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.
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.
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.
And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn 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.
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.
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.
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.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
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.
Exodus 11 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. It sets the stage for the climactic tenth plague, a plague so devastating that it would finally break Pharaoh's stubborn resistance and compel him to release the Israelites. This chapter highlights God's sovereign power, His faithfulness to His promises, and His meticulous plan for Israel's redemption.
God's Sovereign Authority (Exodus 11:1)
Exodus 11:1 opens with God informing Moses that He will bring "one more plague on Pharaoh." This plague, unlike the others, would be the decisive blow. It's crucial to recognize that God was not limited to a specific number of plagues. He could have delivered Israel with just one, or even without any at all. However, God's plan from the outset involved a series of ten plagues. This deliberate and escalating display of power served a profound purpose: to unequivocally demonstrate His sovereign authority and unmatched power to Pharaoh, to Egypt, and indeed, to the entire earth. This wasn't merely about freeing a nation; it was about revealing the glory and supremacy of Yahweh.
Repaying Years of Labor (Exodus 11:2-3)
Years before, when God initially called Moses in the wilderness, He promised that the Israelites would "plunder the Egyptians" upon their departure (Exodus 3:22). This promise was about to be fulfilled. Moses was instructed to tell the Israelites to request silver and gold articles from their Egyptian neighbors. This wasn't simply a matter of taking spoils; it was, in essence, the repayment of wages long overdue. After generations of forced labor and unjust servitude, Israel was finally receiving compensation for their suffering. The LORD ensured that the Egyptians would willingly grant these requests, demonstrating His favor towards His people. God was turning the tables, transforming their oppression into a moment of divine justice.
The Plague on the Firstborn (Exodus 11:4-6)
The tenth and final plague was to be the most devastating: the death of every firstborn male in Egypt, both human and livestock (Exodus 11:4-5). The Lord Himself would pass through the land, executing this judgment. The anguish and mourning throughout Egypt would be intense and widespread (Exodus 11:6), a direct consequence of Pharaoh's continued defiance and refusal to acknowledge God's authority.
God's Distinct Protection (Exodus 11:7)
Amidst this impending catastrophe, God reiterated His promise of protection for His people. Exodus 11:7 emphasizes the distinction God would make between the Egyptians and the Israelites. "But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." This divine protection underscored God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people. The absence of harm to the Israelites would be a clear sign of God's favor and a testament to His power to shield those who trust in Him.
Pharaoh's Inevitable Submission (Exodus 11:7-8)
The consequence of this plague would be the complete capitulation of the Egyptians. They would not only allow the Israelites to leave but would actively urge them to depart. They would beg them to leave, recognizing the futility of resisting the Almighty God any longer.
Moses' Bold Departure (Exodus 11:8)
After delivering God's message to Pharaoh, Moses left his presence in fierce anger (Exodus 11:8). This was not an uncontrolled outburst of rage, but a righteous indignation fueled by Pharaoh's obstinacy and the suffering of the Israelites. The image of an "unarmed Hebrew" issuing an ultimatum to the most powerful ruler in the land and then storming out of his palace is a powerful depiction of faith-filled courage and unwavering conviction. Moses, empowered by God, stood firm against injustice, a testament to the transformative power of divine authority.
Exodus 11 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His promises, His sovereign power over all creation, and His ability to deliver His people from even the most oppressive circumstances. This chapter prepares us for the dramatic events of the Passover and the Exodus, events that continue to resonate with believers today as symbols of redemption, liberation, and the enduring faithfulness of God.
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.
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.
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.
And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn 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.
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.
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.
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.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
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.
Exodus 11 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. It sets the stage for the climactic tenth plague, a plague so devastating that it would finally break Pharaoh's stubborn resistance and compel him to release the Israelites. This chapter highlights God's sovereign power, His faithfulness to His promises, and His meticulous plan for Israel's redemption.
God's Sovereign Authority (Exodus 11:1)
Exodus 11:1 opens with God informing Moses that He will bring "one more plague on Pharaoh." This plague, unlike the others, would be the decisive blow. It's crucial to recognize that God was not limited to a specific number of plagues. He could have delivered Israel with just one, or even without any at all. However, God's plan from the outset involved a series of ten plagues. This deliberate and escalating display of power served a profound purpose: to unequivocally demonstrate His sovereign authority and unmatched power to Pharaoh, to Egypt, and indeed, to the entire earth. This wasn't merely about freeing a nation; it was about revealing the glory and supremacy of Yahweh.
Repaying Years of Labor (Exodus 11:2-3)
Years before, when God initially called Moses in the wilderness, He promised that the Israelites would "plunder the Egyptians" upon their departure (Exodus 3:22). This promise was about to be fulfilled. Moses was instructed to tell the Israelites to request silver and gold articles from their Egyptian neighbors. This wasn't simply a matter of taking spoils; it was, in essence, the repayment of wages long overdue. After generations of forced labor and unjust servitude, Israel was finally receiving compensation for their suffering. The LORD ensured that the Egyptians would willingly grant these requests, demonstrating His favor towards His people. God was turning the tables, transforming their oppression into a moment of divine justice.
The Plague on the Firstborn (Exodus 11:4-6)
The tenth and final plague was to be the most devastating: the death of every firstborn male in Egypt, both human and livestock (Exodus 11:4-5). The Lord Himself would pass through the land, executing this judgment. The anguish and mourning throughout Egypt would be intense and widespread (Exodus 11:6), a direct consequence of Pharaoh's continued defiance and refusal to acknowledge God's authority.
God's Distinct Protection (Exodus 11:7)
Amidst this impending catastrophe, God reiterated His promise of protection for His people. Exodus 11:7 emphasizes the distinction God would make between the Egyptians and the Israelites. "But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." This divine protection underscored God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people. The absence of harm to the Israelites would be a clear sign of God's favor and a testament to His power to shield those who trust in Him.
Pharaoh's Inevitable Submission (Exodus 11:7-8)
The consequence of this plague would be the complete capitulation of the Egyptians. They would not only allow the Israelites to leave but would actively urge them to depart. They would beg them to leave, recognizing the futility of resisting the Almighty God any longer.
Moses' Bold Departure (Exodus 11:8)
After delivering God's message to Pharaoh, Moses left his presence in fierce anger (Exodus 11:8). This was not an uncontrolled outburst of rage, but a righteous indignation fueled by Pharaoh's obstinacy and the suffering of the Israelites. The image of an "unarmed Hebrew" issuing an ultimatum to the most powerful ruler in the land and then storming out of his palace is a powerful depiction of faith-filled courage and unwavering conviction. Moses, empowered by God, stood firm against injustice, a testament to the transformative power of divine authority.
Exodus 11 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His promises, His sovereign power over all creation, and His ability to deliver His people from even the most oppressive circumstances. This chapter prepares us for the dramatic events of the Passover and the Exodus, events that continue to resonate with believers today as symbols of redemption, liberation, and the enduring faithfulness of God.