The Unshakeable Holiness of God: Lessons from Exodus Ten

In the face of adversity, human nature often compels us to cling to the illusion of control. We fancy ourselves as masters of our fate, captains of our souls. This sentiment, immortalized in William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus," resonates with many. But what happens when we confront a power far greater than ourselves?

The book of Exodus offers a profound exploration of this question through the story of Pharaoh and the plagues of Egypt. As we delve into Exodus chapter 10, we witness the unfolding of the eighth and ninth plagues: locusts and darkness. These events serve not just as historical accounts, but as powerful illustrations of God's holiness and man's stubborn pride.

Pharaoh, the epitome of human arrogance, had already weathered seven devastating plagues. Yet, he remained unmoved, his heart hardened against the God of the Hebrews. Even as his country lay in ruins, Pharaoh clung to the belief that he could rebuild, that the future was still his to control.

God's question to Pharaoh rings out across the ages: "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?" It's a question that challenges not just Pharaoh, but each of us. How often do we, in our own ways, refuse to bow before God's sovereignty?

The plague of locusts stripped away Pharaoh's last vestiges of hope. These insects devoured not just the crops, but the very future Pharaoh thought he controlled. The devastation was unprecedented - "Such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been seen before, nor ever will be again." In the wake of this destruction, Pharaoh was forced to confront the limits of his power.

Yet, even this was not enough to break Pharaoh's pride completely. God had one more lesson to impart - the plague of darkness. This was no ordinary darkness, but a palpable, oppressive force that left the Egyptians groping in fear. For three days, they were plunged into a blackness so complete it seemed to undo creation itself.

This darkness serves as a powerful metaphor for life without God. It's a darkness that can be felt, a darkness that disorients and terrifies. It strips away our illusions of control and forces us to confront our own powerlessness.

Through these plagues, God reveals His holiness in a way that cannot be ignored. He demonstrates His power over creation, over the future, and over the hearts of men. The message is clear: God alone is sovereign, and He alone is worthy of our reverence and worship.

But why does God choose to reveal Himself in this way? The answer lies in the opening verses of Exodus 10: "that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson... that you may know that I am the Lord." These events were recorded not just for Pharaoh's benefit, but for ours. They serve as a stark reminder of God's holiness and our need for His mercy.

This brings us to a crucial question: How dominant is God's holiness in our perception of Him? In our modern context, it's easy to emphasize God's love and mercy while neglecting His holiness and justice. Yet, a true understanding of God must encompass both. The plagues of Egypt remind us that God's holiness demands a response - either humble submission or stubborn rebellion.

The story of Pharaoh serves as a mirror, reflecting our own innate desires to be like God, to control our destinies. It forces us to confront the question posed by the Psalmist: "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?"

The answer to this question is found not in Egypt, but on a hill outside Jerusalem. It's found in Jesus Christ, who faced the darkness of God's judgment so that we wouldn't have to. Unlike Pharaoh, who proudly declared "I am the master of my fate," Jesus humbly prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done."

On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God's holy wrath against sin. He experienced the darkness and separation that we deserve. And on the third day, He rose victorious, breaking the power of sin and death.

Through faith in Christ, we find the answer to the Psalmist's question. In Jesus, we can stand before a holy God without fear. United with Christ, we are safe in the presence of the God who judges sin, because our sin has already been judged in Jesus.

This is the gospel - the good news that stands in stark contrast to Pharaoh's stubborn pride. It's an invitation to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging His holiness and our need for His mercy. It's a call to find our security not in our own strength or control, but in the finished work of Christ.

As we reflect on the plagues of Egypt, let us be reminded of two fundamental truths: God is holy and will judge sin, and Jesus Christ has taken that judgment for us. These truths should inspire both awe and gratitude. They should motivate us to live lives that reflect God's holiness and to share the good news of His mercy with others.

In a world that often echoes Henley's "Invictus," declaring itself the master of its fate, we are called to a different poem - one of humble dependence on God. We are invited to find true freedom not in asserting our own will, but in submitting to God's. For it is only in losing our lives for Christ's sake that we truly find them.

May we, like Moses, stand in awe of God's holiness. May we, unlike Pharaoh, humble ourselves before Him. And may we, through faith in Christ, find the courage to face whatever darkness may come, knowing that we are held secure in the hands of a holy and merciful God.