Pharaoh Yields to God

1. Pharaoh Yields to God Exodus 11:1-12:51

2. A Parenthetical Statement • Before Moses’ answer to Pharaoh was concluded, the author seems to give a parenthetical statement (Exodus 11:1-3). • It explains the confidence he showed in his speech to the king, arising from God’s telling him Pharaoh would drive the children of Israel out after one more great plague. • God directed Moses to command the people to go to their neighbors and ask for jewelry made of gold and silver, assuring him the Egyptians would look upon the request favorably. • Moses was viewed as a great man in the eyes of the Egyptians.

3. Pharaoh’s Last Warning • Pharaoh had refused to submit to God’s authority from the start (Exodus 11:4-10). • Now, Pharaoh’s firstborn, who was potentially the next Pharaoh, would die. • Instead of working through Moses and Aaron, the last plague was brought by the Lord. • God had Moses foretell of a great cry going up across the land because of the deaths of the firstborn. • God kept every Israelite safe, thus making a clear distinction and showing God had acted. • When this terrible plague was over, the Egyptians would drive them out.

4. Passover Instructions • The month of deliverance, called Abib or Nisan, would begin the Hebrew calendar (Ex. 12:1-11). • Every man would take a lamb for his household. • Smaller families would combine to offer a lamb. • The lamb, which was to be less than a year old and without blemish, would be killed at dusk. • Its blood was to be sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of the house. • The lamb was to be roasted and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. • Each was to eat dressed for travel and with their walking sticks in their hands. • They were not to leave any lamb.

5. The Passover’s Importance • The meal was to be eaten in haste because it was God’s Passover (Exodus 12:12-28) • He planned to carry out judgment against the gods of Egypt and strike all the firstborn males in the land • Blood over the doorpost would cause death to pass over the house without killing the firstborn • Its importance is seen in annual week long memorial feast in which leaven was removed from houses • Foreshadowed greater Lamb who would die to preserve God’s people (John 1:29; 19:36; 1 Cor. 5:7) • Annual observance would lead to questions of youth

6. The Death of the Firstborn Exodus 12:29-51 • At midnight, just as God had said, the firstborn in every household and barnyard of Egypt died • A terrible cry of mourning went up across the land • Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, telling them to take the children of Israel, including everything, and leave the land of Egypt • Egyptians hurried God’s people along because they feared death would overtake them all • Israelites gathered everything, including unbaked dough, and all the items the Egyptians had given them and left the land of bondage

7. The Exodus Begins • Close to 600,000 men, plus women, children and livestock walked toward Succoth • 430 years in a strange land came to an end • From that day forward, Israel kept a solemn feast annually to remind them of God’s powerful deliverance • All of God’s people and their servants kept the feast • If an outsider wanted to participate, the males of his household were required to be circumcised