That Great Separation

Exposition

Verses 1 - 3: In Exodus 4:22 - 23 the LORD told Moses that he would strike the firstborn of Pharaoh due to his refusal to release Yahweh’s firstborn son of Israel. Before that in Ex. 3:21 - 22 the LORD told Moses He would grant His people favor in the sight of the Egyptians so that they would receive gold and silver. They would plunder the Egyptians. In our text today the Lord indicates he is about to bring these words to pass. The last plague Yahweh will bring will cause Pharaoh to expel Israel from Egypt, hence the wording that ‘he will surely drive you out’. Whereas before he resisted obeying Yahweh, now Israel won’t leave fast enough for Egypt. Indeed, the freedom of Israel will come at a high price, death. The chains of bondage and slavery will only be broken by a great shedding of blood. This is the message of the Lord. This is the gospel message. Moses is commanded to instruct the people to seek gold and silver and touches the hearts of the Egyptians so they grant the Israelites request. Indeed the people, or at least many of them, have come to understand that treating the Israelites well was in their best interest. Pharaoh and / or their god’s couldn’t help them. It is interesting to note that whatever the mindset of Pharaoh, he was not speaking or acting on behalf of all Egypt at this time. Nor is Pharaoh a righteous ruler because he doesn’t have the welfare of Egypt as a top priority. On the other hand the LORD has elevated Moses to a position of stature and respect in Egypt. They now understand they must listen when he speaks. The NT describes this scenario has humbling ourselves before the LORD and being exalted by him in due time. Moses may no longer be an Egyptian prince but it fair to say he has the respect of one.

Verses 4 - 8: As with the prior plagues Pharaoh is told when this will occur. It will not be delayed until the next day but will come at midnight. This is in one sense an act of grace since for most death will come during sleep.[1] On the other hand, it will come at the moment of greatest weaknesses and when no one would be expecting it.[2] Such is the case throughout biblical history. God warns, warns and warns and His warnings are ignored. Then all of a sudden, judgment strikes and it is sorrowful indeed. Unlike with the plague of hail there will be no place of safety. It won’t matter whether one is home or in the field. No household of Egypt will escape this judgment of God. The striking of the firstborn son is especially significant given the importance of the firstborn son in ANE culture. As described in the Mentor Commentary: “The destiny of the family focused on the firstborn son, who was the chief heir of the family property and who would become responsible for its well-being. Indeed, in the case of the firstborn son of Pharaoh, it was the future of the whole nation that was involved. When his father died, he would become the incarnation of the god Horus and ascend the throne as the divine ruler of Egypt. His premature death would be a blow to the whole political and religious system of the land.”[3] This is still true today. When the LORD pours out of his wrath, there is no hope for the objects. The cries of pain and suffering that come will not be rivaled by anything before or after. There is nothing like the judgment of God in creation and there is no safety from God save that which is found in God himself. All creation fills the judgment (Rom. 8:19-22). When it is complete those whom bowed before Pharaoh will bow before Moses and beg him to leave. They will have experienced the absolute sovereignty of God and will conclude that they must obey. This raises an important issue we must address concerning to justice of God: What about the “innocent” that will be killed?

An objection to this plague would be the death of children. Why should they suffer for the sins of their parents? This question is especially important given we are told later in scripture that everyone is responsible for their own sin (Deut. 24:16, Ezek. 18:20). A counter to this would be the punishment of the families of Achan (Josh. 7:24-26) and (the men whom accused Daniel (Dan. 6:24). What are we to make of this data? Permit me to make five points in answer to the question. 1 - It is an unfortunate reality that children suffer from the misdeeds of the parent to this day. The father or mother whom commits a crime and is jailed brings suffering and a penalty upon their children. The same is true when a parent is fired for cause from a job. In this cases the child has done nothing wrong or is “innocent” yet is punished because of these actions. 2 - Another unfortunate reality is the death of the “innocent” due to natural evils such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, diseases and the like. 3 - There no basis to assume that only young children are subject to this. The firstborn sons would include adult firstborn sons as well. You could literally have a father and son die if both are the firstborn. 4 - The Lord of heaven and earth is neither capricious or malicious. He doesn’t be judgment without warrant. Pharaoh and Egypt had violated His law. They sought to destroy Israel by killing her firstborn sons. Pharaoh, when first confronted by Moses, responded with further oppression of the Israelites. Even as the Nile turned into a source of death instead of life, so the grave sins of Egypt where no to return on their heads. 5 - There is no one whom is truly innocent. We are all born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Ps. 51:5). There is no one who seeks God (Ps. 14:2, cf. Romans 3:10 -11). We are born under the wrath of God and subject to His judgment. Death is the proper punishment for our sin (Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:27) We are all lost apart from His salvation, found only in Christ. We can make no claim on his mercy.

