1 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Yet one plague more will I bring 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. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. 3 And the Lord gave the people favor 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. 4 And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle. 6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there hath been none like it, nor shall be like it any more. 7 But 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. 8 And 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 hot anger. 9 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh will not hearken unto you; that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
Golden Text.—“The angel of His presence saved them.” Isa. 63:9.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) After the ninth plague brought upon Egypt, what did the Lord say to Moses? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What was Moses commanded to say to the Israelites? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) How did the Lord help in this matter? How was Moses regarded by the Egyptians? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) At what time did the Lord say He would go out into Egypt? Verse 4. (5) What great calamity would He bring? Verse 5. Note 4. (6) What would be the effect upon the people? Verse 6. (7) What indicates the total exemption of the Israelites? Verse 7. Note 5. (8) What would be the result of this terrible visitation? After delivering this last message to the king, what did Moses do? Verse 8. Note 6. (9) What then did the Lord say to Moses? What would the Lord have done, had Pharaoh hearkened unto Him? Verse 9. Note 7. (10) What was the result of the wonders wrought by Moses and Aaron? Verse 10. Note 8.
NOTES.
1. Nine plagues had preceded this, the last one, darkness for three days, had called forth a promise from Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go, but he afterward refused. Now the Lord will strive no longer with him.
2. It was an ancient custom for masters to give presents to servants going out from their service, as a recognition of their labors. So the Israelites, in asking for presents, were simply asking for that which would be deemed their due according to custom. The word “borrow” in the Common Version is misleading.
3. It is natural for people to deem the instrument great through whom the Lord does anything wonderful. But even Christ gave credit to the Father for the mighty works which He did. John 14:10.
4. That the plagues should have to be increased in severity to such an extent before men would yield to the demand of God, shows a depth of obstinacy almost incomprehensible. No wonder that “Egyptian darkness” became the synonym of total depravity.
5. “Shall not a dog move his tongue” is an expression of the total exemption of Israel from any infliction. And the fact of this exemption of God’s people showed beyond doubt that the plagues were sent by His power. It was a convincing sign to both Egypt and Israel.
6. The hot anger of Moses as he went out from Pharaoh for the last time represented the anger of the15Lord, and that he would not strive with the enemies of His people any longer. That act was a type of the close of probation, when the wrath of God will be poured out without mixture upon the world of wickedness.
7. It was of no use to multiply wonders before a people who would not hearken. The Lord is long-suffering, even beyond all understanding on the part of His creatures, but to the incorrigibly rebellious there comes an end of all overtures when their determined resistance is thoroughly manifested. Had Pharaoh hearkened to the Lord, wonders would have been multiplied in Egypt, but of a far different character from those that were displayed.
8. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart by persisting in opposing his wickedness, and by withdrawing the grieved Spirit. When the wicked will not yield to the appeals of the Holy Spirit, the effect is always hardening to the unrepentant heart. The more stubborn the resistance, the harder becomes the heart. The disposition to favor the Lord’s people is always exasperating to Satan and his agents.
