Exodus 11 takes us to the final chapter of the growing conflict between God and Pharaoh, setting the stage for the last and most devastating plague to strike Egypt. It’s a moment in the story where God’s patience with Pharaoh reaches its limit, and the time for judgment is at hand. But this chapter is also full of messages that speak to us about divine justice, mercy, and the consequences of ignoring God’s call.
The chapter begins with God telling Moses that there is one final plague to come, one that will break Pharaoh’s stubborn heart once and for all. God speaks of the death of every firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh’s family to the firstborn of the livestock. This devastating plague is going to affect everyone in Egypt, and it will be a judgment so severe that it will force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go once and for all. We are reminded that God’s justice is not arbitrary, but is the culmination of repeated chances for Pharaoh to repent and obey God’s command. Each plague has been an opportunity for Pharaoh to soften his heart, and yet, he has continually hardened it. In our own lives, this chapter challenges us to think about how many opportunities we’ve had to turn toward God and whether we’ve been ignoring His calls to change.
But God’s justice is not without mercy. As He announces the coming plague, He gives the Israelites specific instructions on how to protect themselves. God tells Moses that the Israelites are to take a lamb, slaughter it, and use its blood to mark the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This marking of the doors with blood will serve as a sign for the Lord to pass over their houses and not strike down their firstborns. This act, later known as the Passover, becomes a powerful symbol of God’s deliverance, a symbol that will be remembered by the Israelites for generations to come. For us, this is a reminder that while God’s judgment is sure, His grace and protection are also available to those who obey His commands. The Israelites are saved, not because of their righteousness, but because of their obedience to God’s instructions. In our lives, we, too, find salvation not through our own works but through obedience to God’s Word and the sacrifice of Jesus, who is our Passover Lamb.
As Moses shares this word with the elders of Israel, he also delivers a warning that this night will be unlike any other. It will be a night of great mourning throughout Egypt, as families lose their firstborns. The sorrow will be so profound that there will be no household untouched. And yet, in the midst of this grief, there will be a distinction between Egypt and Israel. God promises to protect His people, and no one among the Israelites will die. This act of grace and protection shows us that even when God’s judgment is being carried out, His people are not abandoned. We can take comfort in knowing that, as believers in Christ, we are marked by His blood, and He promises to protect and deliver us from ultimate harm.
Moses delivers this message to Pharaoh, and it is clear that Pharaoh’s heart is as hardened as ever. He rejects the message and refuses to let the Israelites go. In this moment, we see the culmination of all the plagues—Pharaoh’s resistance has led to this inevitable consequence. For us, it’s a stark reminder of the danger of ignoring God’s will. Pharaoh’s story is a warning that when we repeatedly reject God’s grace, we move further away from the possibility of repentance and forgiveness. The consequences of our choices are real and can have far-reaching effects, not only on us but on those around us.
In the final part of the chapter, Moses issues a last message to the Israelites. They are instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry, which they will take with them when they leave Egypt. This request is not simply a matter of material wealth; it is part of God’s plan to fulfill the promise He made to Abraham—that his descendants would leave their time of slavery with great wealth. The Israelites’ departure from Egypt, while full of grief and judgment, also marks the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise. This moment speaks to us of the faithfulness of God. Even when things seem dark and uncertain, God is working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes in our lives. When we trust Him, even in the most difficult times, we can rest in the assurance that He is working for our good and His glory.
Exodus 11 is a chapter that emphasizes both the severity of God’s judgment and the extent of His mercy. The death of the firstborn, the most devastating of all the plagues, is a direct consequence of Pharaoh’s refusal to obey God’s command to let the Israelites go. And yet, in the midst of this judgment, God provides a way of escape for His people—through the blood of the lamb. This becomes a powerful symbol of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make for us, shedding His blood so that we, too, can be saved from death and eternal separation from God.
As we reflect on this chapter, we are invited to consider how we respond to God’s calls in our own lives. Are we quick to obey, or do we resist until God’s judgment is inevitable? Pharaoh’s story teaches us that there are consequences to rejecting God, but it also points us toward the hope we have in Jesus, our Passover Lamb. When we trust in His sacrifice and follow His commands, we are protected and delivered from the ultimate consequences of sin.
In the end, Exodus 11 is not just a chapter about judgment; it is a chapter about God’s unwavering faithfulness and His provision for His people. It calls us to trust in His plan, even when we don’t fully understand it, and to recognize that His justice and mercy are two sides of the same coin, both working together to bring about the salvation of His people. Let us learn from the Israelites, who found safety under the blood of the lamb, and from Pharaoh, whose stubbornness led to his undoing. May we choose to walk in obedience, trusting in God’s protection and His perfect timing, knowing that He is always faithful to deliver His people.