How does Exodus 10:22 demonstrate God's power over creation and nature? Setting the Scene • The ninth plague descends after a series of divine judgments. • Egypt worshipped Ra, the sun-god; light symbolized life and power in their worldview. • Into that setting comes an unexpected, thick, supernatural darkness. The Verse in Focus “ So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days.” (Exodus 10:22) God’s Sovereign Control Displayed • A simple gesture by Moses—no elaborate ritual—triggers an overwhelming cosmic event. • Light, the very first element God called into being (Genesis 1:3-4), is now withheld at His command. • The darkness lasts three full days, far beyond any natural eclipse, underscoring a deliberate act by the Creator. • Job 9:7 affirms the same authority: “He speaks to the sun, and it does not shine; He seals off the light of the stars.” Contrasting the Egyptian Gods • Ra was believed to journey across the sky daily, guaranteeing sunrise. • By blotting out the sun, the LORD publicly dismantles Egypt’s chief deity, showing that “all the gods of the nations are worthless idols” (Psalm 96:5). • Psalm 135:6-7 echoes the theme: “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in the heavens and on the earth.” A Reminder of Genesis Light • The plague reverses creation’s opening act—turning light back into darkness. • It highlights that the original separation of light from darkness (Genesis 1) is maintained only by God’s sustaining word (Colossians 1:17). Creation Obeys Its Maker • Nature is not an independent force; it responds instantly to God’s voice. • Psalm 148:8 lists “lightning, hail, snow, and cloud; powerful wind fulfilling His word.” Darkness belongs on that list as well. • Romans 1:20 teaches that such visible displays leave humanity without excuse concerning God’s eternal power and divine nature. Lessons for Today • God’s authority over creation is total; nothing in the natural world lies outside His command. • He can interrupt the normal order anytime to accomplish His redemptive purposes. • Human confidence in any power—scientific, political, or spiritual—must bow before the One who can suspend daylight itself. • The same Lord who brought literal darkness can flood hearts with “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). |
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