In this brief chapter we have the most solemn account of communion between Jehovah and His servant Moses. Pharaoh had rejected God finally, and God had now finally rejected Pharaoh. Jehovah now announced that He Himself would come with the actual stroke of final punishment. He had sent His messengers, Moses and Aaron, and His ministers, blood, and frogs, and lice; flies, and murrain, and boils; hail, and locusts, and darkness. He had waited patiently for the effect of the plagues, allowing time for Pharaoh to relent and repent, all without producing any effect other than determined and willful and insolent opposition. The time for remedy had passed and now, as an avenging angel, He would Himself pass through the land. In this hour of communion Jehovah's final determination was indicated to Moses, and by him to the Hebrew people, in order to prepare for their departure according to the will and claim of God.
Exodus 11:1-10
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 followa 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.