Day 361: Exodus 11- Sovereign Grace

The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.
 
Meditation
God is sovereign over judgment and salvation. Grace invites us to put our faith in the Lord, trusting Him alone for salvation from judgment.
 
God’s sovereign grace governs every detail of the tenth plague:
 
A-God calls His shot, announcing victory beforehand (1). The Lord specifies the fate He had already foretold (3:19).  The specifics outlined in 11:1-11 match the prediction of 7:3-4. The Lord is sovereign in judgment.
 
B-God takes this one on His own. Throughout the plagues God has used Moses’ staff as a vehicle and Moses and Aaron as mediators. This time the Lord will “go into the midst of Egypt Himself” (4).
 
C-God reverses reality for those who trust in His provision of salvation. As Israel cried to the Lord for freedom from slavery (3:7), those who do not put their faith in God’s provision for salvation will cry out in agony (5-6). God makes a distinction between His people and those who reject His word of salvation (7). The Lord is sovereign in salvation.
 
God reinforces His rule over the people and powers of the earth. God grants favor for Israel to plunder the Egyptians on their way out (3). God “multiplies His wonders” through the Exodus and hardening Pharaoh’s heart (9-10).
 
The power of God’s sovereign grace is available through Jesus Christ, redemption for all who trust His word of salvation. Judgment came on the cross, forgiveness for all who trust in Jesus. In Christ we have salvation!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you comfortable with the revelation that God is totally in charge of salvation and judgment? Why or why not?
 
-How does the revelation of God’s sovereignty in judgment fuel personal urgency to make sure your heart is right with the Lord AND the hearts of those whom you love?
 
-Take a few moments to PRAISE the Lord for salvation from His wrath and just judgment through Jesus Christ.
 
Key Verse
6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’