Posted on by Abe Austin · 1 Comment

Scriptural Analysis- Exodus 11:1

1 And 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.

There was one more plague for Egypt, and this one followed a different pattern than any that came before. First, as discussed before, Pharaoh and his people would be given no warning of it, and no ultimatum to avoid it. It would fall on them without Moses and Aaron prophesying of it, yet they would know that it had come from the Lord, just the same.

And, because of this curse, Pharaoh would “thrust [Israel] out.” Every time before, Moses had gone to see if Pharaoh would let them leave, but this time Pharaoh would go to Moses. Pharaoh wouldn’t need any convincing, this time he would outright demand that the Lord’s demands be fulfilled, down to the smallest detail.

Another difference that we will see with this plague is that Moses does not raise his staff or his hand or do anything else to signal its arrival. This one comes entirely from the unseen world, a curse that is prepared, triggered, and executed by God alone.

In short, yet another plague, seemingly just a continuation of all that came before, but already this one was being set apart from all the rest. Something familiar, yet totally new.

Posted on by Abe Austin

Scriptural Analysis- Exodus 10:27-29

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

At the start of this conversation Pharaoh had seemed quiet and subdued, but his follow-up in today’s verses makes me wonder if that quietness had actually been stifled rage. As soon as Moses reiterates his demands, that all of the Israelites must leave with all of their animals, Pharaoh drops all pretense of compliance and compromise. He gives a vicious threat: “Get thee from me…in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die!” Moses was now banished from the Pharaoh’s court on pain of death!

But Moses was not alarmed. Instead he approved Pharaoh’s words, foretelling that the two men would indeed no longer look one another in the face. There was only one curse yet to come upon Egypt, and this time Moses would not forewarn Pharaoh of its coming nor repeat God’s demands to Pharaoh. Pharaoh already knew everything he needed to know. There was nothing more to be understood, promised, or threatened. All that remained was for the breaking to occur.