EXODUS CHAPTER ELEVEN --------------------- DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN Chapter 11 begins the 10th and final plague which stands by itself. Disease, desolation and darkness had come upon Pharaoh's kingdom and now death would pay a visit. Warning after warning and plague after plague had been sent and Pharaoh still would not heed. After this final plague not only would he let Israel go, but he would trust them out (vs 1). Oh the futility in fighting against the living God! Pr 19:21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. God had purposed to bring Israel out of Egypt and He certainly would and at the appointed time. All of Pharaoh's resistance against God did not delay the deliverance of Israel by one moment of time. When Peter and some other apostles were preaching Christ, they were brought before the council. After Peter gave answer they sought to slay the apostles, but a Pharisees named Gamaliel, stood up among the Jewish leaders and said the following: Ac 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Verse 1, The LORD informs Moses that after this last and final plague that Pharaoh will trust them out of Egypt. Neither wealth nor science nor station in life would be of any uses in fighting against the Holy One of Israel. Those in the palace were no more secure than the humblest house in the land. Man's religion may have made him feel good, but when the crisis came, it could not stay the hand of death. Verses 2-3, The Lord gave the children of Israel favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moses was thought to be very great by the Egyptians. These two verses are viewed as a parenthetical statement. This had happen previously to that night of the Passover. borrow = ask or beg Fulfillment of promise given to Moses at the burning bush: Ex 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: Also promise given to Abraham 400 years prior: Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. By all natural reasoning the Egyptians should have hated the Israelites, but instead Jehovah has given them favour in their site. Verse 4-8, Moses gives Pharaoh this last warning. This verse is the continuation from 10:28-11:1. Moses is still in Pharaoh's court, because it was said that he would see Pharaoh's face no more (10:29). It will be the death of the firstborn, from the firstborn of Pharaoh down to his servants and even the beasts. Why the firstborn: Pink says that the firstborn, like the firstfruits, are a sample of the rest. By destroying the firstborn, it was a judgement against all of Egypt. Compare: Ex 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: 23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn. Israel too, was deserving of the death of the firstborn, else they would not have had to put the blood on the door post as we shall see in the next chapter. In verse 7 Moses said "that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." What was this difference? The blood of the Passover Lamb, which was in type pointing to Jesus Christ. Notice that Israel had not made themselves to differ, but rather the LORD PUT a difference between them and the Egyptians. 1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]? Israel had received sovereign mercy. But as we shall see, "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb 9:22). That Israel was guilty we can see from scripture. These verses describe Israel's moral state when they were redeemed from bondage. Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. Lev 17:7 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. The LORD did not favour them because He thought that down the road they would be a better people than others: READ Ezek 20:6-22 We see that the LORD delivered Israel not because of any worthiness in them, but simply for His name's sake. God did not redeem Israel because of their great faith, but because He remembered the covenant. God had respect to them for His covenant's sake. So too, God made a covenant with Christ before the world began, and it is for this covenant that He has respect toward men. Not a respecter of their persons, but favour toward them because of the covenant made with Christ, their head. In fact the last thing we hear mentioned about Israel's response to Moses was in chapter 6 verse 9. Ex 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. We also see that God controlled even the dogs on that night. Just as he would give the lions lock jaw, when Daniel was placed in the lion's den, so we see here that the LORD gave even the dogs lock jaw. In verse 8 we see that Moses left in fury. Verses 9-10, We see that Pharaoh's heart is hardened again that this last plague might happen. This last plague is a must. Without it there would not have been the necessity of the Passover, which is the great picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: