“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”
This verse is part of the narrative of the tenth and final plague that God inflicted upon Egypt in order to secure the release of the Israelites from their bondage. Let’s delve into the context and significance of this verse.
The Setting:The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for many years, and Moses, acting as God’s messenger, had confronted Pharaoh numerous times, demanding the liberation of the Israelites. Pharaoh, however, had repeatedly hardened his heart and refused to let them go. As a result, God brought a series of plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
The Tenth Plague:The tenth and most devastating plague was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and eat the roasted lamb along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The blood on the doorposts served as a sign for the Lord to “pass over” their homes and spare their firstborn. However, in every Egyptian household, the firstborn was struck dead.
Pharaoh’s Response:Exodus 12:30 describes the reaction of Pharaoh and the Egyptians after the plague struck. Pharaoh, along with his servants and all the Egyptians, woke up to a great cry throughout the land of Egypt. The verse emphasizes that there was not a house where there was not one dead. This means that the impact of the plague was felt by every family in Egypt, regardless of social standing or wealth.
Symbolism and Significance:The tenth plague served as a culmination of God’s judgment upon Egypt and Pharaoh’s stubbornness. It was a powerful demonstration of God’s sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people. The sparing of the Israelites’ firstborn through the blood of the lamb foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood provides salvation and redemption from sin.
Liberation of the Israelites:The devastating impact of the tenth plague finally broke Pharaoh’s resistance, and he summoned Moses and Aaron, urging them to take the Israelites and depart from Egypt. This event marked the beginning of the Exodus, as the Israelites were finally freed from their enslavement and set on a journey toward the Promised Land.
In summary, Exodus 12:30 recounts the aftermath of the tenth plague, highlighting the profound impact it had on Pharaoh, his servants, and all the Egyptians. It serves as a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites’ liberation and reveals God’s judgment, power, and faithfulness to His chosen people.
