Exodus 11:1-10

December 17, 2014

Were back in our study of Exodus, and we return to Egypt just after the plague of darkness.
Pharaohs land is in ruins and his people are demoralized after losing so many animals and
crops and suffering from the bites of insects and from boils. Their only remedy is to release
the Israelites from bondage, but God has supernaturally hardened their hearts so that they
will not do it. Now we come to chapter eleven which serves as a sort of prelude to the final
plague known as the Passover:
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.
This final plague will bring the prediction from 6:1 to pass. Not only will Pharaoh let them
leave, but he will drive them out in fear. This fear characterizes Egypt throughout the rest
of this chapter and explains why they do some of the things they do.
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.
First, the King James may be a little difficult because the Hebrew word for borrow doesnt
necessarily mean what it means in modern English. It simply means to ask or request, and

Israel is to ask Egypt for precious metals. Its a strange request for a group of people about
to spend the rest of their lives in the desert, but if we read a couple other verses well learn
more. For instance, go over to chapter twelve and read about when this actually happens:
And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in
haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34And the people took their dough before it was
leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35And
the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians
jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36And the LORD gave the people favour in the
sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they
spoiled the Egyptians (Ex. 12:33-36).
Additionally, one of the Psalmists gives a little commentary: He brought them forth also
with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38Egypt was glad
when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them (Ps. 105:37-38).
Consider that Egypt had already lost most of its wealth, so spending what remains to get
Israel out is really just a continuation of their ruin. Its also a small dose of poetic justice
because in pride Pharaoh had asked, Who is Yahweh, and why should I obey him? (5:2).
Now they not only want to obey but will even pay for the opportunity to do so; theyll do
whatever it takes to get Israel out of their land and Yahweh off their backs.
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 Pharaohs servants, and in the
sight of the people.
The word for favor means what we think, but the context allows us to say that it was from
fear and not friendship. The once cruel taskmasters are now warm and friendly as they say
whatever is necessary to send Israel away. It also says Moses was great in their eyes, and
we have to read that from the same context. When he said a plague was coming, it did
come, and it was dreadful. He was great in the same way a mighty conqueror is great; he
was feared and taken seriously and was not to be refused.
Think of this in light of the New Covenant and the victory God has given us over our
enemies. We sit with him at his throne as kings and priests (1 Pt. 2:9) and more than
conquerors (Rom. 8:37).
4

And 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 first born 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.
This is the Passover, and its one of the most important passages in the Old Testament.
Remember our study of the firstborn, and remember that the firstborn son is a symbol of
his fathers strength (Ps. 78:51). Egypts strength was to perish all the way from the kings

throne, to the lowest mill worker, and even on down even to the animals. The spiritual
application is that God completely destroys the power of the captor so that we are free
indeed!
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. 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.
Again we see that the Lord puts a difference between Egypt and Israel when there is
mourning in one but not the other. Israel was not a nation of innocents, but God had chosen
them for his own purpose. It says here that the dog wont move his tongue, and other
translations just say that the dogs wont bark. The idea is that there will be fear and death
in Egypt, but there wont even be any fear in Goshen; nothing will even be out of the
ordinary. This is important for us too because we see where Gods wrath is poured. Egypt
receives it all until they are ruined, but Israel gets nothing: who shall even bring a charge?
Note carefully that it doesnt say that the Lord notices a difference between the two
nations, but rather that he puts it. Sometimes this gets played down, but the Hebrew verb is
in a form that indicates causative action.1 In other words, its correct to say that God puts
the difference between Egypt and Israel. If he has a lump of clay, he divides it into two
pieces: one is formed for mercy, but the other os formed for wrath despite being from the
same lump!
Naturally the question arises of why God would do this. We can look at other verses and get
an idea:
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. 5For I know
that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that
did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. 7He causeth the vapours to
ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out
of his treasuries. 8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. 9Who sent tokens
and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. 10Who
smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; 11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of
Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: 12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage
unto Israel his people. 13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD,
throughout all generations (Ps. 135:4-13).
God chose Israel for a peculiar treasure, and whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he. It
pleased him to tear Egypt down, and that was for the endurance of his name. It pleased him
to bring Israel up, and that was also a perpetual memorial.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exo&c=11&t=KJV#s=t_conc_61007

The next Psalm says to give thanks To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy
endureth for ever (Ps. 136:10). If you asked a thousand people how God is merciful I doubt
this would be an answer youd get. God is merciful, says the Psalmist, because he killed
Egypts firstborn. That may seem difficult to swallow, until we realize that Egypt was a
nation of captors holding Israel in slavery. God was merciful to Israel and took Egypts
strength to guarantee salvation. The Lord slays the captor and sets the captive free!
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.
This is Moses speaking to Pharaoh, and he predicts that the Egyptians will soon beg Moses
to leave the land, and then he storms away from Pharaoh in anger. This anger is notable
because its righteous indignation at Pharaohs stubbornness; earlier he was shoved out of
the kings presence, and at times he was timid, but now he is unafraid by faith. It makes me
think of what the author of Hebrews has to say about him:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs
daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he
forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible
(Heb. 11:24-27).
9

And 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 Pharaohs heart, so that he would not let the
children of Israel go out of his land.
Theres no logical reason to think the Passover wont happen since every other plague has
come to pass, but the Lord wants to multiply his wonders in Egypt. Therefore, he has
hardened Pharaohs heart so that he will not listen. Now, however, things are about to
change. Now its time for Passover, and well pick up here next time.
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