Introduction

Pharaoh still refuses to listen despite receiving a dire warning.

Verses
1The LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether.
2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”
3The 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.
4Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
5and 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 mill, and all the firstborn of livestock.
6There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more.
7But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
8All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’ ” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
9The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Questions

1. Why did the Egyptian people so willingly give the Israelites gold and silver?

v 2 and 3 ... let every man ask of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” The LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians.

2.  What did Moses say that the final plague was to be?

v 4 and 5 Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle 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 mill, and all the firstborn of livestock.

3. How would the experience of the Israelites contrast with that of the Egyptians who were suffering, and why?

v 7 But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.

Summary Points

  • v 1 God tells Moses there will be one final plague which will make Pharaoh let them go
  • v 2 and 3 God commands Moses to tell the people to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold jewellery
  • v 4 to 8 Moses tells Pharaoh that the final plague will kill all the firstborn Egyptians in the land of Egypt, but that not one Israelite will be affected. After this Pharaoh's servants will tell them to go. Moses leaves Pharaoh in hot anger

  • v 9 and 10 God tells Moses that Pharaoh will still refuse to listen, so that the Egyptians will see yet another wonder from the LORD

    Timeline 1500 BC

     

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