*Exodus 11:1-10; 12:29-36
God announces the final plague, the death of the firstborn, instructs the Israelites on how to mark their homes for protection, and the Egyptians mourn their dead as the Israelites depart.
- Exodus 11:1-10:
- Divine Warning: God informs Moses of the final plague, the death of the firstborn, which will compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
- Instructions for Departure: Moses relays God’s command for the Israelites to request articles of silver and gold from their Egyptian neighbors as a form of compensation for their years of servitude.
- Divine Hardening: Despite the impending devastation, God reaffirms that Pharaoh’s heart will remain hardened, leading to further displays of divine power.
- Final Plague Foretold: Moses warns Pharaoh of the impending plague, emphasizing its severity and the subsequent outcry among the Egyptian people.
- Departure of Moses: After delivering this message, Moses departs from Pharaoh’s presence in anger.
- Exodus 12:29-36:
- Death of the Firstborn: At midnight, the Lord strikes down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoners, including livestock.
- Pharaoh’s Response: Overwhelmed by grief and fear, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron, urging them to leave Egypt with the Israelites immediately.
- Israelites Depart: The Israelites hastily gather their belongings and depart from Egypt, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham centuries earlier.
- Egyptian Favor: As instructed by God, the Israelites ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing, who generously provide them, displaying a remarkable shift in attitude towards the departing slaves.
- Exodus Fulfilled: After 430 years of dwelling in Egypt, the Israelites leave in large numbers, marking the end of their enslavement and the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land.
- Divine Providence: God ensures that the Israelites find favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 15:14 regarding their departure with great possessions.
Exodus 11:1-10 and 12:29-36 teach us that God keeps His promises and provides a way for His people. The Israelites had suffered for a long time, but when the time was right, God delivered them from Egypt. This reminds us that even when we face hardships, God has a plan and will bring us through. It encourages us to trust in His timing, follow His guidance, and believe that He will always make a way for those who put their faith in Him.
Exodus 11:1-10; 12:29-36 (WEB)
11:1 The LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.4 Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt, 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock. 6 There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. 7 But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’ ” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.9 The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.12:29 At midnight, the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.