Exodus 12:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.

NIV: During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.

NASB: Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, 'Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the Lord, as you have said.

CSB: He summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and said, "Get out immediately from among my people, both you and the Israelites, and go, worship the Lord as you have said.

NLT: Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. 'Get out!' he ordered. 'Leave my people — and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the Lord as you have requested.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.

Pharaoh wastes no time after suffering the death of his own son (Exodus 4:21–23). Every household in Egypt is devastated by the loss of their firstborn (Exodus 11:4–6; 12:29–30). Although he had threatened Moses and Aaron (Exodus 10:28), Pharaoh calls for them in the middle of the night and grants the nation of Israel complete freedom (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). He makes no attempt to negotiate. He has not submitted to God in any sort of faith—he is merely surrendering in the face of annihilation.

Because he so often rejected chances to honor God (Exodus 7:3, 13, 14, 22; 8:19), Egypt's king is now beyond any chance of repentance (Exodus 10:1–2; Proverbs 29:1). This will be yet another temporary mood (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20). Before long, he will change his mind and decide to pursue Israel (Exodus 14:5–8), resulting in the loss of his army (Exodus 14:23, 28) and most likely his own life.

Pharaoh is mentioned seven times in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:21, 22; 7:8, 18; 11:3; 29:2; 34:11), using what God's rescue and what He did to Pharaoh to give the nation of Israel confidence regarding taking the land across the Jordan river (Deuteronomy 29:2).

Exodus 12:29–32 describes the tenth (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and most devastating of the Lord's judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). As promised (Exodus 11:4–6), God kills every firstborn in Egypt, from the lowliest animals to the Egyptian king's own family. Only the Israelites, whose homes are marked with lamb's blood, are spared (Exodus 12:23). Reeling from the death of his own son, Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 4:21–23).

Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.

Moses was sent to lead Israel into freedom (Exodus 3:10). This meant announcing the Lord's supernatural judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–21). After nine such disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), a tenth was promised (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6). In this chapter, God provides instructions for Israel to both survive and commemorate this first Passover night. Egypt reels from the death of its firstborn and demands Israel leave that very night. More directions about the future are to come (Exodus 13). Then Pharaoh will once again change his mind and confront the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.