Read Exodus 12:29–36
Questions from the Scripture text: What time is it in Exodus 12:29? What does Yahweh do? How does verse 29 describe the breadth and completeness of this? What does Pharaoh do (Exodus 12:30)? Who else? What do they produce? Why is the cry so great? To whom does Pharaoh call (Exodus 12:31)? What does he tell them to do? What does he tell them to take (Exodus 12:32)? Whom does he ask them to bless? Who urged whom to do what (Exodus 12:33)? Why? What did the Israelites have to do in response (Exodus 12:34)? And what had they previously done (Exodus 12:35)? What had Yahweh given the people (Exodus 12:36)? And what had the Egyptians done? With what end result?
As the great cry arises in Egypt, the children of Israel come forth from blood-covered doors, keenly aware that they themselves deserve what has come upon the Egyptians. So, there is an amazing grace of mercy behind the amazing grace of power that is displayed here. In that power, the Lord uses Pharaoh and the Egyptians to send and supply the Israelites into the wilderness.
Still in darkness (cf. Exodus 10:39), Pharaoh insists that Moses, Aaron, all Israel, and even their flocks and herds go “as you have said” (Exodus 12:31-32). He isn’t trying to negotiate terms anymore. He’s just trying to get rid of them. The “bless me also” at the end of Exodus 12:32 ends Pharaoh’s interviews on a pathetic note, as the red-eyed, hoarse-throated potentate urges them to go at an hour in which he would be invariably in bed (Exodus 12:30a, Exodus 12:31a).
He’s been reduced to pleader-to-leave-in-chief, just as the Lord promised (cf. Exodus 6:1). The rest of the Egyptians are following their king. They are urgent to speed the Israelites along because, as they say at the end of Exodus 12:33, “we are all dying.” There’s no time for the daily bread to rise; hence, the unleavened bread that the feast by that name commemorates.
The Egyptians are also the Israelites’ suppliers. Exodus 12:35-36 have already taken place but are mentioned here as a final resounding note of God’s goodness to His people. They who deserved the same death that has visited every Egyptian household (Exodus 12:30b) are leaving Egypt not merely having been spared but enriched beyond their wildest imaginations. Not only extra clothing, which they would surely need in the way, but even the silver and gold—the wealth of Egypt.
The main theme is pretty plain: the earth, and all that is in it, and all who dwell in it… it all belongs to the Lord, and He has devoted it all to the good of His people. He is able to entirely reverse the efforts of our staunchest enemies. And if it should ever serve our good and His glory, He will do just that—because of the grace in which He has wiped out our guilt, and the electing love in which it pleased Him to do so.
What difficult situation do you need reminding that the Lord could completely reverse? Why hasn’t He?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are King over all kings, and there is no other god besides You. Truly, we deserved Your wrath, but You have loved us and atoned for us by the blood of the Lamb. Forgive us for when we forget that this grace of unfathomable mercy is joined to Your infinite power. How needlessly (and sinfully!) we fret and worry, when it is certain that You will suddenly and decisively overthrow the desires and efforts of all of our enemies. Grant unto us increased faith, so that we might adore Your glories in every circumstance, we ask through Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP23B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH231 “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right”
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