Exodus 11:1-15:21

Exodus 7:5

And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.

GOD INITIATES THE PASSOVER AND LEADS HIS PEOPLE OUT OF BONDAGE (Exodus 11-12)

In these passages, God teaches us about our need for salvation and his provision for salvation through the Lamb. We will see throughout that the Lamb is a type and foreshadows Jesus.

Plague 10: Death comes to the Firstborns

God will bring on one last plague onto Pharaoh and the Egyptians. All the firstborn in Egypt will die, including the firstborn of Pharaoh. Pharaoh, of course, did not heed Moses’ warning. After this plague, Pharaoh will finally let God’s people go and recognize that God is the Lord.

None of the firstborn of Israel will die

Exodus 12:13

The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

To distinguish between God’s people from the rest, God instructed the Israelites to use the blood of a lamb with no blemish to paint the two doorposts and the lintel of the house. God’s judgment on the firstborns will “pass over” all households with the blood of lamb painted this way.

During the Passover, the Israelites were instructed to eat unleavened bread with bitter herbs – the bitterness would remind them of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt.

Immediately after the Passover, the Israelites were instructed to eat with sandals on their feet, so that upon finishing, they can immediately leave. Just like how once we have accepted the blood of Jesus, we should move with haste to leave the bondage of this world.

Jesus is our Passover Lamb

Jesus is the perfect man, making Him the perfect substitute for us, making His blood capable of washing away our sins permanently. The blood of the Lamb was not put on the floor because Jesus' blood was not to be trampled upon. Those who do trample on the blood of the Lamb would do so knowing that the blood was shed for them and yet they still chose to go against God.

Households with the blood but did not apply the blood correctly would not be passed over. Similarly, to receive salvation, it is not enough for us to just acknowledge that Christ shed His blood for us. We need to take His blood and apply it to our lives!

The Passover is for God’s people

Exodus 12:43

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the regulations for the Passover meal: 'No Foreigner may eat it.'"

Exodus 12:48

A foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat it.

Those who do not have a relationship with God are not to partake in Passover. Passover is not to become a meaningless religious ritual. It is to be a solemn remembrance by people who have a relationship with God. Those who want to partake in this family meal, he/she first must make the commitment to join the family (via circumcision of the heart).

Jesus is our First Fruits

Exodus 13:1-2

The LORD said to Moses, "Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal."

God gave us His Son so that we may enjoy eternity in His presence. As we love God, we, too, must give God our first fruits. Why? Whatever we hold the most dear dictates how we live. If we cannot put God as our number one priority, if we start promoting family, friends, money, social status, etc., above God, guess what is going to happen when we are forced to choose between God and any one of those factors? The concept here is not to say family and friends are not important. Of course, they are important – but they cannot be more important than God. Why? We have really only two options. Stand for God and guide others to eternal life. Or, slip in our walk and fall into eternal death. If we cannot stand strong, how will we be the shining light to guide others? It is because family and friends are important that we must therefore be even more vigilant about our walk with God, so that we can shepherd them toward God – instead of being led astray with them!

The Egyptians – including Pharaoh – finally lets the Israelites to go

Exodus 12:31-32

During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."

This last plague was so horrible, Pharaoh finally caved in. It is extremely unfortunate that it took the deaths of so many firstborns to shake loose Pharaoh’s stubborn pride. Pharaoh finally acknowledged God’s sovereignty and even requested Moses and Aaron to bless him before they leave, because he learned the hard way that he did not want to be on the wrong side of God.

GOD LEADS HIS PEOPLE ACROSS THE RED SEA (Exodus 13:17-14:31)

Per his usual behavior, once the crisis was over, Pharaoh changed his mind immediately and went back to his old ways. He sent his army after the Israelites, wanting to force them back into slavery. God, however, had a different plan.

Exodus 14:28

The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

  

Egyptian wheel spokes and chariot components of this time period have been discovered at the bottom of the Red Sea.

Exodus 14:29

The Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Without God, the Israelites would not have successfully been able to leave Egypt. The situation they faced was so impossible to achieve without God that when it was achieved, everyone would dare not boast that he or she did it. There would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was God who rescued them out of bondage.

MOSES PRAISES THE LORD (Exodus 15:1-21)

Immediately after the successful exodus, Moses sang a great song to give thanks and glory to the Lord.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:11

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you -- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Exodus 15:13

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to you holy dwelling.

Exodus 15:18

"The LORD reigns for ever and ever."

God will ultimately restore Israel – But before He does, He will also discipline and judge Israel for their idolatry.

We can see Moses’ faith growing through all this. Up to this point, Moses had gone from having zero confidence to mind-blowing confidence to not just part the Red Sea but leading millions (MILLIONS!) of Israelites across the riverbed through God! Every time we place our faith in God and bear witness to His faithfulness, our faith in God is solidified, allowing us to grow in our confidence in Him!