Exodus 10 ended with Pharaoh angrily demanded Moses out of the palace with a warning: Verse 28 says, “Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die!” He thought that like God, he had the power over death. He failed to realize that the only person that has control over life and death is the Mighty God. In verse 29, we see Moses was as quick in his response to Pharaoh’s warning. His reply to Pharaoh was “You are right; I shall never see your face again!” God’s prophet was so bold because he had been told right at the onset in Exodus 4:23 that Pharaoh had to be compelled to drive the people out. He knew that the firstborn of Egypt from the king to the ordinary peasant, even to the cattle, had to die before Pharaoh would free the people of Israel.
In Exodus 11, we can see that the stage for the final blow had been set. Pharaoh had hardened his heart despite all the previous nine plagues God had sent upon him and the Egyptians. Any person with a clear sense and thinking would have responded appropriately, but not this king. God already knew from the onset that he wouldn’t. That necessitated the final plague - the death of the firstborn. The Egyptians were obsessed with death and the afterlife. They were known as a people who spent much of their finances in preparing for the afterlife. Pyramids are indicators of how pre-occupied they were with what would happen after death. Two of Egypt’s gods largely venerated for these roles were Orisis and Anubis. The former was thought to be sovereign and had great power. The latter was a god who assisted in death and embalming. He had been portrayed with a human body and the head of a dog. That explains the reference to the dog in verse 7 of Exodus 11. Death according to this same verse would have no effect on the Israelites. God made a distinction between Israel and Egypt. This plague was going to prove conclusively who truly had the power over life and death. Moses, His servant, was also greatly esteemed both by the Egyptians and Israelites. As people who serve God, all we need is to be careful to take care of what’s entrusted to us. God will do the vindication and bring honor upon His servants in due time. There is no necessity to brag about what one is doing. If they are from God, the outcome will prove it.
The truth that “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” is affirmed in what happened here. God made the Egyptian neighbors to be at peace with the Israelites that they were willing to part with their articles of gold and silver as their farewell gifts for their journey. Don’t underestimate what God can do for you through the people who may dislike you. In Exodus 11:4-11, Moses made the proclamation to Pharaoh. He painted graphically to Pharaoh the scene that was about to befall Egypt. Yahweh Himself would pass through the land and bring death upon every firstborn of the land from animals to the king. Yes, even the prince of Egypt, the heir to the throne. Pharaoh was told that a wail so shrill and intense, one that was never heard before would be heard throughout Egypt. All these would take place at midnight. The judgment of the plagues only has one message – that God deserves all the glory. In everything we go through, both positive and negative, both congenial and the not so congenial, God is working out His glory. And He truly deserves it!
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