Exodus 11

Chapter Summary

In Exodus chapter 11, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold, silver, and clothing, which they will give them. God then announces that He will go through Egypt and strike down every firstborn son, from the son of Pharaoh to the son of the lowest slave girl. However, the Israelites will be spared, and God will pass over their houses when He sees the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. The chapter concludes with the Israelites' obedience to God's instructions and their preparation for the Passover. Key verses include Exodus 11:1, Exodus 11:5, and Exodus 11:8, which highlight God's power, justice, and mercy.

Context for the Chapter

Exodus chapter 11 is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The chapter follows God's previous judgments on Egypt, including the plagues of blood, frogs, and gnats, and precedes the Israelites' departure from Egypt. The chapter is also significant in the broader biblical narrative, as it foreshadows Christ's work on the cross and the ultimate deliverance of believers from sin and death. As seen in Exodus 11:1, God's instructions to Moses are a crucial part of this narrative, highlighting God's power and authority over Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Heart Application

The chapter encourages believers to trust in God's plan and obey His commands, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. As seen in Exodus 11:8, Moses' obedience to God's instructions is a model for believers, demonstrating the importance of faith and trust in God's sovereignty. The chapter also reminds believers of the importance of humility and submission to God's will, as seen in Pharaoh's eventual submission to God's commands.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Exodus chapter 11 is about God's final judgment on Egypt, where He announces the death of every firstborn son as a result of Pharaoh's stubbornness. The chapter highlights God's power, justice, and mercy, as He spares the Israelites from this judgment. As seen in Exodus 11:1, God's instructions to Moses are a crucial part of this narrative, highlighting God's power and authority over Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Exodus 11:5.

Voices from the Church

“The Passover is a beautiful type of Christ, who is our Passover, sacrificed for us. As the blood of the lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts, so the blood of Christ is sprinkled on our hearts, saving us from God's judgment.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment. Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate fulfillment of this concept, as He bore the punishment for our sins, sparing us from God's judgment.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. God's Instructions to Moses (Exodus 11:1-3) — God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold, silver, and clothing, which they will give them.
2. God's Announcement of Judgment (Exodus 11:4-5) — God announces that He will go through Egypt and strike down every firstborn son, from the son of Pharaoh to the son of the lowest slave girl.
3. Moses' Obedience to God's Commands (Exodus 11:6-8) — Moses obeys God's instructions and tells the Israelites to prepare for the Passover, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience.
4. The Israelites' Preparation for the Passover (Exodus 11:9-10) — The Israelites prepare for the Passover by applying the blood of the lamb to their doorposts, demonstrating their trust in God's plan.
5. God's Judgment on Egypt (Exodus 11:11) — God goes through Egypt and strikes down every firstborn son, but spares the Israelites, highlighting the contrast between God's judgment and mercy.

Core Doctrines

The Sovereignty of God

The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including the actions of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. As seen in Exodus 11:1, God's instructions to Moses demonstrate His power and authority over Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

The Importance of Obedience

The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Moses' obedience to God's instructions and the Israelites' preparation for the Passover. This highlights the need for believers to trust in God's plan and obey His commands.

The Mercy of God

The chapter teaches that God is merciful and gracious, sparing the Israelites from His judgment and providing a way for them to escape Egypt. As seen in Exodus 11:5, God's mercy is evident in His sparing of the Israelites from the death of the firstborn son.

The Foreshadowing of Christ

The chapter foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, where He became the ultimate Passover Lamb, sparing believers from God's judgment. The death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment.

Lessons from Exodus 11

1. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter teaches us that obedience to God's commands is essential for our relationship with Him and for our spiritual growth. As seen in Exodus 11:8, Moses' obedience to God's instructions is a model for believers, demonstrating the importance of faith and trust in God's sovereignty.
2. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter reminds us that God is sovereign over all things, including the actions of others and the circumstances of our lives. As seen in Exodus 11:1, God's instructions to Moses demonstrate His power and authority over Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
3. The Mercy of God — The chapter teaches us that God is merciful and gracious, sparing us from His judgment and providing a way for us to escape sin and death. As seen in Exodus 11:5, God's mercy is evident in His sparing of the Israelites from the death of the firstborn son.
4. The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. As seen in Exodus 11:5, the death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment.
5. The Foreshadowing of Christ — The chapter foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice that He made for our salvation. The death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment.

Themes from Exodus 11

1. God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches us that God is sovereign over all things, including the actions of others and the circumstances of our lives. As seen in Exodus 11:1, God's instructions to Moses demonstrate His power and authority over Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
2. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Moses' obedience to God's instructions and the Israelites' preparation for the Passover. This highlights the need for believers to trust in God's plan and obey His commands.
3. The Mercy of God — The chapter teaches us that God is merciful and gracious, sparing us from His judgment and providing a way for us to escape sin and death. As seen in Exodus 11:5, God's mercy is evident in His sparing of the Israelites from the death of the firstborn son.
4. The Foreshadowing of Christ — The chapter foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice that He made for our salvation. The death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment.
5. The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. As seen in Exodus 11:5, the death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment.

Questions for Meditation

1. What can we learn from Pharaoh's stubbornness and refusal to obey God's commands? How can we apply this to our own lives and decisions?
2. How does the chapter highlight the importance of faith and obedience? What role do these virtues play in our relationship with God?
3. What does the chapter teach us about God's sovereignty and power? How can we trust in God's plan and obey His commands, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity?
4. How does the chapter foreshadow Christ's work on the cross? What does this teach us about the nature of salvation and the importance of faith in Christ?
5. What can we learn from the Israelites' preparation for the Passover? How can we apply this to our own lives and our relationship with God?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Exodus 11

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 11:1-10 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the final plague that God brings upon Pharaoh and Egypt. The Lord tells Moses that he will bring one more plague upon Pharaoh, after which he
	The Exodus - From Egypt to Canaan - Sermon 1 of 5 by Roy Hession	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that all of humanity is under the domination of Satan due to sin. The power of Satan lies in sin, which gives him the ability to act as a ja
	(Through the Bible) Exodus 6-10 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the response of God to Moses' despair and the increasing hardships faced by the children of Israel under Pharaoh's rule. God assures Moses t
	Redemption: Grace and Love by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of meeting God's needs through love and grace. He uses the example of the Israelites building the Tabernacle to illustrate th
	(Covenant Series) 3. Christ Our Passover by Al Whittinghill	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. He emphasizes that God heard the groanings of the Is
	The Reluctant God - Part 9 by G.W. North	In this sermon, the preacher talks about Moses and his encounter with God. He emphasizes Moses' humility and how he was chosen by God despite his own feelings of inadequacy. The pr
	Mastering Our Midnights by Russell DeLong	Russell DeLong preaches on the theme 'Mastering Our Midnights,' highlighting how our attitude towards dark and challenging times can either make us stronger or weaker, better or bi
	Is There a Difference? by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes God's sovereign power to protect His people, illustrating that just as He can silence the tongues of dogs, He can also grant peace amidst adversaries. He r

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Exodus 11

In Exodus chapter 11, we see God's final judgment on Egypt, where He announces the death of every firstborn son as a result of Pharaoh's stubbornness. The chapter highlights God's power, justice, and mercy, as He spares the Israelites from this judgment. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The death of the firstborn son is a judgment on the Egyptians for their disobedience and refusal to let the Israelites go.' The chapter also foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, where He became the ultimate Passover Lamb, sparing believers from God's judgment. As seen in Exodus 11:5, the death of the firstborn son is a reminder of the costly nature of sin and the need for a substitute to bear the punishment. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?