Exodus 11:1-10

Introduction

I.   The proper time sequence of the narrative between Pharaoh and Moses.

A.     The proper time sequence.

1.       Before Exodus 10:24, God speaks to Moses in Exodus 11:1-3.  He also gives Moses the information in Ex. 11:9 so Moses won’t be discouraged about the outcome of his upcoming visit with Pharaoh.

2.       In Ex. 10:24, Moses goes in unto Pharaoh and hears his compromise offer which is refused.

3.       Moses then hears Pharaoh’s threat of his life.

4.       Moses’ comment about that threat is in Ex. 11:4-8.

5.       Ex. 11:10 then is added as an explanation that Moses has done everything God commanded him to do.

B.     The first 3 verses of this chapter happen before 10:28,29.

1.       God speaks to Moses before he goes into Pharaoh when Pharaoh presents the fifth compromise offer.

2.       God prepares Moses beforehand for what he will say.

C.     A proper reading of the narrative will leave out these three verses, because God said this to Moses before he went in to Pharaoh during the 9th plague (darkness).

1.       The proper reading of the final narrative between Pharaoh and Moses is as follows:

a.       Ex. 10:29.

b.       Ex. 11:4-8

2.       Exodus 11:9 is further confirmation of God’s conversation with Moses that Pharaoh would not let Israel go, but that God would harden his heart so all God’s glory would be seen in his rebellion.

D.     Verse 1 and 2 - The word of the Lord before understood by Moses.

1.       Moses knew this would be the last plague.

2.       A fulfillment of 3:20-22.  NOTE: God will perform his promises, though He suffer long.

Verses 1-3,  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.

I.   There will be one final plague.

A.     This will be the most severe plague of all.

B.     Notice that the plagues have become more and more severe and time goes by.

C.     At first, there was no injury to anybody or anything, but as time has increased, and Pharaoh continually refuses to let Israel go, the severity of the plagues increase.

II.   Notice that the plagues are upon Pharaoh and Egypt.

A.     Pharaoh may be king of Egypt, but he isn’t immune from the judgment of God.

B.     As the leader is judged, so the nation is judged.

III.   There will be one more plague upon Egypt, then he will let you go.

A.     Indications are that Pharaoh will not willingly let Israel go.

1.       They will be thrust out, which means they will be driven out, quickly and severely expelled from the land.

2.       They will be forced to leave in a hurry.

Verse 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.

I.   Moses is to prepare the people for their soon coming, very quick removal from Egypt.

A.     When the time comes to leave, all Israel will leave together.

II.   The women and men are to borrow separately.

A.     What does it mean to borrow?

1.       To ask, to inquire, to beg.

2.       This is what the Lord told Moses when he was still at Horeb.

B.     This borrowing is not borrowing in the traditional sense.

1.       Normally, a person returns what they borrow, hopefully in the same or better condition.

2.       These things won’t be returned.

3.       This borrowing is not stealing, but a spoiling of the Egyptians by Israel.

4.       Israel had served “with rigor”, now they would be paid.

5.       These items are not just to enrich Israel, but so they will have the necessary materials to build the tabernacle.

C.     Some would declare that God was unjust in allowing, and even commanding, this “borrowing.”

1.       Some people don’t understand that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

2.       He can do with what is His as He sees fit.

3.       He can give to whomsoever He wills.

4.       He is not ever accountable to anybody for anything.

D.     The men were to borrow from the men.

1.       They would borrow the necessary things a man would use.

2.       There is really no mention of just exactly what a man would borrow.

E.      The women were to borrow from the women.

1.       They would borrow all sorts of jewels.

2.       They would probably borrow anything else they asked for.

F.      Israel would borrow from their neighbors so every Israelite would borrow only from those closest to them.

1.       Israel lived in the land of Goshen, which was separate from the land of Egypt.

2.       Each Israelite would go to those Egyptians they know and borrow from them.

3.       That seems to be the meaning of the word neighbor.

Verse 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.

I.   The Lord gave Israel favor in the sight of Egypt.

A.     It is amazing that Egypt gave them all these possessions.

1.       They were under such terror they would do anything Israel asked.

2.       They would do anything at all to get them out of Egypt because God has put that into their hearts.

3.       Verse 3 states that God gave Israel favor in the sight of the Egyptians.

4.       When we properly stand for the truth, “even our enemies will be at peace with us.”

5.       Verse 3 - Respect and favor for the people of God was granted from God, not from men.

II.   Moses, as Israel’s leader, would also be counted great, especially when he had proved more powerful than their religion and their king.

