Totalitarian rule is being worn down.
A reflection on a reading from today's Church of England lectionary. April 8, 2022. Exodus Chapter 10
Moses warns Pharaoh that God will send locusts to destroy what is left of Egyptian agriculture after the hailstorms. In the first signs of reality dawning amongst Pharaoh’s officials and in recognition of the desperate situation the country is in they, at risk to themselves, advise him to let the Israelites leave. He refuses, the locusts descend and devastate the crops.
Usually, Moses warns Pharaoh, on God's instruction, that a punishment is coming. But on the next occasion he doesn't. Instead, God tells him that he is sending darkness on the land. It lasts three days during which the darkness is so profound that the people were unable to see anything. There was no moon or stars. The passage says that the darkness could be felt physically. Can you imagine the fear and confusion the people were in? Pharaoh relents and summons Moses to lift the darkness and says that he will let the people go.
Why is Pharaoh's totalitarian rule under threat? Firstly, the officials warn him, with some threat to themselves, but they now have more fear for their country than they do of Pharaoh. Secondly, Moses is confident enough to let the disaster happen without warning.
This is what happens in authoritarian systems. When people lose their fear of the ruler change is not far away.