“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.”
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In the previous chapters, God had sent nine plagues upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. However, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he refused to release them. In Exodus 11:1, God speaks to Moses, informing him that one final plague will be brought upon Pharaoh and Egypt.
God’s Sovereignty:This verse highlights God’s sovereignty and control over the events unfolding in Egypt. Despite Pharaoh’s resistance, God declares that He will bring one more plague upon the land. This demonstrates that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail, and no human ruler or power can thwart His plans.
God’s Patience and Warning:The preceding plagues were a demonstration of God’s power and a call for Pharaoh to repent and release the Israelites. However, Pharaoh continued to resist, and thus, God declares that one more devastating plague will befall Egypt. This indicates God’s patience and willingness to give Pharaoh numerous opportunities to change his mind and avoid further destruction.
The Final Plague:The final plague mentioned here is the plague of the firstborn, where God would strike down every firstborn in Egypt, both humans and animals (Exodus 11:4-5). This final act of judgment would be the most severe and would ultimately lead to Pharaoh releasing the Israelites.
God’s Faithfulness to His Promises:Despite Pharaoh’s stubbornness, God assures Moses that after this final plague, Pharaoh will let the Israelites go. This reaffirms God’s faithfulness to His promise of delivering the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. It also demonstrates that God is true to His word and will bring about the fulfillment of His plans and purposes.
Lessons for us:From this verse, we can learn several lessons. First, we see the importance of responding to God’s warnings and calls to repentance. Pharaoh’s refusal to heed God’s previous warnings led to increased judgment and suffering. Second, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty and His ability to bring about His purposes despite human resistance. Finally, we can trust in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem challenging or impossible.
Remember to explore the surrounding verses and continue studying the book of Exodus for a more comprehensive understanding of the events and themes presented in this passage.
