Lessons Learned on the Journey Tenth Plague: Grace and Judgment Exodus 11: 1-10

Introduction

We’ve been taking a journey through the book of Exodus to see if we can learn some lessons from the children of Israel and their struggle for freedom from the bondages of this life. Today we will take a look at God’s grace and judgment.

Exodus chapter 11 begins, “And the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold." And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.” (Exo 11:1-3)

The history of the plagues is referred to in other historical writing and in many other chapters of the Bible. Israel is often encouraged and reminded of what the Lord did for them when he brought them out of the Land of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The Exodus reminds us of:  God’s great and mighty power.  His blessing upon the people of God.  His faithfulness to the covenantal promises he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  His grace in bringing them out of the land of bondage; for after all, they were just as much sinners as the children of Pharaoh were sinners.

Throughout the Bible, the significance of the plagues is recounted. But when we reach the Book of Revelation, we suddenly see in the judgments of the last days, reflections of these plagues in the land of Egypt. The plagues in the land of Egypt and the plagues of the last days are very similar. We also see Satan’s great struggle against God and His chosen people. The Pharaoh becomes the earthly representative of Satan; and Satan has declared war on God and the people of God. That conflict will finally reach its climax in the last days and that is the great story of the Book of Revelation. The good news is, God will ultimately destroy Satan’s kingdom and all evil once and for all. He will completely eliminate the satanic trinity of the tribulation period; the dragon, the beast and the false prophet which rise to power in the last days. The Book of Exodus is a picture and preview of the ultimate cosmic and eschatological struggle of the last days. The Book of Revelation reveals the seal judgments and the bowl and trumpet judgments that unmask the evil and unredeemable nature of Satan and his

1 followers. However, you don’t need to develop a martyrs complex; you just need to know these facts about the end times.

In this chapter we also see how the children of Israel spoiled the Egyptians. Some people are very puzzled by it. But Proverbs 13:22 says, “the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Why did the children of Israel ask of the Egyptians and why did they give them all of that wealth as they left?  It has been argued that the spoiling compensated for the legitimate wages Israel had been deprived of as slaves.  It has also been suggested that the Egyptians were not compelled, but of their own free will gave their riches to the children of Israel as they left.  Josephus suggested that some gave gifts to speed Israel’s departure while others gave them out of affection and neighborly feelings towards them.  Probably, some just wanted to get them out as fast as possible and they were willing to give them whatever gold and silver they had just to get them to go.  Augustine argued that Egypt had not made good use of their treasures and since it was better for them to be used in the service of the truth, God worked it out sot that the children of Israel obtained the treasures of Egypt.  Others interpret it as evidence that God forced Egypt to send Israel free with compensation which the Mosaic Law would demand. Egypt was just paying back wages for the years of slavery.  Still others say that the borrowed jewelry was needed for the festive dancing at the feast Israel would hold to their God.  And finally, someone has suggested that it was God’s way of providing the needed materials for the tabernacle and its furniture.

Obviously, a lot of explanations have been offered for why Israel asked the Egyptians for their silver and gold. You can pick whatever reason you like the best, the point is they got the jewels! According to the text, they simply asked, they didn’t force the Egyptians to give.

Verse 4, “Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.' And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. But the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may

2 be multiplied in the land of Egypt." So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.” (Exo 11:4-10)

Moses now knows that the Pharaoh thoroughly and completely rejects God. Pharaoh has made up his mind he will not yield to Yahweh no matter what the cost! His arrogance and pride are amazing. He would rather lose everything than have to admit that Yahweh is the supreme ruler and that he must submit to Him.

What a great contrast to the humble and submissive heart of Moses.

I. A True Believer Grows in Faith

Here we get a clear picture of pride vs. humility in the demise of Pharaoh and the growth of Moses.

When God appeared to Moses in the land of Midian, he was a wobbling, fainthearted and unwilling servant. Moses had all kinds of reasons why he should not be the one to lead the children of Israel out of bondage. But now, he has grown from a weak, wavering shepherd into a determined moral steelness of character and a very formidable ambassador in the presence of the Pharaoh of Egypt. He is able to stand in the presence of Pharaoh, the greatest man on the earth militarily and politically.

Moses takes on the Pharaoh of Egypt, the most powerful political and military leader on earth, and boldly speaks to him face to face, challenging him with the words of God. It's evident, however, that Pharaoh has no intention of listening to God, but Moses is definitely growing in confidence and faith in God. This tenth plague is going to be too much even for Pharaoh.

In preparation for the Exodus verse 2 God tells Moses, “Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians.”

This is not the first time that this is mentioned. Back in chapter 3, verse 21, in the original call at the burning bush, God said, So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians." (Exo 3:20-22)

So the Egyptians were glad to see the last of them.

3 II. Godly People Are Different From Worldly People

Chapter 12, verse 33 says, And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." (Exo 12:33) In verse 7 we find God’s reason for it, “But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.' (Exo 11:7)

Question: Were the Egyptians and the Israelites both sinners? Of course they were! In justice God could have condemned both Israel and Egypt for their sinfulness. The only difference is that Israel cried out to God for help and deliverance; and out of His marvelous grace, God chose Israel to be a people who would make a difference.

Why did God choose Israel over Egypt? Well, of course God had promised Abraham that he would watch over them. But Israel cried out to God. They wanted deliverance and salvation! And that is the difference. We are all sinners. But God saves those who cry out to him for deliverance. When this same group of people lost their faith in God to save them from the giants in the Promised Land, God let them all perish in the wilderness.

Question: Is God required to do good to Israel? Is God required to do good to anyone? Is He? No, he is not! (I’m sure some of you are thinking that God is required to keep his Word and keep his promises.)