A.     Those Egyptians that counted Moses great.

1.       In all the land of Egypt - This seems to refer to all of the Egyptians in general.

2.       In the sight of Pharaoh’s servants.

a.       They might not tell Pharaoh so, because he wouldn’t like it.

b.       They would talk about Moses greatness to themselves.

B.     Moses didn’t start out to seek greatness.

1.       He only tried to do what God directed him to do.

2.       This is why the Egyptians thought he was great.

3.       They were not believers, but they knew Moses had a power they had never seen before.

4.       Lost people might not believe in our God, but we ought to be so obedient to our God they would say we are great.

Verse 4, And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

I.   Moses makes this speech in front of Pharaoh when the fifth compromise offer is refused.

A.     Egypt was warned, but they didn’t listen.

B.     Exodus 11:4-8 follows immediately after Exodus 10:26.

1.       God had probably spoken to Moses before he went before Pharaoh.

2.       God might have spoken to Moses while he was before Pharaoh.

II.   Midnight - but didn’t name which midnight.

A.     Those people that respected Israel and Moses would await that time with dread.

1.       There is no doubt in my mind that they knew what Moses said was the truth.

2.       See Exodus 10:7 – When Moses told Pharaoh about the 8^th plague, the Egyptians believed, but didn’t repent.

3.       See Exodus 10:24 – When the darkness was over, Pharaoh didn’t ask if God caused the darkness, but called for Moses because he knew that God had caused it.

4.       It could very well have been that the Egyptians “got used” to living with the death sentence over them, something like lost people today “get used” to living with hell just a heart beat away.

5.       Just because they “got used” to the idea that death was a heart beat away didn’t mean they were ready.

B.     Those 1^st born would be especially dreadful if they believed it all.

C.     Therefore:

1.       Those that believed were under the blood.

2.       Those that didn’t believe wasn’t under the blood.

3.       There are only two groups of people in the final analysis.

D.     They were “dead in sins” and couldn’t believe the facts of the preceding plagues, nor the certainty of their coming plague.  God must touch sinners.

III.   “I will go” - God Himself shall destroy, not a “death angel.”

A.     When I was young, I was taught that a black angel with a flaming sword was the death angel.

1.       There is no scripture at all to prove this.

2.       There may be a “death angel”, but the Bible doesn’t say there is.

B.     Scriptures that prove that God Himself came over Egypt.

1.       Exodus 12:12 - “I will” pass through the land of Egypt.

2.       Exodus 12:29 - At midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

Verse 5, 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.

I.   Firstborn shall die.

A.     Exodus 1:22 - As a retribution for the death of the male Israelites.  Only one from each family even though an entire family could be killed.

1.       Firstborn husband.

2.       Firstborn wife.

3.       Their firstborn child.

B.     No matter how great or small.

C.     Beast.

1.       Egyptian worship.

2.       God is more powerful than their God.

3.       a defeat of their religion.

II.   The firstborn belongs to the Lord.

A.     Exodus 13

1.       Verse 13 - The firstborn of an ass shalt be redeemed with a lamb or its neck will be broken.  The firstborn belongs to the Lord.

2.       Verse 14-16 - When the child shall ask why this is done, the father shall explain it is done to remember the strength of God in bringing Israel out of Egypt.

B.     Exodus 34:20 - A repeat of the command of Ex. 13:13.

C.     Numbers 3:46 - God established the tribe of Levi for Himself instead of taking the firstborn out of every tribe.

D.     Numbers 18:15 - A repeat of Numbers 3:46.

Verse 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.

I.   It is very difficult for me to imagine this great cry of anguish

A.     In every household, there would be someone dead.

1.       The sorrow would be mixed with hatred because the blame for the deaths would be placed on Moses.

2.       It is highly unlikely the Egyptians would blame their own unbelief for the death of their firstborn.

B.     There would be no one to comfort because everybody would need comforting.

II.   What a mass funeral service this would be. (No pun intended!)

A.     Probably many of the dead would not receive a proper burial because there wouldn’t be enough manpower to provide it.

