Read Exodus 11:1-12:20 at Bible Gateway.
Hebrew paragraph divisions
Exo 11:1-3 {s} One final plague: favor in the sight of the Egyptians
Exo 11:4-8 {s} One final plague: distinction between Israel and Egypt
Exo 11:9-10 {s} Pharaoh will not, did not heed, therefore wonders multiplied in Egypt
Exo 12:1-20 {p} Passover, Unleavened Bread instruction
Exo 11:1-12:20 Chiastic structure
Strong theme
The central axis highlights that Pharaoh will not hearken to YHVH; while the bookends highlight that Israel will hearken to the warning of the final plague. Both Egypt and Israel received warning of the coming of the final plague. Pharaoh, to avert it, only need repent, hearken to YHVH, and let Israel go. Israel, to avert it, had to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts and lintel, and eat the Passover meal in the manner proscribed, prepared to journey.
Isn’t it interesting that Israel was not automatically exempt from the final plague; if any did not act in faith by applying the blood of the Passover lamb, that house would have been visited by the angel of death as well. They were saved because they obeyed the commandment of God; Egypt’s firstborn were destroyed because they ignored the commandment of God.
Strong theme: Warning of the final plague: Pharaoh will not hearken; Israel will hearken to protect their homes from the angel of death.
Let us learn from their example!
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