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Commentary on Exodus 11 verses 1–3
Here is, I. The high favour Moses and Israel were in with God. 1. Moses was a favourite of Heaven, for God will not hide from him the thing he will do. God not only makes him his messenger to deliver his errands, but communicates to him his purpose (as the man of his counsel) that he would bring one plague more, and but one, upon Pharaoh, by which he would complete the deliverance of Israel, Exo 11:1. Moses longed to see an end of this dreadful work, to see Egypt no more plagued and Israel no more oppressed: "Well," says God, "now it is near an end; the warfare shall shortly be accomplished, the point gained; Pharaoh shall be forced to own himself conquered, and to give up the cause." After all the rest of the plagues, God says, I will bring one more. Thus, after all the judgments executed upon sinners in this world, still there is one more reserved to be brought on them in the other world, which will completely humble those whom nothing else would humble. 2. The Israelites were favourites of Heaven; for God himself espouses their injured cause, and takes care to see them paid for all their pains in serving the Egyptians. This was the last day of their servitude; they were about to go away, and their masters, who had abused them in their work, would not have defrauded them of their wages, and have sent them away empty; while the poor Israelites were so fond of liberty that they would be satisfied with that, without pay, and would rejoice to get that upon any terms: but he that executeth righteousness and judgment for the oppressed provided that the labourers should not lose their hire, and ordered them to demand it now at their departure (Exo 11:2), in jewels of silver and jewels of gold, to prepare for which God, by the plagues, had now made the Egyptians as willing to part with them upon any terms as, before, the Egyptians, by their severities, had made them willing to go upon any terms. Though the patient Israelites were content to lose their wages, yet God would not let them go without them. Note, One way or other, God will give redress to the injured, who in a humble silence commit their cause to him; and he will see to it that none be losers at last by their patient suffering any more than by their services.
II. The high favour Moses and Israel were in with the Egyptians, Exo 11:3. 1. Even the people that has been hated and despised now came to be respected; the wonders wrought on their behalf put an honour upon them and made them considerable. How great do they become for whom God thus fights! Thus the Lord gave them favour in the sight of the Egyptians, by making it appear how much he favoured them: he also changed the spirit of the Egyptians towards them, and made them to be pitied of their oppressors, Psa 106:46. 2. The man Moses was very great. How could it be otherwise when they saw what power he was clothed with, and what wonders were wrought by his hand? Thus the apostles, though otherwise despicable men, came to be magnified, Act 5:13. Those that honour God he will honour; and with respect to those that approve themselves faithful to him, how meanly soever they may pass through this world, there is a day coming when they will look great, very great, in the eyes of all the world, even theirs who now look upon them with the utmost contempt. Observe, Though Pharaoh hated Moses, there were those of Pharaoh's servants that respected him. Thus in Caesar's household, even Nero's, there were some that had an esteem for blessed Paul, Phi 1:13.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 11:1 serves as a divine declaration of the climactic tenth plague, signaling the imminent and forceful expulsion of the Israelites from Egypt. This pivotal verse reveals the LORD's unwavering sovereignty, demonstrating His absolute power to overcome Pharaoh's hardened defiance and fulfill His ancient covenant promises, thereby establishing His supremacy over all earthly and spiritual opposition.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 11:1 is a direct and authoritative divine declaration, underscoring God's absolute control over the unfolding drama of the Exodus and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful Literary Devices. Foreshadowing is prominent, as the verse explicitly announces the climactic tenth plague and the dramatic, forced departure of Israel, building immense narrative tension and anticipation. The authoritative, declarative tone ("I will bring," "he will let," "he shall surely thrust") exemplifies Divine Pronouncement, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His meticulously planned actions. Furthermore, the repeated idea of "letting go" and especially "thrusting out," amplified by the Hebrew infinitive absolute, demonstrates Emphasis through Repetition. This rhetorical device powerfully highlights the complete reversal of Pharaoh's obstinate stance and the overwhelming, irresistible nature of God's final judgment, which compels the very one who refused to release Israel to actively expel them.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 11:1 offers profound theological insights into the character of God and the nature of His redemptive plan. It unequivocally underscores the divine sovereignty of the LORD, demonstrating that no human ruler, no earthly power, and no amount of stubborn defiance can ultimately thwart His will or derail His purposes. Despite Pharaoh's persistent hardening of heart and his formidable power, God's plan for Israel's deliverance remains on course, culminating in a decisive act of judgment that reveals His absolute control over history and nations. This passage also highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was a direct fulfillment of God's ancient pledge to Abraham that his descendants would be afflicted but then emerge from bondage with great possessions, a promise recorded in Genesis 15:13-14. Finally, it powerfully reveals God's justice and power in confronting evil, tyranny, and idolatry. The plagues are not arbitrary acts but righteous judgments against Pharaoh's oppression and the systemic idolatry of Egypt, demonstrating that the LORD is the one true God who triumphs over all false deities and human rebellion.