*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.
11:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.
11:3 And the LORD gave the people favour 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.
11:4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
11:6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
11:8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
11:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
11:10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
12:30 And 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.
12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.