Wisdom 17:17-21: a reflection

17for whether he was a farmer, or a shepherd, or a laborer whose toils were in the wilderness, he was overtaken, and endured that inescapable sentence; for they were all bound with one chain of darkness. 18Whether there was a whistling wind, or a melodious sound of birds among the spreading branches, or a measured fall of water running violently, 19or a harsh crashing of rocks hurled down, or the swift course of animals bounding along unseen, or the voice of wild beasts harshly roaring, or an echo rebounding from the hollows of the mountains, all these things paralyzed them with terror. 20For the whole world was illuminated with clear light, and was occupied with unhindered works, 21while over them alone was spread a heavy night, an image of the darkness that should afterward receive them; but to themselves, they were heavier than darkness.

This passage describes the plague of darkness on Egypt, but it dwells on something deeper than the physical dark: the terror and paralysis of those trapped in it. While the rest of the world had light and went about its work, over the Egyptians alone lay a heavy night; and in that darkness they were paralyzed with terror, startled by every sound, imagining horrors. And the passage says something striking: to themselves, they were heavier than the darkness. Their own fear and guilt made the darkness worse; the darkness within was heavier than the darkness without.

Notice what the passage points to: an inner darkness, of fear and guilt, heavier than the outward dark. The physical darkness was oppressive; but worse was the darkness within them, the terror and dread that their own guilty fears bred, which made every sound a horror and paralyzed them. To themselves, they were heavier than the darkness; their inner state was darker than their surroundings. The deepest darkness was not the absence of outward light, but the fear and guilt within, which no physical light could dispel.

That inner darkness is worth taking to heart, for we too can carry a darkness within, of fear and guilt, that no outward circumstance can lift. We can be surrounded by light, by good circumstances, and yet carry within us a darkness of fear, dread, or guilt that weighs heavier than any outward gloom; the darkness within can be worse than any darkness without. And this inner darkness is not dispelled by changing our circumstances, but only by the light God gives. When you carry an inner darkness of fear or guilt, do not seek to dispel it merely by changing your outward circumstances; the darkness within needs the light that God alone gives. Bring your inner darkness, your fear and your guilt, to God, whose light can dispel the darkness within that no outward light can reach; for the deepest darkness is within, and only the God who is light can drive it out, as the Egyptians' inner darkness, heavier than the night, could be lifted by no earthly light.

Lord, this passage describes the plague of darkness on Egypt, but it dwells on something deeper than the physical dark: the terror and paralysis of those trapped in it. While the rest of the world had light, over the Egyptians alone lay a heavy night; and in that darkness they were paralyzed with terror, startled by every sound. And the passage says something striking: to themselves, they were heavier than the darkness. Their own fear and guilt made the darkness worse; the darkness within was heavier than the darkness without. Show me what the passage points to: an inner darkness, of fear and guilt, heavier than the outward dark. The physical darkness was oppressive; but worse was the darkness within them, the terror and dread their own guilty fears bred. To themselves, they were heavier than the darkness. The deepest darkness was not the absence of outward light, but the fear and guilt within, which no physical light could dispel. Take that to my heart, for I too can carry a darkness within, of fear and guilt, that no outward circumstance can lift. I can be surrounded by light, by good circumstances, and yet carry within me a darkness of fear, dread, or guilt that weighs heavier than any outward gloom. And this inner darkness is not dispelled by changing my circumstances, but only by the light you give. When I carry an inner darkness of fear or guilt, keep me from seeking to dispel it merely by changing my outward circumstances; the darkness within needs the light that you alone give. Help me bring my inner darkness, my fear and my guilt, to you, Lord, whose light can dispel the darkness within that no outward light can reach.