Dave Burnette's Commentary

Exodus Chapter 11

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Moses
Date Penned: (1450-1410 BC)
Overview: The Record of God's Deliverance of Israel (c 1-40)
Theme: Israel in Egypt (c 1-12)
Message: The Firstborn will Die (v 1-10)

Exodus 11 Commentary

(11:1-7) God's Chosen People - Moses told Pharaoh that God made a distinction between Egypt and Israel. At this time the distinction was very clear in God's mind: He knew the Hebrews would become his chosen people. The distinction was taking shape in Moses' mind also. But the Hebrews still saw the distinction only in terms of slave and free. Later, when they were in the wilderness, God would teach them the laws, principles, and values that would make them distinct as his people. Remember that God sees us in terms of what we will become and not just what we are right now.

(11:9-10) Pharaoh's Pride is Exposed - You may wonder how Pharaoh could be so foolish as to see God's miraculous power and still not listen to Moses. But Pharaoh had his mind made up long before the plagues began. He couldn't believe that someone was greater than he was. This stubborn unbelief led to a heart so hard that even a major catastrophe couldn't soften it. Finally, it took the greatest of all calamities, the loss of his son, to force him to recognize God's authority. But even then he wanted God to leave, not to rule his country. We must not wait for great calamities to drive us to God but must open our hearts and minds to his direction now.

(11:10) Pharaoh Continues in His Stubbornness - Did God really harden Pharaoh's heart and force him to do wrong? Before the ten plagues began, Moses and Aaron announced what God would do if Pharaoh didn't let the people go. But their message only made Pharaoh stubborn-he was hardening his own heart. In so doing, he defied God and his messengers. Through the first nine plagues, Pharaoh's heart grew even more stubborn. After the ninth plague, God passed judgment. Sooner or later, evil people will be punished for their sins. When it became evident that Pharaoh wouldn't change, God confirmed Pharaoh's prideful decision and set the painful consequences of his actions in motion. God didn't force Pharaoh to reject him; rather, he gave him every opportunity to change his mind. In Ezekiel 33:11, God says, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Surrender or Repentance


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Exodus with Chapter 11 and i n today's text we see the failure of Pharaoh to repent. What catches my eye through all of this suffering is how the Lord was still faithful to continually instruct Pharoah to repent. As we have learned in previous chapters God could have wiped Egypt off the map but God's Grace is on Display. Yet through all the suffering Pharaoh only surrendered. He never experienced forgiveness through repentance. When God comes knocking on your heart's door how will you respond? Remember God knows how to get your attention. Will you Surrender or Repent. Do Not Resist the Lord's Call in Your Life as it might cost you everything you hold dear to your heart. Let us learn from out text today and the life of Pharaoh to Repent and not just Surrender with a Hardened Heart. 

 

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Exodus 11


Exodus 11

 1And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

 2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.

 3And the LORD gave the people favour 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.

 4And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

 5And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

 6And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

 7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

 8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

 9And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

 10And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.