Ninth Plague: Darkness / Ninth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Ninth Plague: Darkness / Ninth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 10: ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, ^[b]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.

 

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GOD was at Warning, Action and Response (WAR) with Pharaoh. But this time HE gave no warning. In fact, GOD had given HIS final warning and would only perform actions, or HIS plagues. This time HE made darkness that could be felt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD caused physical darkness that felt like something was touching everyone.
• The Egyptians experienced physical darkness for three days.
• The children of Israel experienced light in their homes.

 

A mindset was being dealt with, namely the worship of the sun god Ra as a very high deity. The Egyptians were sun worshipers and placed high values in star worship to drive their decision making. For three days, the Egyptians could do nothing.

 

Meanwhile, the children of Israel experienced light in their homes. GOD’s light shows truth, shows the way and exposes dangers easily. The absences of light creates confusion, fear and depression. Three days sounds familiar. JESUS was in the grave for three days. GOD was dismantling the mindset of limiting beliefs.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the plague of darkness?
• Have you self-examined whether you are operating under limiting beliefs?
• Knowing that GOD has no limits, will you ask HIM to remove any limiting beliefs you may have?

Trusted Empowered Gifted

Trusted Empowered Gifted

Genesis 41: ⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” ⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

 

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Immediately, Pharaoh trusted Joseph because of the interpretation of the dream. Pharaoh had a formal way to create rules which required documentation with his signet ring stamp. He gave control to Joseph by giving him the signet ring. He paraded Joseph around Egypt so people would know who he was and he gave Joseph a wife.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh trusted Joseph implicitly because Joseph did not try to get anything from Pharaoh.
• Pharaoh worshipped the sun god Ra, so he thought he was doing Joseph a favor by giving him the daughter of the priest of On.
• Pharaoh welcomed Joseph into the Egyptian culture and tried to rename him Zaphnath-Paaneah, which could mean GOD speaks and HE lives.

 

Joseph was trusted by Pharaoh, empowered by him and given gifts by him. He could do as he please without consulting Pharaoh. But Joseph did not turn his heart away from GOD. He accepted the gifts, wore the clothes and did what he was supposed to do with the power he was entrusted.

 

But Joseph also knew that Pharoah was not worshipping the one and true GOD. Pharaoh believed in many gods and classified GOD as one of them. Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife of the smartest, wisest person he knew. Even Poti-Pherah could not interpret Pharaoh’s dream. So Joseph was allowed to go out all over Egypt without being watched over. Joseph’s integrity was in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what Pharaoh gave to Joseph?
• What is your perspective about receiving something that looks worldly, but is a gift?
• Can you accept the world’s things without having them change your relationship with the LORD?