The Light of Life

"Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick 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 children of Israel had light in their dwellings."

Exodus 10:21-23

God performed signs and wonders in Egypt to reveal Himself in power and glory.  Led by God, Moses demanded that Pharaoh let the Israelites go, who for 430 years lived in Egypt.  Towards the end of their time in Egypt the children of Israel suffered severe oppression and bondage as slaves.  Again and again the might of God was manifested through miraculous plagues.  The same pattern was repeated over and over:  Moses demanded Pharaoh let the people go, God would send another plague upon Pharaoh and the people of Egypt, Pharaoh would plead for respite, and once the plague was withdrawn then refuse to let the people go.  It took 10 grievous plagues and the death of all the firstborn of both man and cattle in Egypt for Pharaoh to let God's people go.

The ninth plague was oppressive darkness which could even be felt.  While the Egyptians experienced frogs, lice, flies, pestilence, boils, hail mingled with fire, locusts, and tangible darkness, the Israelites in Goshen were kept from these plagues.  David wrote in Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  While the Egyptians huddled in the dark for three whole days without sight, "...all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."  I have never heard of a child being afraid of the light, only of the dark.  As the Egyptians experienced this supernatural darkness, I'm sure the children were not the only ones who were terrified!  The feelings of impending doom, hopelessness, hate, and raw fear permeated the nation.  It was a little taste of how the Bible describes Hell, a place of outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Contrasted with this fearful darkness, how wonderful it is to have light!  God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light.  Light allows a man to see, work, read, write, study, prepare food, distinguish friend from foe, and safely walk without falling.  Before the days of mobiles, televisions, computers, battery-powered flashlights, and electric power, man was at the mercy of fire to illuminate.  Candles, lamps, and a cooking fire were the means of providing light for a dwelling.  After the Israelites left Egypt, the presence of God appeared before them by day as a pillar of cloud, and at night was a pillar of fire.  1 John 1:5 reads, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."  No matter how dark the world becomes, God will still provide light and guidance through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  He who follows Christ need not stumble.

A life without God is devoid of light and life.  The sun, moon, and stars are heavenly bodies which provide light for the earth.  A man may walk in the light of the sun and switch on lights powered by electricity, but may be in complete darkness spiritually.  He is like the Egyptians who cowered in the embrace of darkness.  Jesus says in John 8:12, "...I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  Jesus also spoke in John 12:46:  "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."  If I have received the light of life through faith in Jesus Christ, then I am called to walk in the light so God might use me to illuminate the way for others to receive of the Light of the World.  The light shines in the darkness like a beacon, leading to safe passage to eternal life.

Do you find yourself in darkness?  Find life and light through faith in Jesus!