“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.”
Exodus 11:8 is part of the narrative of the final plague inflicted upon the land of Egypt before the Israelites were freed from their bondage. To understand this verse better, it is essential to provide some context.
In Exodus, the Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for many years. God had sent Moses as His chosen servant to deliver His people from bondage. Throughout the process, God inflicted ten plagues upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and to convince Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, to release the Israelites.
Exodus 11:8 is part of the dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh before the tenth and most devastating plague, the plague of the death of the firstborn. In this conversation, Moses conveys to Pharaoh the impending disaster and the resulting plea of the Egyptians for the Israelites to leave.
The verse states, “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.”
Here, Moses is informing Pharaoh that all the servants of Egypt would come to him, Moses, and humbly bow down before him, pleading with him to let the Israelites go. They would implore him to allow the entire Israelite population to depart from Egypt, bringing an end to their long enslavement.
This verse highlights the increasing desperation of the Egyptian people and their recognition of God’s power manifested through the plagues. Despite Pharaoh’s previous refusals, the pressure of the plagues had intensified to the point where even his servants were willing to plead for the Israelites’ release.
Ultimately, the events described in Exodus 11:8 serve as a precursor to the final plague. After this plague, Pharaoh finally relents, and the Israelites are permitted to leave Egypt, embarking on their journey towards the Promised Land.
This verse demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s plan and His faithfulness in liberating His people from oppression. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of hardened hearts and the potential for change and redemption even in the most dire circumstances.
By studying Exodus 11:8 and the surrounding passages, we gain insight into God’s power, His patience, and His commitment to deliver His people from bondage.
