Seeking God

Introduction

God’s plan for ending Israel’s enslavement is unfolding. Water to blood, frogs invading the land, locusts, darkness, boils. Each new plague only brought resolve from Pharaoh — Israel will remain enslaved. In 11:4ff, Moses told Pharaoh what was going to happen. This last act from God would cripple Egypt and it would result in all the Egyptians being glad to see Israel leave Egypt. Pharaoh refuses to listen. In preparation for that last plague, Israel was commanded to eat the first of many Passover meals. The roasted lamb, the bitter herbs, and the unleavened bread were all eaten fully not only as a last meal but it was eaten with their shoes on and their cloaks tucked up inside their belts. The meal signified that they would leave Egypt quickly. This final meal before deliverance was to give them plenty of food for their journey and eaten with the intent to leave quickly.

The people had been told what was going to happen and how they were to prepare for that night. Pharaoh had been told and as we shall see so were the people of Egypt told what was going to happen. The drama of the last plague is lost on us because we do not understand how significant this event was to the Egyptians. In 12:12, God said he was going to judge the gods of Egypt. And with this 10th plague numerous gods are judged.

Serket, the goddess of protection, was proven powerless. Meshkenet, the goddess who presided at the birth of children, failed to save the firstborn. Sobek, god of protection and fertility who epitomized the might of the pharaohs, couldn’t protect anyone. Renenutet, the god who appeared as a vulture, the special protector god of the pharaoh, could not protect the pharaoh’s son who would be the next pharaoh. And where again was Osiris, the giver and ruler of life? Hu, the god personifying royal authority; Wadjet, the goddess of royal authority; Maat, goddess of cosmic order under whose protection the rulers of Egypt governed; and the war goddess Sekhmet, who would supposedly breathe fire against the enemies of the pharaoh. Then Pharaoh himself who was worshiped as the supreme leader of Egypt. 10 gods judged in one plague. All 10 found lacking.

We come today just as ancient Israel did to celebrate the rule of God. To revel once again in knowing that our God is king of kings and Lord of lords. That there is no god greater than the God we love and worship today.

The Night of Death

The meal has been eaten. The blood has been applied to the door frame top and sides. The people wait. There is no sleeping. In fact, there is no sleeping in Egypt at all. Everyone waits. Every household in Egypt is waiting to see what will happen. We are told that in the middle of the night, God moves through the nation quickly and decisively. All the firstborn from Pharaoh’s household to the lowest in socioeconomic standing to every animal are killed. Verse 30 tells us that there was great wailing in the entire nation. Parents had been checking on their children. Maybe they sat next to the children as their children slept. But in one moment. A literal second of time all the firstborn die. Every household in Egypt is affected.

Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron and tells them that they have won. He wants them out of Egypt now. Every request is supported. Pharaoh is joined by the people. Everyone wants Israel out of Egypt. And the people ask for jewelry, clothes, gold and silver. And the Egyptians give it all away. It is a small price to pay for Israel to leave.

There has been preparation for this day. Verse 37 tells us that 600 divisions leave. There is debate about the use of the word “thousand.” The same word can be used to describe military divisions. Perhaps it is best for us to understand that it is 600 divisions of fighting men. Verse 38 tells us that it isn’t only Israel that is leaving Egypt. Those who are not Israelites leave too. This Exodus allows others who have seen God’s power to join with Israel and to leave while the Egyptians are not looking. These additional people will pose a problem for Israel later on according to Numbers 11.

Verse 40-42 is a summary statement. As he told Abraham in Genesis 15, so he has fulfilled. 430 years later the Lord’s divisions left Egypt. And this is to become a regular celebration. It is a celebration for all who follow God’s will and all who celebrate must follow God’s commands.

Application

The most fascinating lesson from this text is found in verse 32. Upon leaving Egypt, Pharaoh asks that Moses and Aaron ask their God to bless him. Pharaoh is so convinced that the God of Israel is greater than his gods that he asks for a blessing from their God. Pharaoh recognizes that Moses’ God is greater than he is. The last time a Pharaoh received a blessing from God’s man was in Genesis 47 when Jacob blessed Pharaoh upon his arrival in Egypt. Now centuries later, Pharaoh asks for Moses to bless him.

Here’s the point. Sooner or later all will seek a blessing from God. The one who did not believe in Israel’s God eventually recognized his defeat. Pharaoh’s defiance of God is so similar to those who defy him today. Maybe in our own way, we seek to outguess and outsmart this God. There is a bit or more than a bit of rebellion in all of us. We all desire to have it our way rather than seeking to let God have his way. Slowly but surely God is seen to be greater than our gods.

The stock market crash has us nervous. Our God is greater. The uncertainty of a virus and its trek makes us all a bit skiddish. Our God is greater. The crashing oil prices and the resulting concern about unemployment is met with the promise that our God is greater. Egypt had gods that were supposed to protect them. Our health god is supposed to keep us free from disease. Our 401k god is supposed to make retirement easy. Our job god is to supposed to keep us away from uncertainty. Our relationship god is supposed to make life bearable. But when job markets are uncertain; and health is waning; and our 401k plunges who do we turn to.

Pharaoh’s desire to be blessed by God is short-lived. He will soon become enraged at his lack of determination as supreme ruler and he will pursue Israel to his own demise. In our rebellion we seek God to fix things and then we mad at him for not fixing them the way we think he ought. He ought to restore health; he ought to restore wealth; he ought to make life easy; he ought to make sure there is a job. And if any of those fail we seek a blessing or we decide we will do more to prove we know what is best. In his defeat, Pharaoh sought God. There is nothing greater or better than our God. Invitation.

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