1.       Pharaoh’s dead firstborn would be taken care of first.

2.       The “undertaker’s” dead firstborn would be taken care of next.

3.       Then the rich and famous.

4.       The poor man would probably have to bury their own dead.

B.     It should be noted that the Egyptians decided to follow Israel and kill them before they buried their dead.

1.       Their grief was very great, and they decided to lash out at those they perceived to be at fault.

2.       They didn’t consider their own fault.

3.       They had killed their own firstborn by not following the clear commands of God.

4.       Sinners are just like this today.

a.       They blame God for their misfortunes, never considering they are simply reaping the results of their own wickedness.

b.       Lost people die and go to hell because they haven’t admitted their sinfulness, and trusted Christ to forgive them of that wickedness. [1]

Verse 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.

A dog won’t bark against Israel.

Egypt will be able to see how the Lord has made a difference between Israel and themselves.

Verse 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.

I.   Your servants will come down unto me.

A.     These are the words Moses spoke to Pharaoh in response to 10:28,29.

1.       Pharaoh was sure he had the final word, but he was sadly mistaken.

2.       God will always have the final say.

3.       Pharaoh will never see Moses face to face again.

4.       He will send his personal servants, who will bow before Moses.

a.       Bowing recognizes the authority Moses has over Pharaoh.

b.       Pharaoh never thought he would come to this, but God brought him to this place for His own glory and honor.

B.     These must be the personal servants of Pharaoh.

1.       Pharaoh would discover his firstborn dead shortly after midnight.

2.       The bulk of his servants would be off duty.

3.       Pharaoh’s personal servants would be on hand immediately.

4.       They would be the first ones Pharaoh would send.

C.     This is exactly what happened.

1.       Ex. 12:31 - Pharaoh once again had his servants go to Moses.

2.       But this time, the command was, “Get out!”

3.       Ex. 12:31 doesn’t say the servants bowed before Moses, but I believe they did.

II.   …After that I will go out…

A.     God will never circumvent the authority he has given.

1.       God set Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt and gave him authority to run the country.

2.       God set Moses over Israel, and expects him to led Israel out of Egypt.

3.       Moses understands authority, and will not lead Israel out of Egypt until Pharaoh okays it.

B.     There are other avenues of authority God has established, and we should never circumvent any of those avenues of authority.

1.       God has placed the man as head of the house.  All the family members are individuals and as individuals must follow the Lord, yet they can never disregard the authority of the man as head of the home.

2.       God has placed pastors over his churches to lead them in worshipping him.  All the members of the church are individuals and must obey what God tells them to do, yet they must never circumvent the authority God has placed in their pastor.

III.   All the people that follow thee.

A.     This would not be limited to Jews only.

B.     Any Egyptian would also be free to leave.

1.       This is probably why the mixt-multitude also left Egypt.

2.       They thought it would be “easy sailing” with Moses because God would do everything.

C.     There seems to be no understanding that Moses is following God.

1.       There is no doubt in my mind that many of the Israelites were following Moses, not God.

2.       There are often those that follow the preacher instead of following God.

3.       Those people will always cause a lot of trouble, and will often lead others astray.

4.       This is exactly what happened to Israel in the wilderness.

IV.   Moses went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

A.     Some people believe it is wrong to get angry.

1.       God didn’t say it was wrong to get angry.

2.       He said, “Be angry and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath.”  Eph. 4:26.

B.     The words concerning Moses’ anger is very interesting.

1.       The word “great” refers to the burning and heat of very fierce anger.

2.       The word “anger” refers to the expression on Moses’ face.

a.       Moses’ anger was so great that his face showed the expression of a dying man.

b.       His rage at Pharaoh’s stubbornness was very, very intense.

C.     Moses was angry at Pharaoh’s sin, not Pharaoh.

Verse 9, And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

I.   God wants Moses to understand that Pharaoh will not listen.

A.     It is not that Moses preached the message wrong.

B.     Moses preached exactly what God told him to preach.

C.     He performed all the miracles exactly like God told him to.

Verse 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.

I.   Moses and Aaron did their part.

A.     We ought to always do our part.

B.     God will always do with our words and works what He desires to do.

II.   God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.  (This has been fully discussed in my notes on Ex. 7:3 and the file “harden.doc.”  [2]