Exodus 11 – The Final Warning Before the Death of the Firstborn
In Exodus 11, God delivers His last warning to Pharaoh: the death of every firstborn in Egypt. This short but pivotal chapter reveals the weight of delayed obedience and sets the stage for divine deliverance.
The Calm Before the Midnight Cry
Exodus 11 is a moment of holy silence and final warning. After nine devastating plagues, Pharaoh’s pride still stands—but not for long. God prepares to strike the most sensitive part of Egypt’s heart: the firstborn. This chapter is short in words but heavy in meaning—it reveals the cost of rebellion and the certainty of justice.
✔ God announces one last plague.
✔ The death of Egypt’s firstborn is prophesied.
✔ Israel will depart with favor and treasure.
✔ Moses delivers God’s final warning.
📖 Key Verse: “About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt.” – Exodus 11:4
🔎 Midnight in Scripture is a time of divine intervention, judgment, and deliverance (see Matthew 25:6, Acts 16:25–26).
Exodus Chapter 11 Overview
Exodus 11:1–3 – Divine Favor and the Spoiling of Egypt
📖 Exodus 11:2–3 – “Let every man borrow of his neighbour… jewels of silver, and jewels of gold… the LORD gave the people favour.”
🔎 Before judgment falls, God elevates His people:
🔹 Israel, once despised slaves, now walk in favor and honor before the Egyptians.
🔹 The word “borrow” in Hebrew (sha’al) can also mean “ask” or “request.” This was not deception—it was compensation for centuries of unpaid labor.
🔹 This act fulfills God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:14: “Afterward they shall come out with great substance.”
➡️ Spiritual Insight: God is not just a deliverer—He’s a restorer. When He brings you out, He brings you up.
Exodus 11:4–8 – The Death of the Firstborn Foretold
📖 Exodus 11:4–5 – “About midnight… shall die all the firstborn in the land of Egypt…”
🔎 This is the climactic judgment:
🔹 “Midnight” marks a shift—judgment comes suddenly and without further warning.
🔹 From Pharaoh’s heir to the lowliest servant’s child, no class is spared—judgment is universal.
🔹 Even the firstborn of cattle are struck, signifying economic and religious collapse.
➡️ Prophetic Parallel: The final judgments in Revelation also come with global impact, striking both kings and servants alike.
📖 Exodus 11:6 – “There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt…”
🔎 This mirrors the cry of Israel in Exodus 3:7—but now judgment is reversed. Egypt, once the oppressor, will now experience the same kind of sorrow.
📖 Exodus 11:7 – “Against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue…”
🔎 God promises total peace and distinction:
🔹 No harm, no noise, no fear will touch His people.
🔹 This is more than protection—it’s public vindication of who belongs to Him.
➡️ Spiritual Comfort: When God moves in judgment, He also moves in protection for His people.
📖 Exodus 11:8 – “All these thy servants shall come down… and bow down themselves unto me…”
🔎 Moses prophesies Egypt’s complete surrender:
🔹 Those who mocked will now bow.
🔹 The pride of Egypt will be broken—not by force, but by the weight of divine justice.
🔹 Moses leaves “in a great anger”—not in rage, but in holy grief and intensity.
➡️ Devotional Thought: God’s messengers sometimes weep while they warn—because judgment is real, but so is God’s heartbreak.
Exodus Chapter 11 - Deeper Study
Overview: The Final Blow Foretold
🔹 Timeframe: Just before the first Passover night.
🔹 Setting: Egypt’s royal courts, in silence before the storm.
🔹 Theme: Rebellion has a price—but covenant people will be covered.
Key Takeaways
🔑 God gives favor to His people before their exit.
🔑 Midnight is a time of divine turning.
🔑 Judgment touches the proud and the poor alike.
🔑 God makes a clear distinction between His people and the world.
🔑 Prophets speak hard truths—but with holy grief.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Death of the firstborn – Foreshadows both the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) and the death of God’s own Firstborn—Jesus Christ.
🔮 Midnight cry – Seen in Matthew 25:6 and Revelation 16:15—a warning that the Bridegroom comes suddenly.
🔮 Spoiling of Egypt – Symbolizes the wealth of the wicked laid up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Egyptian culture – The firstborn son was the pride of every household and the guarantor of legacy. This plague was both personal and national.
📜 Dogs in Egypt – Often used for security or hunting; their silence represented unnatural peace and divine restraint.
📜 Servants bowing – A reversal of Exodus 1, where Israel bowed under Egypt—now Egypt bows under God’s judgment.
💡 Final Reflection: When the Midnight Cry Comes, Will You Be Covered?
Judgment is coming—but so is deliverance for those under God’s covering.
📌 Are you holding back your firstborn—your most valuable offering—from God?
📌 Are you walking in favor before the exit—or still serving Pharaoh?
📌 When God’s messengers speak—are you listening before the silence falls?
🚀 A cry is coming at midnight. But for the faithful, it will be the hour of freedom.
A Final Plague Threatened
Exo 11:1 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.
Exo 11:2 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.
Exo 11:3 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.
Exo 11:4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
Exo 11:5 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.
Exo 11:6 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.
Exo 11:7 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.
Exo 11:8 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.
Exo 11:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
Exo 11:10 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.
Date Written
1446-1406 BC
Written By
Moses
Language
Hebrew
Verses
10