Exodus 11 -- Old Testament -- Gospel Daily

Exodus

Chapter 11

The Final Plague Announced

The LORD tells Moses that one final plague will come upon Egypt, after which Pharaoh will not merely release Israel but forcibly drive them out entirely. Moses is instructed to have the Israelites ask their Egyptian neighbours for jewels of silver and gold, and God grants the people favour in Egyptian eyes; Moses himself is held in great esteem throughout the land. Moses then proclaims God's word that at midnight the LORD will pass through Egypt and every firstborn — from Pharaoh's heir on the throne to the maidservant's child, as well as the firstborn of animals — will die, while no harm at all will come to the children of Israel, demonstrating God's distinction between Egypt and His people. Moses departs from Pharaoh in great anger, and the LORD reaffirms that Pharaoh's heart would remain hardened so that God's wonders might be multiplied in Egypt.

Final plague announcedDeath of the firstbornIsrael distinguished from EgyptPharaoh's hardened heartGod's sovereign purpose

¹And 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.

²Speak 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.

³And 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.

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

⁵And 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.

⁶And 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.

⁷But 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.

⁸And 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.

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

¹⁰And 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.