Exodus 11:1-10

One More Plague

Read the passage

1Then 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.

2Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

3And 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.

4So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

5and 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.

6Then 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.

7But 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.

8And 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.

9The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”

10Moses 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.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The LORD tells Moses that one more plague will come upon Pharaoh and Egypt. After it, Pharaoh will let Israel go, and when he does, he will drive them out completely. God tells Moses to instruct the people to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry.

The LORD gives the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Pharaoh's officials and the Egyptian people hold Moses in high regard. He announces that about midnight the firstborn in Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the servant girl and the firstborn of the cattle.

There will be a great cry throughout Egypt, unlike any before or after. But among the Israelites, not even a dog will growl at person or animal. This distinction will show that the LORD makes a difference between Egypt and Israel.

Pharaoh's servants will come down and bow to Moses, urging him and all the people to leave. Moses burns with anger and leaves Pharaoh. The LORD has already told Moses that Pharaoh will not listen, so that God's wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.

God announces both the judgment and its outcome before the night arrives. Pharaoh will finally drive Israel out completely. The king who has repeatedly set conditions will lose his hold on them. Yet the promised cry across Egypt makes the cost terrible to contemplate. We should hear the warning with reverence, not delight in the deaths it announces.

Questions

1 What does God say will happen after one more plague?

AnswerPharaoh will let Israel go and drive them out completely. God announces an end to the king's refusal.

2 Who will be struck in the final plague?

AnswerEvery firstborn son in Egypt, from Pharaoh's household to the servant girl's, along with the firstborn of the cattle. The judgment will reach across social rank.

3 What distinction does God announce for Israel?

AnswerNot even a dog will snarl at an Israelite person or animal. God says the contrast will show that He distinguishes between Egypt and Israel.

4 What are the Israelites told to request from their neighbors?

AnswerArticles of silver and gold. The LORD gives them favor with the Egyptians, preparing for a departure in which they will not leave empty-handed.

What This Means for Us

God's patience with Pharaoh has not made His warnings empty. Judgment is approaching, and the people Pharaoh has held will be released. We should take God's correction seriously rather than assume that time to respond means no response is needed.

The threatened deaths reach households with very different degrees of power. Read this passage with care, especially with children who may find it frightening. Explain what God actually announces and keep the larger rescue story in view. His protection is mercy to receive with gratitude, never a reason to enjoy another family's grief.

Prayer

Holy God, we tremble before the judgment described here. Protect people caught under oppressive power, keep us from celebrating suffering, and teach us to use whatever influence we have to seek freedom, justice, and mercy. Amen.

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