Exodus Chapter 11 is mainly about the last and most devastating plague that God delivered to Egypt, which was the plague on the firstborn. This was the judgment that God said would cause Pharaoh to let the Hebrew slaves go.

Moses Collects Precious Metals

God told Moses to tell the Israelites to collect, not borrow, silver and gold from their neighbors because He was preparing them for something big. Moses was highly regarded among the officials of the Pharaoh and among the people. God also gave the people of Israel favor in the sight of the Egyptians.

The Judgment of the Firstborn

Moses went to Pharaoh and told him what God had said. He explained to him that at midnight, the last plague would descend upon Egypt, which was that all of the firstborn children would die. This included all of the firstborns from the son of Pharaoh to the firstborn child of the lowest slave. God even said that all the firstborns of the cattle would not be spared.

Moses told Pharaoh that there would be a terrible cry throughout all the land when all the firstborns get taken. He went on to say that the Israelites would be spared by God and all their children would remain safe because they were God’s people.

Pharaoh’s Final Chance

The Lord told Moses that He would harden the heart of Pharaoh so that His wonders may be multiplied. He also said that after the last plague has taken place, all of Pharaoh’s servants would bow down to God, and they would be able to exit the land of Egypt. Moses then left the presence of Pharaoh in anger. Even though Moses and Aaron performed wonders before the Pharaoh’s eyes, the Lord hardened his heart, and he still refused to let the people of Israel go.

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Exodus 11(King James Version)

1 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.

2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

3 And the LORD gave the people favour 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 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

8 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. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.