Chapter 1
In this chapter, “darkness” is analyzed based on Exodus 10:21-23, where Egypt was submerged in three days and nights of complete darkness. Such blindness represents the obstacles in our vision and thus how we perceive God, ourselves and one another. The chapter stresses to let go of what keeps one in the dark. Remember there is light, freedom and oneness when one submits to God.
The Darkness Before the Dawn
According to the Bible, at the very beginning, there was a void. This void is not the absence of matter but a matter of disconnection from God which leads to confusion among people. Through scriptures, we see a separation from God that leads to people being blinded from what is holy. One example is found in Exodus where it is stated that Egypt endured three days of thick darkness. The Bible describes it as follows: "Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt- darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand towards the sky and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else nor move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived” (Exodus 10:21-23).
What is this darkness, and where did it come from? It was more than just a lack of sunlight, but an event that had a deeper significance. It was about letting go of the bonds that oppress us from God's presence, its about the most terrible, self-inflicted disease—blindness, an incapacity to see and accept the will of God. Yes, Egypt's hearts were hardened and they were all consumed in darkness: a reflection also within themselves.
Like the Egyptians, so too in our lives, there are times, we encounter moments of darkness. Like being confused with regards to direction, existence, including our connection with God. Our perspectives can create a smog. When we, like the Egyptians, close ourselves to God's warnings. When we presume control of our lives from a lack of understanding, we stumble in the dark. This is why it's so important to simply Obey whether you understand God's warnings or not.
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God provides warnings along with commands, but placing obedience over understanding. For example, God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but permitted them to eat from the Tree of Life and any other tree they wanted. The warning was clear: disobedience would lead to darkness, causing them to feel their way through life until death. This wasn't the life God created Adam and Eve to live nor mankind. By placing obedience above understanding, our understanding of the warnings is secondary to obeying the commands. Trust and obedience to God lead to a life of understanding the darkness and confusion of disobedience where there is lacking understanding.
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However, there is always light on the other side. As the scripture notes, while Egypt was engulf in such darkness, the dwellings of the Israelites remained aglow. Why? Because the light was with them. They had obeyed every instruction and were prepared for what God was about to do. God provided light in their houses and protect them. All that was required from them was obedience even if it was absent of understanding. ​It’s an interesting thought—two nations, living side by side, and yet having vastly different experiences. It's like being cast into a pit of absolute darkness wherein one is blind; while the other has God’s purposes unfolding in the light.
The Symbol of Darkness and Light
Wickedness is often depicted as operating in the dark and has a special purpose. To pull us away from freedom or oneness with God. It can bewilder and throw us off such that we lose sight. We then aggravate our condition in the same manner as the Egyptians. Following their ways, unwilling to let go of what restrains us. We find ourselves unable to transcend their viewpoint which is limited with unwillingness to place obedience over understanding. We don't have a proper view of each other just like how the Egyptians were unable to see each other in darkness. We tend to overlook each other. We even seem to be blind to the spirit of Christ in each one of us.
Darkness can be daunting and so are our lives. This is not how it is supposed to feel. But when the only thing we see is despair, God provides a way through. This is the feeling the Israelites were blessed with. Because they trusted God. Such feelings gave them purpose but also hope. This is how it is meant to be— when we relinquish control to God. Don't think that submission to God will close doors. What it in fact does is enable us to open doors, understand, and most importantly, connect.
We give what we have, because trust is the one thing we cannot live without, our heavenly Father loves us more than we can ever imagine. There is no other way. A light switch is flipped on when our hands are taken off the wheel.
Release and Trust
The tale of Egypt’s darkness and Israel’s light is no ordinary story, it is a truth that existed and resonates with us this day. The nature of mankind requires us to obey before we seek to understand. If the people of Israel had to be ready for their exodus, we also have to be ready in our mind and soul for whatever God wants to deliver us from. Hence, we surrender, so that God's glory may be ready within us. It’s not always easy. With just a little bit of faith, a small degree of patience there is indeed a way. The rewards go above and beyond. When control is absent in the equation and trust and obedience is established, God becomes tangible, true and with you. With this comes understanding of self, others, and the reality in our lives.
As the psalmist wrote, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). Looking at the phrase, it is evident that God’s word is a light and way for all of us. There are moments when life seems entirely hopeless, such that the way through is obscured by darkness, but it is at that moment, where the word of God lights the way. But let us consider several questions: why we want God's word to guide us in the first place? Do we really want to hold on to what keeps us from having the answers to these questions and more? Of course not.
The next chapter will have you looking deep inside and thinking of all the sources of light that are still absent from your lives. What about those thoughts, tensions or blockages? Do you want to sever the entirety of God’s love? The same way the Israelites found the light in darkness, so can we. Never give up your faith in the Lord, our God. Let go of whatever pulls you from freedom, and be amazed as a the light begins to set you free.