Chronological Bible Study – Feb 2

What I Noticed Today (Exodus 10-12)

Exodus 10

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

In verses 1-20, the eighth plague is sent to Egypt:

• Then the Lord told Moses to go to Pharaoh because his heart was hard so God could do these signs among the people, and the Israelites could tell their children and grandchildren about the signs, and they would know that God is the Lord.
• The next day Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh, saying God wants Pharaoh to let His people go to worship Him. Otherwise, the next day He will send a plague of locusts throughout the land that will devour anything missed by the hail.
• Pharaoh’s officials asked Pharaoh, how long will you remain stubborn? Don’t you realize Egypt is devastated because of this man?
• So Moses and Aaron were brought back before Pharaoh, who asked exactly who will be going to worship God? Moses answered they all must go, women and children, and their flocks. Pharaoh refused, saying only the men could go.
• The Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand, and the locusts came and destroyed everything left by the hail. Nothing green was left on the plants or the trees throughout all of Egypt.
• Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron again and said he had sinned against God. Please appeal to God and take away the locusts.
• God took away the locusts, but Pharaoh hardened his heart once again and would not let the people go.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

In verses 21-29, the ninth plague is sent to Egypt:

• Then the Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand and bring darkness on the land for three days, yet the Israelites had light in Goshen.
• Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said they could take their families and worship God, but they must leave their flocks behind.
• Moses said the flocks and herds must also go because they would not know what to sacrifice until they left.
• Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. He even said Moses and Aaron would never see his face again, or they would die.

Additional thoughts for consideration:

• Pharaoh’s stubbornness and hardness of heart caused the destruction of his entire nation; the rivers, the land, the plants, and the livestock. He lied, deceived, and tried to barter. He recognized his sin but, but refused to repent.
• So may leaders today set their minds on a course of action, and despite all the warnings from God, they stubbornly pursue their course, refusing to admit their sin, repent, and turn back to God!

Exodus 11

The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

In verses 1-10, the tenth plague is sent to Egypt:

• The Lord said to Moses He would bring one more plague on Egypt, and then Pharaoh will let you go. In fact, he will drive you out.
• Announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors (Egyptians) for gold and silver jewelry.
• The Lord gave the people favor among the people of Egypt, and Moses was highly regarded among Pharaoh’s officials.

• The Lord told Moses about midnight I will pass throughout Egypt, and every firstborn male, from Pharaoh to a servant, will die. Every firstborn of livestock will also die. A great cry of anguish will come over all Egypt.
• The Lord told Moses Pharaoh will not listen to you so that My wonders will be multiplied in Egypt. Moses and Aaron did all these wonders, but Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he would not let the people go.

Exodus 12

Chapter 12 details God’s instructions for the preparation for the first Passover and its celebration. It moves back and forth between instructions for the Passover, the Exodus, and back to Passover instructions.

In verses 1-20, the Lord provides instructions to Moses regarding the Passover feast:

• God established a new calendar for the nations of Israel. This month (Nisan, which means “start”) was to be the first month in their year (March-April on the Gregorian calendar).
• On the tenth day, the people were to select an unblemished sheep or goat from the flock. There should be one animal per household, or if a household was too small, they would gather with a neighbor. The animal selected was to be kept until the fourteenth day.
• Then at twilight, the entire nation will slaughter their animals. They are to put some of the blood of the animal on the doorposts and lintels of the houses in which they eat the animal.
• The entire animal is to be roasted, not boiled or eaten raw. Eat it with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs.

• The entire animal must be eaten that night; any remaining portion must be burned in the fire.
• You must eat it dressed for travel, with your sandals on and your staff in your hand. You must eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover.
• God will then pass through the land of Egypt and strike every firstborn male; man, and beast.
• The blood on the houses will be a distinguishing mark for the Israelites. God will pass over any house marked with blood.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

• This is to be a memorial celebration to the Lord passed on as a permanent statute to future generations.
• You must eat unleavened bread for seven days.
• On the first day, you must remove the yeast from your house. Anyone who eats what is leavened during these seven days must be cut-off from Israel.

• You must hold a sacred assembly on the first day and the seventh day. No work is allowed except preparing what you eat.
• The Festival of Unleavened Bread is to be celebrated because of the day God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. It is to be celebrated as a permanent statute for future generations.
• It is to be celebrated from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month.
• There must be no yeast in your houses during that time.

Passover Instructions

In verses 21-28, Moses instructs the Israelites on the proper observation of the Passover feast:

• Moses instructed the elders of Israel and told them to select an animal from their flocks and slaughter the Passover animal.
• Using a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood and brush it on the lintel and doorposts of the house.
• You may not go out of the house until morning.
• When the Lord passes through Egypt, He will pass over houses where He sees the blood.
• The people are to pass this command down to future generations and to teach the meaning of the celebration to their children. They are to observe this ritual when they enter the Promised Land.

The Tenth Plague & the Exodus

In verses 29-41, the 10^th plague comes, and the Israelites leave Egypt:

• At midnight the Lord struck every firstborn male in Egypt from Pharaoh to the prisoner and every firstborn of the livestock.
• During the night, Pharaoh got up, and there was loud wailing in every house in Egypt because there wasn’t a house without someone dead.
• Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to get the Israelites and go with all the people and the flocks and worship Yahweh.
• Pharaoh also asked for Moses and Aaron to bless him!
• The Egyptians urged the people to leave quickly because they feared they would all die.
• The Israelites did as Moses said by asking their neighbors for gold and silver jewelry, and clothing. In this way, they plundered the Egyptians.
• The Israelites traveled from Ramses in Goshen to Succoth. About 600,000 men with their families.

• An ethnically diverse crowd (a rabble) left with them, along with their flocks and herds of animals.

• The Israelites had been in Egypt for 430 years (from 1876 B.C. to 1446 B.C.).
• God kept vigil over them throughout the night as they left.

Passover Instructions

In verses 43-51, the Lord gives Passover instructions to Moses and Aaron:

• No foreigner may eat it, but any circumcised slave may eat it.
• A temporary resident or hired hand may not eat it.
• It is to be eaten in one house.
• The meat may not be taken outside the house, and you must not break any of the animal’s bones.
• The whole community of Israel must celebrate the Passover.
• A foreigner who resides with you may eat it if all the males are circumcised; he will become a native to the land.
• All the Israelites did this just as the Lord commanded.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Day 34 Exodus 13-15