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 11:1 provides enduring lessons for believers today, reminding us of the profound truths about God's character and our response to Him. First, it powerfully affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Just as He was absolutely committed to delivering Israel despite immense opposition and delay, we can trust that He remains faithful to His word in our lives. Even when circumstances seem bleak, opposition appears insurmountable, or answers are delayed, God is sovereignly at work, orchestrating His purposes according to His perfect timing. Second, Pharaoh's story serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the futility and severe consequences of resisting God's clear will. While God is patient and long-suffering, His ultimate judgment is certain for those who stubbornly refuse to humble themselves and obey Him. This should prompt us to examine our own hearts for areas of resistance or defiance. Finally, for the Israelites, this divine pronouncement would have been a beacon of hope in their long and bitter oppression. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, when we feel trapped or overwhelmed, God is sovereignly at work, preparing a way for our deliverance and the fulfillment of His purposes. We are called to trust His timing and His methods, knowing that His ultimate victory is assured, and that He will bring about His perfect will, even if it requires severe circumstances to break the chains of oppression.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God need so many plagues? Couldn't He just deliver Israel immediately?
Answer: God's purpose in the plagues extended far beyond mere immediate deliverance. The series of plagues served multiple, interconnected functions: to systematically demonstrate His absolute supremacy over all Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself, thereby dismantling the entire pagan worldview; to establish His name and power among the Egyptians, the Israelites, and all nations for generations to come (Exodus 9:16); and to harden Pharaoh's heart further, providing a greater stage for God's glory and power to be displayed in a climactic victory. Each plague was a profound theological statement, progressively proving that YHWH alone is sovereign, and that He is the only true God.
Does "thrust you out" imply God forced Pharaoh against his will?
Answer: Pharaoh retained his free will throughout the narrative, making conscious choices to resist God. However, God's escalating judgments created such overwhelming and desperate circumstances that Pharaoh's only rational choice, driven by fear and self-preservation, was to expel Israel. God did not override Pharaoh's will in a mechanistic way, but rather brought such immense pressure to bear that Pharaoh's own choices led him to command the Israelites' departure. It was a forced eviction driven by Pharaoh's terror and desperation, not a willing or gracious release, ultimately demonstrating God's sovereign control over even the will of His enemies.
Is this a just act of God, given the severity of the plagues?
Answer: Yes, the plagues, including the final one, represent God's righteous judgment. In light of Pharaoh's prolonged and brutal enslavement of Israel, his repeated defiance of God's commands, and the systemic idolatry of Egypt, these acts were just retribution. God had given Pharaoh multiple opportunities to repent and release His people, demonstrating His patience. The severity of the final plague, targeting the firstborn, was a direct and proportional consequence of Pharaoh's refusal to let God's "firstborn" son, Israel, go free (Exodus 4:22-23). It was a just and necessary act to liberate His people and demonstrate His holiness and power over all injustice and rebellion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 11:1, by announcing the final, decisive blow against Egypt that would lead to Israel's forced liberation, stands as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate work of salvation. The entire Exodus narrative is the foundational Old Testament type of redemption, and Jesus Christ is the ultimate Deliverer. Pharaoh's stubborn resistance and eventual, humiliating defeat at the hand of God prefigure the comprehensive defeat of sin, death, and Satan accomplished through Jesus Christ's life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. Just as God brought a final "plague" to break Pharaoh's power and compel Israel's release, so too did Christ, through His crucifixion, absorb the ultimate divine judgment for humanity's sin, thereby breaking the power of sin and death over all who believe in Him. The "thrusting out" of Israel from the spiritual and physical bondage of Egypt parallels the believer's liberation from the spiritual slavery of sin and the dominion of the world, a freedom secured not by human effort or negotiation, but by God's mighty hand through Christ. The Passover, which immediately follows this declaration and is central to Israel's deliverance, finds its full and perfect fulfillment in Christ, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), whose shed blood secures true and eternal freedom for all who trust in Him, as proclaimed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:7. This ultimate deliverance is the greater Exodus, leading us not to a promised land on earth, but to eternal life and communion with God, as seen in the broader redemptive narrative of the New Testament, culminating in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).