And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our GOD; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more. (Exo 10:21-29)
GOD brings darkness upon Egypt. Not only is He showing His power over their false god, ra, but demonstrating the darkness of sIn which they continually dwell. A darkness which can be felt, and yet the children of Israel in Goshen were not so, but had light, for they were separate and called out to GOD. But, even this darkness would not persuade Pharaoh who by this time was so unrepentant that only a final and complete Judgment upon Egypt would suffice. Up to this point, the judgments were temporary, and Pharaoh would relent once the plague was gone. He brought upon himself and Egypt a plague that there is no undoing, and it would be the last time he would see Moses, the spokesperson for GOD, for GOD was
There are always consequences to our actions, our tempting GOD, but pushing GOD to the limit will bring dire judgment. If we do not recognize the darkness of sIn, and repent, only death can follow. For the Christian, who has surrendered to GOD on His terms and been born again by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, that darkness has been lifted and we see the Light. We are called out and separated from this world into the light of His Kingdom.
We are called as His ambassadors, to represent His Kingdom to this lost and dying world. We are called to be separate, but also to minister to those around us that GOD puts in our path. We minister to the hurting and in need as GOD guides and provides. We minister to one another to disciple our fellow believers in the Word that we may grow thereby. As we go, we minister to all of the grace of GOD demonstrated in Jesus Christ. We tell all who will hear of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with GOD that He brings, that they may believe and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt, to come out of the darkness into His marvelous light. Just as He provided liberty to the Jewish people, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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