Exodus 11 - Printer Friendly

So far, the Lord has sent nine terrible disasters on Egypt (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). These were meant to support divine commands to free the Hebrew nation from slavery (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1, 13; 10:3). Yet the king, the pharaoh, has stubbornly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34). In fact, he has been dishonorable (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20) and deliberately obstinate (Exodus 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). So, God has turned him into an example of wrathful judgment (Exodus 10:1, 20, 27; 14:8). Pharaoh has just defied another appeal (Exodus 10:26) and has threatened Moses with death (Exodus 10:28–29).

As Moses stands in front of Pharaoh, he is given more information from the Lord. What comes next will be the final divine catastrophe brought upon Egypt. This will finally cause Pharaoh to allow the people to leave (Exodus 11:1).

Further, Moses is to instruct all Israelites to ask Egyptians for jewelry. The recent plagues have drastically changed the Egyptians' views on Moses and the Hebrew people. They will be generous as they desperately try to avoid further plagues (Exodus 3:21–22; 12:30–33, 35–36). These gifts will provide Israel wealth that can be easily transported (Exodus 11:2–3).

Then Moses delivers a gruesome promise from God. In the night, the Lord will kill all the "firstborn" of Egypt. This term refers to the primary heir, usually the oldest son. This will impact every family on every level, even animals. As the Lord said He would do (Exodus 4:21–23), He vows to kill the Pharaoh's own son for Egypt's refusal to release the Israelites. But the people of Israel will be free from even a hint of a threat (Exodus 12:13, 23). After centuries of slavery (Exodus 1:11–14) and stubbornness, this will cause Egypt to submit to God's commands and release the Hebrew people. After relaying this message, Moses walks away in an indignant mood (Exodus 11:4–8).

God reminds Moses that this is part of a divine plan to show every generation the power of God. Pharaoh's resistance was expected. Despite all that has happened, the Egyptian king will not submit (Exodus 11:9–10).

In the following chapter, the Lord will establish Passover (Exodus 12:27) , realign the Hebrew calendar (Exodus 12:2), and finally free His people from slavery (Exodus 12:41).

Exodus 11:4–10 records Moses' declaration of the final plague. He is still in the presence of Pharaoh, who has just threated Moses with death after the ninth plague (Exodus 10:28–29). In the night, God will kill every firstborn in Egypt—including those of cattle, slaves, and even the royal family itself. The Israelites will be spared, and Egypt will beg for the Israelites to leave. Moses then leaves, furious at Pharaoh. God reminds Moses that Pharaoh was never going to submit; these events happened to proclaim God's power to the world.

Immediately after being threatened by Pharaoh (Exodus 10:28–29), Moses is given more instructions from the Lord. He is to instruct the Israelites to ask Egyptians for jewelry. Recent events will have intimidated them enough to be generous. God also tells Moses to predict the last and worst plague: the death off all Egyptian firstborn. This will be the most terrible disaster of Egypt's entire history. It will also lead directly to Israelite freedom. Moses expresses this grim promise in furious anger but is reassured by God that this is all part of an expected plan.

Since the Lord sent Moses back into Egypt (Exodus 3—4), Pharoah has refused multiple commands to release the Hebrew slaves. This has brought nine epic disasters to his nation (Exodus 5—10). Most recently, Pharaoh has threatened to kill Moses if these discussions continue (Exodus 10:28–29). Moses hears instructions from the Lord which include a prediction about the last, and worst, of the plagues of Egypt. In the following chapter, God will establish the Passover and free the Israelites as Egypt mourns catastrophic losses (Exodus 12).