Verses 9 - 10: These appear to be reflective verses describing what happened in the past. Moses was warned Pharaoh won’t listen so that God’s power may be demonstrated (Rom. 9:16). The LORD worked these great signs through Moses. Yet Pharaoh refused to obey because the LORD hardened his heart, so that his glory might be made manifest on the earth.

Let us return to verse 7 where we are told Israel will suffer no loss. The lives of the Israelites will continue and they will go onto prosperity in the land the LORD shall give them. Israel will be freed to receive its inheritance and enter into relationship with his God. They will not suffer the fate of Egypt for they are being preserved for the LORD. This is I believe the clearest distinction so far between the children of God and the children of Adam. Those in Adam are on the path of destruction, those in Christ the path of life. Those in Christ will receive the goodness and grace of God while those in Adam will receive the wrath and judgment of God. The suffering of the believer, however long is in fact temporary. In the light of the eternal inheritance it will be shown as insignificant, as Paul makes clear (Romans 8:17). This is not to minimize present pain and suffering. Many are suffering right now, whether it be physically, emotionally, or mentally. In this time of pandemic there is and will continue to be much hardship. It is to say that for those in Christ, we have an eternal hope beyond our present experience. There is a great reward for us that we are guaranteed to receive. It was set aside for us before we were born, even before the foundation of the world. He who called us is faithful and will bring His word to pass (1 Thess. 5:24). On the other hand, the present suffering of the child of Adam is but a foretaste of future eternal suffering under the just wrath of God for their sin. Present pleasures are but momentary and fleeting vainities that won’t last or matter. Why the difference? One has been chosen and the other hasn’t. The psalmist declares that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself (Ps. 4:3). It has nothing to do with either nation but is entirely due to the sovereign purpose of God.

The Necessity of Grace

Neither nation deserved the grace of God. Both deserved the wrath of God. Why? There is no reason to believe that some portion of Israel wasn’t engaging in the idolatrous practices of their masters in Egypt. I have often stated their theological knowledge of God was likely minimal at best or non-existent at worst (I think its probably the former). Based on Joshua 5:2-5 there is reason to question whether they had been properly circumcised and clearly didn’t circumcise their children. They failed to follow sign of the covenant. Remember the near death of Moses in Ex. 4:24 - 27 because of his failure concerning circumcising his son. There was plenty guilt to go around. Yet Israel was to be blessed with Egypt cursed. Why? Because it was what God promised to their fathers (Deut. 7:7-8), themselves unworthy of the grace of God.

What a great manifestation of the love and grace of God we have here. God is for His people (Ps. 56:9). He will go to great lengths to rescue them from bondage and bring them to Himself. The inheritance of the land and, more importantly, a relationship with him will come for His glory’s sake. God loves His people and is unwilling for them to remain in their oppressed state. Blessed be the name of the Lord. This greatest example of this was the cross and resurrection of Christ where our sin was judged, freedom from sin was obtained, and the fear and power of death was removed. For Israel, the great redemption that Yahweh is accomplishing will be symbolized in the passover which we will spend a couple of weeks examining.

Practical Application

The power of God manifested in His works are either a reason for joy or for judgment. They are reason to rejoice for those who are being saved. They are reason to tremble for those being judged. The work of God in salvation inevitably leads to a great separation: those whom don’t believe and receive justice and those whom do and receive mercy. No one earns it and we dare not take it for granted. I would ask those int he congregation are you living in the light of that great separation? Is there a visible witness of the fact that you are set apart? When the world sees you does it see Israel or Egypt. Given so great a salvation that has been done for us in Christ we ought to manifest a difference. This difference being a manifestation of the work of God in our life and our unceasing gratitude for it. Now more than ever the world desperately needs this difference so that they may know the way to life and return towards it before it is too late.

Gospel Application

To the unbeliever: Pharaoh was given choice after choice after choice and he always made the wrong one. Grace upon grace was extended yet he dug in his heels. Things had to be his way. Look at what that is going to get him. What about you? How many times have you heard the gospel call to repentance and belief? What have you done with it so far? Have you spurned it? You are making a grave mistake, one with permanent, eternal consequences. There is a God and we will all stand before Him. How will you answer the charges against you? You will have no defense because God has extended grace to you as well. That grace is the opportunity to repent and believe the gospel. Take advantage of it. It is the most important life sustaining thing you can do. Turn away from your current life, good, bad, or otherwise and cry out to God. Acknowledge and confess your sin. Ask for forgiveness and to be received into His kingdom. Place your trust in Christ who by his death and resurrection secures salvation for all who believe. Don’t Delay. Not is the acceptable time and day of salvation. In the day you hear his voice don’t harden your hearts. Confess and believe in today.

[1] Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 265). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[2] iBid.

[3] Mackay, J. L. (2001). Exodus (p. 196). Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Mentor