Finding Christ in the Old Testament - Exodus 10:21 - 11:10

Finding Christ in the Old Testament
Exodus 10:21–11:10

The ninth plague, a thick darkness covering Egypt for three days, was no ordinary nightfall—it was a supernatural judgment that could be felt. Yet, in the land of Goshen, where God’s people dwelled, there was light. This plague reveals the theological contrast between judgment and deliverance, wrath and mercy, blindness and revelation. The darkness is a type of God’s judgment poured out on a sinful world, pointing forward to the greater darkness that fell upon the land as Christ hung on the cross. For three hours, the light of the world was obscured as the Lamb of God bore the sin of the world. Egypt’s darkness foreshadows Golgotha’s dread noon, when the sun was blotted out and divine justice was satisfied. But just as Israel was preserved from the plague, so all who are in Christ are spared from judgment and brought into the light of His mercy. The final blow—death of the firstborn—is withheld for a moment, but its coming underscores the need for substitution, fulfilled perfectly in the Firstborn of all creation, who died that others might live.

Devotion
Christ endured the darkness of judgment that we might walk in His light. The plague that struck Egypt reminds us that God will not overlook sin, but it also foreshadows the gospel: judgment passes over those sheltered by the blood of the Lamb. As darkness covered Egypt, so too it covered Calvary—but in both, God was at work to redeem His people.

New Testament Verse
Luke 23:44–45 (ESV)
“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

Collect
Lord God of light and truth, who once judged Egypt with a darkness that could be felt and yet preserved Your people from its terror, grant that we who were once in darkness may live as children of light, trusting in Him who bore the darkness of the cross and brought us into Your marvelous light, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn Verse
No tramp of soldiers’ marching feet
With banners and with drums,
No sound of music’s martial beat:
“The King of glory comes!”
To greet what pomp of kingly pride
No bells in triumph ring,
No city gates swing open wide:
“Behold, behold your King!”
— No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet (LSB 444:1)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!