Exodus 11 Death of the Firstborn
Timeline: 1450 BC
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While Pharaoh was threatening Moses, God revealed a secret revelation to Moses as he was standing in the presence of Pharaoh. The message that Moses received was a response to Pharaoh's declaration. Exodus 11:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely. The tenth and last plague is intended to stand apart from the rest. This time the result will be freedom from Pharaoh and departure from Egypt. Prior to all the other plagues, God spoke to Moses before he appeared before Pharaoh to deliver His commands. This time, God spoke to Moses while he was in the presence of Pharaoh. Moses didn't threaten Pharaoh, he simply informed him what was about to happen next. Exodus 11:2 Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold." Go to the people of Israel and give them these instructions. The King James Version uses the word "borrow" rather than the word "ask". The New King James Version translates the word properly. God promised Abraham and Moses riches from the Egyptians:
Because of the devastation caused by the plagues, the Egyptian people were afraid that God would keep on ravaging the land until there was nothing left to destroy. But they took pity on the slaves.
This was how the slaves of Israel received their past wages from their time of slavery, and why they did not leave Egypt empty-handed. Spoiler alert: some of the articles of silver and gold were used in the construction of the tabernacle in the desert while other was melted to make the golden calf. Exodus 11:3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh's officials and by the people. God was at work, changing the hearts of the Egyptians toward His people. The very people who had been hated and despised by the Egyptians were now respected and honored by them. Moses, who was once a disgraced, exiled former-Egyptian, is now considered a person with great power and integrity. He was a man of his word. What he predicted happened. However, Pharaoh still looked upon Moses with disdain. Exodus 11:4 So Moses declared, "This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again. But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that, I will depart." And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh's presence. This is the final and most severe of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt. Unlike the previous plagues, which Moses and Aaron acted as intermediaries, God Himself executes the final plague. The Phraraoh's firstborn son, the heir to the throne, was considered a god-king in Egyptian culture. His death was a devastating crisis for the royal family's claim to divinity. God's justice is absolute and impartial holding no one exempt from His decrees, regardless of status. Even the firstborn of the lowest slave will not be spared. Dogs were often seen as guardians, warning people of impending danger. Their silence signified God's protection of His people while the rest of Egypt wailed in terror. Exodus 11:9 The LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt." Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land. God gave Pharaoh over to the consequences of his own stubbornness and cruelty. He withdrew His restraining influence, to strengthen the faith of the Israelites, proving that the God of Israel was the one true God. |
| Cassie, Matt, Mary | |
