Exodus 11 reminds me of learning to swim. Swimming was a requirement with water in the back yard. Having 5 older siblings meant that I was probably wearing a flotation device before I could walk. I remember the day my older brother decided I did not need that any longer. He simply pushed me in the water. Once in, I had to swim back to the ladder. Swimming lesson completed! Today’s lesson is that overcoming fear often requires deliberate prodding. This chapter describes the brief moment before the final plague. The Israelis had been under the oppressive hand of the Egyptians for over 400 years. No one remembered a time before slavery. They did not fully understand what was about to happen. This very short chapter provides few details about the past, or the future. The hour of judgement is at hand. Take a deep breath, it is time. The Lord said to Moses: “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go.” It is clear that the people will need more than a gentle nudge: “and when he does, he will drive you out completely.” Some of us know that feeling. We need to be pushed out of our comfort zone. The Lord adds a surprising twist to the exit plan: “Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” That seems like an impossible request. The next verse tells us: “The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people”. In my mind, I hear it more like a bad break-up: “Take whatever you want, just leave!” The people of Egypt were certainly tired of dealing with plagues! With the final judgement, even Pharaoh will desire to have them gone. The family of Jacob will be expelled!
Moses told Pharaoh exactly what the Lord said: “About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave”. After 9 plagues, we think that Pharaoh should now be paying attention to this warning. The truth is that we all know people that do not pay attention to any talk of potential consequences. Pharaoh is not the only one that lives in “denial”. Moses continues: “There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt.” The grief of losing a child is immeasurable. Virtually every Egyptian home will be impacted. The Lord adds a dramatic difference in how the children of God will be treated: “But among the Israelites not a dog will bark”. There will be supernatural peace among the Israelites. Moses continues: “Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.” God protects His kids. At the same time, those who reject God will be allowed to remain separated from God because He gives us free will. Jesus expanded the invitation to everyone that will believe: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). No matter how inviting, there are always stragglers, unwilling to take the leap.
Moses concludes God’s warning to Pharaoh: “these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me”, they will recognize the God of Moses is to be revered. They will say to Moses: “Go, you and all the people who follow you!” They will not only be ALLOWED to leave, they will be FORCED to leave. The only way the entire nation would leave at once is if they were ejected. We are very good at making excuses not to change. The water is too cold, the pain isn’t that bad, I’m just not ready… have you become accustomed to bondage? Moses concludes: “After that I will leave.” The entire nation had to follow. We read: “Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.” It is interesting that Moses’ anger caused most of his misery. We need to be really careful any time we represent God as angry. God hates sin, but that is because sin destroys the people He loves. Even in judgement, God is righteous. The prophet Joel describes Judgement Day. He begs people to return to the Lord in repentance. He concludes: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). The nation would wander in the desert for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. They blamed God, and Moses, but many simply would not repent. Friend, how long will you wander before you ask God to be be the Lord of your life? The chapter ends with a shove: “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go”. Both Israel and Egypt had to let go. What will it take for you to stop testing the waters and take the plunge?