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The Plague of Darkness – The Light of Christ in the Midst of Egypt’s Darkness (Ex. 10:21-29)

Then the Lord said to Moses: Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that over the land of Egypt there may be such darkness that one can feel it. 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was dense darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. 23 People could not see one another, nor could they get up from where they were, for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they lived. 24 Pharaoh then summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, serve the Lord. Only your flocks and herds will be detained. Even your little ones may go with you.” 25 But Moses replied, “You also must give us sacrifices and burnt offerings to make to the Lord, our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us. Not an animal must be left behind, for some of them we will select for service to the Lord, our God; but we will not know with which ones we are to serve the Lord until we arrive there.” 27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, “Leave me, and see to it that you do not see my face again! For the day you do see my face you will die!” 29 Moses replied, “You are right! I will never see your face again.”

The Lord instructed Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky and a thick darkness came over Egypt for three days.  This darkness is described as so intense that it could be "felt."  The Egyptians are paralyzed, unable to see one another or leave their homes, but the Israelites in Goshen remain unaffected and have light.  Pharaoh, in desperation, summons Moses and agrees to let the Israelites go but insists they leave behind their flocks and herds.  Moses refuses, asserting that they will need these animals to worship the Lord.  The exchange ended with an enraged Pharaoh threatening Moses with death if he appeared before him again.  Moses agrees, stating, "I will never see your face again."

The ninth plague challenged Egypt's sun god Ra, one of their most venerated deities.  Once again, God demonstrated His sovereignty over creation, His supremacy over the gods of Egypt, and His dominion over the forces of nature by imposing a supernatural darkness on the Egyptians.  The thick darkness parallels the primordial chaos before creation, where darkness covered the abyss (Gen. 1:2).  This act demonstrates that God, the Creator, can undo what He has created, showing His absolute control over life, light, and order.  God also protected the Israelites in Goshen, emphasizing His covenantal relationship with His chosen people (Ex. 9:26).  This foreshadows God’s ultimate protection of His people in Christ, who is the Light of the World (John 8:12). 

This plague connects typologically to the crucifixion of Christ.  At the moment of Jesus' death, darkness covered the whole land (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).  This darkness symbolized the judgment of sin and the cosmic disruption caused by humanity's rebellion against God.  Yet, in Christ's resurrection, the light of salvation is restored, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone."  Moses’ obedience to God’s commands foreshadows Christ’s unwavering resolve in His mission and His obedience to the Father (Phil. 2:8).  While Pharaoh's hardness of heart led to death and destruction, Christ’s humility and obedience bring life and salvation to all who believe in Him.

Almighty God, You are the true Light that dispels all darkness.  You humbled the false gods of Egypt and brought deliverance to Your people. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty and to walk in the light of Christ, who overcomes the darkness of sin and death.  This we pray through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen!
                                                       
Sources
  • McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
  • Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
  • Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
  • Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
  • Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
  • Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
  • Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.

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