Exodus 10:9

And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we [must hold] a feast unto the LORD.

And Moses {H4872} said {H559}, We will go {H3212} with our young {H5288} and with our old {H2205}, with our sons {H1121} and with our daughters {H1323}, with our flocks {H6629} and with our herds {H1241} will we go {H3212}; for we must hold a feast {H2282} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Moshe answered, "We will go with our young and our old, our sons and our daughters; and we will go with our flocks and herds; for we must celebrate a feast to ADONAI."

โ€œWe will go with our young and old,โ€ Moses replied. โ€œWe will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.โ€

And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old; with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 10:9

Exodus 10:9 is a pivotal moment in the ongoing confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, occurring amidst the devastating plagues God sent upon Egypt. After the plague of locusts was threatened, Pharaoh's servants urged him to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh, ever resistant and with a hardened heart, attempted to compromise, suggesting that only the men could leave to worship. In this verse, Moses delivers God's non-negotiable demand, firmly rejecting Pharaoh's partial offer and insisting on the complete and unconditional release of the entire Israelite nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Total Liberation for Worship: Moses' declaration emphasizes that God's demand for worship is absolute and cannot be compromised. The "feast unto the LORD" requires the participation of every individual and the use of all necessary resources. God's call for His people is for full freedom, not a limited concession.
  • Generational Faith and Inclusivity: The phrase "our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters" highlights the generational aspect of faith and worship. It underscores that God's covenant and commands extend to all ages within the community, ensuring the continuity of their spiritual heritage and commitment to the Lord.
  • Resources Essential for True Worship: The inclusion of "our flocks and with our herds" is crucial. These animals were vital for sacrifices and offerings, which were central to Israelite worship. Moses' insistence on taking them all, reinforced later in Exodus 10:26 ("not a hoof shall be left behind"), demonstrates that worship cannot be truly offered without the necessary means and a complete commitment of one's possessions.
  • Unwavering Obedience to Divine Command: Moses' steadfast refusal to yield to Pharaoh's negotiation reflects the unwavering nature of God's command. There was no room for bargaining when it came to fulfilling the Lord's will for His people to worship Him freely.

Linguistic Insights

The word "feast" in "we must hold a feast unto the LORD" comes from the Hebrew word chag (ื—ึทื’). This term typically refers to a pilgrimage festival, a solemn assembly or religious festival that often involved a journey to a sacred place and the offering of sacrifices. It implies a communal celebration of worship and remembrance, underscoring the deep spiritual significance and the collective nature of the Israelites' intended departure.

Practical Application

Exodus 10:9 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • No Compromise in Core Faith: Just as Moses refused to compromise on Israel's freedom to worship, believers are called to stand firm on foundational truths and commitments to God, resisting pressures to dilute or compartmentalize their faith.
  • Holistic Worship: True worship involves our whole beingโ€”our families, our resources, and our time. It's not just a part of our lives but encompasses all aspects, requiring our full dedication.
  • Passing on the Faith: The emphasis on "young and old" reminds us of the vital importance of teaching and modeling faith for future generations, ensuring that the legacy of worship and obedience continues. This verse highlights the intergenerational responsibility of faith, echoing the call to teach God's commands diligently to our children.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7 (5 votes)

    ยถ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 (5 votes)

    Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

  • Exodus 5:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

  • Deuteronomy 31:12 (4 votes)

    Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

  • Deuteronomy 31:13 (4 votes)

    And [that] their children, which have not known [any thing], may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

  • Exodus 3:18 (4 votes)

    And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

  • Genesis 50:8 (3 votes)

    And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.