We are in chapter ten of Exodus with our word for today. חֹ֫שֶׁךְ darkness, darkening, obscurity, to be surrounded by darkness. It is used 80 times in the Old Testament, three times in our chapter. Our word is used in a literal sense throughout the Bible. Right at the beginning of creation before anything was illuminated we find our word. Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Another good example is mining inside the earth where there is no light. Job 28:2-3 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Mortals put an end to the לַחֹ֗שֶׁךְ darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. We also find our word used in a figurative way to express unawareness and evil. Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the בַּחֹ֣שֶׁךְ darkness. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put חֹ֤שֶׁךְ darkness for light and light for לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ darkness. Ezekiel 8:12 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the בַּחֹ֔שֶׁךְ darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’”
The ultimate consequence of evil is described with our word. 1 Samuel 2:9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the בַּחֹ֣שֶׁךְ place of darkness. Proverbs 20:20 If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch חֹֽשֶׁךְ darkness. We find both the literal and figurative uses of our word today in our chapter. Exodus 10:21-23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be חֹ֖שֶׁךְ darkness over the land of Egypt, a וְיָמֵ֖שׁ חֹֽשֶׁךְ darkness to be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch חֹֽשֶׁךְ darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. Our word is used in a literal sense in that it really was dark in that Egypt was unilluminated whereas Israel had sunlight so they could see. But because of the way our word is qualified with ְיָמֵ֖שׁ the meaning shows a deeper understanding of this literal reality that was also happening. This darkness had an emotional impact on the Egyptians they could feel it the sense is the idea of groping around in the darkness. This bring on depression and despair. We also see this same picture in Job of what happens to leaders of nations who do not know God and the wisdom or light he gives. Job 12:25 They grope in חֹ֥שֶׁךְ darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
The good news of God’s salvation through Jesus work is described repeatedly as taking us out of the darkness of evil which would also include depression and despair that comes as a consequence of it. Jesus first coming and ministry was predicted using our word. Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The people walking in חֹ֥שֶׁךְdarkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. God has always been about bringing his people out of darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29 You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my חָשְׁכִּֽי darkness into light. Psalm 18:28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my חָשְׁכִּֽי darkness into light. Psalm 107:14 He brought them out of מֵחֹ֣שֶׁךְ darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains.
