 85 F for Stamford.  In July, Cairo features sunny conditions for 87% of daylight hours, compared to 62% for Stamford.

Through these plagues and Moses's persistence, God demonstrates His supremacy over all powers—"divine" and human.  The Egyptians actually believed that the pharaoh mediated (like a priest in life) and crossed into deity at death.  The Encyclopedia Britannica tells us:  "The Egyptians believed their pharaoh to be the mediator between the gods and the world of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris, the father of Horus and god of the dead, and passed on his sacred powers and position to the new pharaoh, his son."

Therefore, we see the 10-fold repudiation of all powers and authorities of Egypt.  The Israelites could see God's compassion in seeking to remove them from the Egyptian oppression.  Yet, they soon would devolve into complaining and idolatry.

For today, we will do well to remember God's compassion and supremacy.  How has He showed His power on your life?  How do you keep that remembrance fresh in your mind?

Lord God, Your power is infinite.  You reign supreme over all creation.  There is nothing outside of Your control.  Help us to see Your goodness, faithfulness, and power in our lives and our world today.  Give us wisdom to live in light of Your supremacy.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.