But the New Testament truth is, No He is not! If God is required to keep His promises, than His promises are greater than He is. (That sounds like heresy, pastor! Are you sure about that?) Listen, God keeps his promises because He is God! It is His nature and essential goodness that cause Him to keep his promises. He is not required to do it, but He does it because of who He is! God’s promises are reliable because of who He is not because of what the promise says. It is a subtle but essential distinction. It is astonishing that God does good to anyone. He justifiably could condemn us all, but out of his marvelous, loving and gracious heart, he has chosen to save us.

What is it that makes Israel so special? The answer is simple: God loves and chose Israel. That's all. That's the source of it. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8 says this about Israel, “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of

4 Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deu 7:6-8) That's the reason; Divine, sovereign, amazing grace.

God didn’t have to choose any nation, but he did and he chose Israel. And he didn’t stop with the choice of Israel; He included Gentiles too. As a follower of Christ you have been adopted into God’s family. I Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1Pe 2:9)

III. Prophetic Judgment Is Indiscriminate.

In verse 4 God says, 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again.” (Exo 11:4-6) From the most insignificant person to the greatest person; they shall all suffer! - Even the firstborn of the animals.

Moses does not tell us what kind of judgment produces this death. The Bible simply leaves it in God’s hands. The means that he used is a mystery. We do know the effect is devastating.

Chapter 12 is further commentary on Chapter 11. In verse 28 of Chapter 10 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!" So Moses said, "You have spoken well. I will never see your face again." (Exo 10:28-29) Chapter 12 fills in the details of Moses and Pharaoh’s final conversation.

Question: Was God just in taking the life of Pharaoh’s son? Was God just in taking the life of David’s son when he sinned with Bathsheba? Was God unjust to take the lives of the firstborn of the families when it was really Pharaoh and the leaders who had done wrong? What sin did the animals commit?

If we argue against the Word of God with human reasoning, there is no possible way we can understand the Holy Scriptures. God’s wisdom and God’s ways are above ours and there are some things we just can’t figure out completely. Does that bother you? It bothers me sometimes! I wish I knew and understood more! But the truth is, no matter how much you know and understand you will never know what God knows.

Why the children should be singled out and why the firstborn of the animals should be singled out it doesn’t say? In the end, it all comes down to what you believe about God. Do you believe God is right and just? And, do you trust Him? If you must understand everything about God in order to believe in Him, then you are going to be one very frustrated individual. Why? -

5 Because our relationship with God is built upon trust. Our world is falling apart today because in order for relationships to endure they must be built upon trust and people no longer trust each other. Trust is almost non- existent for many people in our culture.

Moses has become a great spiritual leader because he has learned to trust God. In Verse 8 Moses tells Pharaoh, “All your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. Moses says, “You are not only going to be glad that we leave but you are going to even try to get us out.”

Moses has come a long way since Chapter 5 when he said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all." (Exo 5:22-23) His confidence and faith have grown to the point where he actually turns his back to the Pharaoh goes out from Pharaoh in great anger. And God reminds Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt." So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land. (Exo 11:9-10)

Hebrews 3:2 says, “Moses was faithful in all His house.” (Heb 3:2) In those earlier days, Moses wasn’t sure he could say anything. But now, we see even Moses talking to Pharaoh. He’s gotten his boldness and courage back. There’s a different kind of Moses beginning to emerge.

Moses has developed an unquestioning obedience to God. The Lord speaks to him and Moses obeys. The hesitancy has vanished. Seven times he has been before Pharaoh. Seven times Pharaoh has refused to do what God requires of him.

Moses has become like a god; and even greater than the gods of Egypt. He is resolute and unyielding. He boldly goes back to Pharaoh again and again to announce the next step in God’s plan.

The Bible makes is clear that to know and love God is to obey him. That seems to be a lost teaching in Evangelical Christianity today. We talk a lot about the Lord, but how many of us really obey him. Does your life please God? Do you obey what God teaches you in the Bible? The Bible says that the one who knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it is sinning. Are you sinning against God? Do you need to change some of your ways?

Notice also the strength of purpose in Moses. He seems to have this unfailing kind of patience. He deals with Pharaoh patiently, even when the Pharaoh is constantly objecting. He even prays to the Lord on Pharaoh’s behalf and asks that some of the signs and judgments be taken away. Do you pray for your enemies?

6 Moses has incredible courage. The faith which fled before the serpent rod has become strong enough now to wield the power of heaven. He lifts his rod to heaven and God’s great judgments fall upon the Land of Egypt. His faith is persevering.

Moses obedience to God has made him unmoved by human opinion. Moses is no longer worried that the children of Israel are upset over the things that are happening to them or that Pharaoh has been tough on them. He stays the course and follows the plan of God. That is characteristic of a growing Christian. What people think of you as a Christian is immaterial to the faith- filled, believing, follower of Christ. Moses will not cave in or bow to the demands of Pharaoh.

Conclusion

In these last days, every believer needs to have a strong faith in God. The days of tribulation are right around the corner. In the Book of Revelation John saw the great bondage of sin and evil in the world and the battle of Satan against God and challenge for the rule over his chosen people, Israel. That's why what is happening in the Middle East is so significant today. Satan hates Israel and wants to destroy her.

The good news is that God will save his people because he puts a difference between the children of Israel and the Egyptians and he also puts a difference between you and the world. And one day, we will praise him for the fullness of the salvation He has given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But why should we wait until then? Why not praise him now for what he is going to do. Thank God every day for His grace and your eternal salvation. Grow in your faith and let the confidence and strength of God fill your heart as you read and learn His Word. Become an obedient follower of Christ and fulfill God’s plan for your life.

If you’ve never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, invite Him to come into your life and free you from the bondage of the sin that has enslaved you. Let the power of Christ set you free to experience the promises of God each day of your life.

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