Psalms 105:28
He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is the subtle tension in who "they" refers to. While the ESV reads "they did not rebel against his words," some translations and scholars suggest it might mean the plagues themselves were obedient, a stark contrast to the Egyptians who were rebelling. This twist highlights God's absolute authority, even over the very elements He unleashes.
This passage is part of a psalm recounting God's mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. It focuses on the plagues God sent upon the Egyptians, highlighting His power and judgment. The verse specifically refers to the plague of darkness, one of the most terrifying, and contrasts it with the obedience of Moses and Aaron, or perhaps even the plagues themselves, in carrying out God's commands.
Imagine a darkness so thick it can be felt. This wasn't just a natural event; it was a targeted message from God.
The plague of darkness sent upon Egypt wasn't random. The text in Psalms emphasizes that God sent it, making the land dark. This highlights God's direct involvement and sovereign control, even over something as profound as the absence of light.
This plague, described in Exodus 10:21-23, was the ninth of ten, a potent demonstration of God's power against the gods of Egypt. Its purpose was to instill fear and demonstrate God's authority, ultimately to bring about the Israelites' release. The scholars note that this plague is placed first in the psalm's recounting, not necessarily in historical order, but for its symbolic weight and power.
Who exactly 'rebelled not'? The answer might surprise you and reveal something crucial about obedience.
The phrase 'they did not rebel against his words' is a point of scholarly discussion, leading to two main interpretations:
The Obedience of Moses and Aaron: Some commentators suggest 'they' refers to Moses and Aaron. Despite Pharaoh's threats and the potential danger, they faithfully carried out God's commands, refusing to waver. Their obedience was a testament to their trust in God's word.
The Unseen Obedience of the Plague Itself: Another perspective, echoed by some scholars, is that the 'they' refers to the plague itself – the darkness and other elements. This view suggests that these natural forces, under God's command, acted obediently, fulfilling God's word perfectly, unlike the Egyptians who continually resisted.
While the Egyptian's rebellion is clear throughout the Exodus narrative, the psalm here seems to focus on the contrast between God's sovereign power and the faithful execution of His will, whether by His servants or His created elements.
Understand the original words
marah · Hebrew Verb
In the Bible, rebellion refers to an act of willful defiance against the revealed will or authority of God. To 'not rebel' signifies total obedience and adherence to divine commands.
dabar · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the plagues, this refers to the divine decree or instruction given by God to His messengers, which serves as the active force behind the events that follow.
This verse recalls the plague of darkness, highlighting the contrast between the Egyptians' continued rebellion and the faithful obedience of Moses and Aaron in carrying out God's decrees.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites' Exodus from Egypt
The culmination of the plagues, this event marks the liberation of the Israelites from centuries of slavery in Egypt under Moses and Aaron.
c. 1446 BC
The Ninth Plague: Darkness
A three-day period of absolute darkness, so thick it could be felt, that specifically afflicted the Egyptians while the Israelites in Goshen had light.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh's Resistance
Throughout the plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites go, demonstrating ongoing rebellion against God's word.
c. 1446 BC
Moses and Aaron's Obedience
Despite Pharaoh's threats and the dangers involved, Moses and Aaron faithfully carried out God's commands in bringing the plagues.
This passage describes the plague of thick darkness sent upon Egypt, directly correlating with the event mentioned in Psalms 105:28 and providing the historical context.
Hebrews 11:27This verse highlights Moses' faith and obedience in leaving Egypt, unseen, which aligns with the idea of not rebelling against God's word, as referenced in Psalms 105:28.
Jeremiah 13:16This verse speaks of spiritual darkness and God's judgment, offering a metaphorical parallel to the literal plague of darkness in Psalms 105:28 and its spiritual implications.
Romans 1:28This passage describes God giving people over to a 'depraved mind' because they did not see fit to acknowledge God, which echoes the theme of spiritual blindness and rebellion against God's truth, contrasting with the obedience mentioned in Psalms 105:28.
pulpitPsalms 105:28: "He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word."
Verse 28. - He sent darkness, and made it dark (see Exodus 10:21-23). And they rebelled not against his word. If the "not" is to stand in this passage, it must be referred to Moses and Aaron. Professor Cheyne, however, following the Septuagint and Peshito versions, boldly cancels the "not."
bensonPsalms 105:28: "He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word."
Psalm 105:28-31 . He sent darkness, &c. — This was one of the last plagues, though here mentioned first: God sent darkness, and, coming with commission from him, it came with efficacy; his command made it dark. And they rebelled not against his word — That is, the people of Israel were not disobedient to God’s commands by Moses and Aaron, respecting killing the passover, and making preparation, in other…
What's easy to miss here is the subtle tension in who "they" refers to. While the ESV reads "they did not rebel against his words," some translations and scholars suggest it might mean the plagues themselves were obedient, a stark contrast to the Egyptians who were rebelling. This twist highlights God's absolute authority, even over the very elements He unleashes.
This passage is part of a psalm recounting God's mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. It focuses on the plagues God sent upon the Egyptians, highlighting His power and judgment. The verse specifically refers to the plague of darkness, one of the most terrifying, and contrasts it with the obedience of Moses and Aaron, or perhaps even the plagues themselves, in carrying out God's commands.
This passage is part of a psalm recounting God's mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. It focuses on the plagues God sent upon the Egyptians, highlighting His power and judgment. The verse specifically refers to the plague of darkness, one of the most terrifying, and contrasts it with the obedience of Moses and Aaron, or perhaps even the plagues themselves, in carrying out God's commands.
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"He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words." — What's easy to miss here is the subtle tension in who "they" refers to. While the ESV reads "they did not rebel against his words," some translations and scholars suggest it might mean the *plagues t…
