Exodus 10:26

Our cattell also shall goe with vs: there shall not an hoofe bee left behind: for thereof must we take to serue the Lord our God: and we knowe not with what wee must serue the Lord, vntill we come thither. Exodus 10:26 (KJV)

Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.

Exodus 10:26 is part of the narrative of the Exodus, which tells the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. In this passage, Pharaoh offers to let the Israelites go but insists they leave their livestock behind. Moses responds by insisting that all their cattle must accompany them for worship.

Complete Obedience – The verse begins with Moses stating, “Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind.” This statement reflects the Israelites’ commitment to follow God’s instructions precisely, as they understood that all their possessions were necessary for worship. It demonstrates their willingness to fully surrender to God’s commands without compromise.

Serving the Lord – The latter part of the verse states, “for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.” Here, Moses explains that the livestock are required for sacrifices and worship according to God’s commands. The Israelites acknowledged they did not yet know the specific details of how they would worship until they arrived at their destination, showing their trust in God’s guidance during the journey.

Application to Our Lives:

Obedience and Surrender – The Israelites’ commitment to bringing all their livestock inspires us to examine our own lives. Are we holding back anything from God? Are we fully surrendered to His will? Like the Israelites, we should strive for complete obedience and surrender, allowing God full control over every aspect of our lives.

Trust in God’s Guidance – The Israelites’ reliance on God’s direction teaches us to trust Him even when we lack full understanding. Often, God reveals His plans step by step, and our role is to follow His guidance faithfully. We should seek His direction through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

Worship and Service – The Israelites’ intention to serve the Lord through offerings reminds us of the importance of worship and service in our relationship with God. Worship expresses love and gratitude to Him, while service involves using our resources and gifts to honor Him. We should offer our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) in sincere worship and devoted service.

In conclusion, Exodus 10:26 highlights the Israelites’ commitment to following God’s instructions and trusting His guidance as they prepared to leave Egypt. It encourages us to examine our obedience, trust in His leading, and prioritize worship and service in our relationship with Him.