Navigating the plagues

by Colleen Fitzpatrick

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… all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived (Exodus 10:23b).

Read Exodus 10:21 – 11:10

Things haven’t been going all that well for the Egyptians. They have had eight plagues before the plague of darkness:

• The water in the Nile River was turned into blood.
• Frogs arrived in plague proportions.
• Gnats plagued humans and animals.
• Next came flies.
• The livestock of the Egyptians became diseased and died.
• Humans and animals were infected with festering boils.
• Thunder, lightning and hail destroyed everything in the open.
• Locusts came and ate everything that the hail hadn’t destroyed.

Today’s reading tells us of the ‘darkness that can be felt’ – people could not see anything or go anywhere for three days. Still, Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go. Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh of the final plague; however, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and the people could not leave.

I wonder what the Egyptian people were thinking? It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like for the Egyptians. A plague of gnats – itchy bites for everyone; flies – getting in your mouth, your hair, your food – not much fun at all; thunder and lightning destroying crops and flocks – who is left to provide food for the community?

I recall driving through a plague of locusts. They got stuck in the front of the car and on the engine – and the smell … It was impossible to get rid of them until our neighbour came to the rescue with a high-pressure water cleaner. And have you ever had a boil or carbuncle? The throbbing pain of one is uncomfortable. Multiples of them don’t bear thinking about.

There was no media; however, I would guess there was a lot of chatter among the community. Would people have been blaming Pharaoh for what was happening? Blaming those in power when things go wrong can provide an outlet for people to vent their frustration and disappointment about things that appear beyond their control.

So, what do we do when things aren’t going our way or when we don’t agree with something that is happening in our church, community, country or the world? Many of us are probably asking the question about what’s happening today.

There’s some Old Testament wisdom that provides some guidance: ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).

As we navigate the challenges that life presents, may God give each of us the grace required to live according to those words.

Merciful God, thank you that you are with us no matter what is happening to us and in the world. Help us to do what you require of us: do good, act justly and walk humbly with you. Amen.

Colleen Fitzpatrick is retired and lives in Adelaide. She enjoys reading and writing. She particularly likes listening to people’s stories and learning from them about who they are and what they do. She loves nature and the beauty of God’s creation.

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