Chronological Reading Plan for Feb 2, Ex 10-12

Today's readings are Ex 10- 12. Tomorrow's are Ex 13-15. 

More plagues in Ex 10. But, now, Pharaoh is losing the support of his people. His servants openly question him, an act that could have been deadly prior to the onset of the plagues. It doesn't help that the Jews are unaffected, even may seem protected to the Egyptians. The Egyptians may not be believers, but they certainly are witnesses to God's power. We are reminded, once again, that God is doing all of this to reveal Himself and His power (Ex 10:2). The ultimate goal is the self-revelation of God, not the removal of His people from Egypt. Their deliverance is the glorious by-product of God's plan to put His power and glory on display for all the world to see. 

The ninth plague is darkness, an incredible, inky darkness never before experienced. The darkness is significant to the Egyptians. One of their most powerful deities is Ra, the sun god, who seems powerless against the God of Moses.  

Ex 12 is momentous. We see the Passover. The Passover is marked by symbolism whose meaning will not be made clear for nearly two thousand years. We see the sacrificial lamb. To the Jews, it becomes clear that the shedding of blood will be necessary for their deliverance. The lamb’s blood will be the mark that delivers God’s people. The meal prepared from the sacrificed lamb is to be eaten in haste and preparedness. God’s people are to be vigilant and prepared for His deliverance. There is top be no leaven, either in the meal or in the house. Leaven becomes a symbol for sin. It is to be completely eliminated from their lives in order for them to participate in the Passover. No foreigner or individual outside the household can eat the Passover meal. It is reserved for the people of God. In eating the lamb and painting its blood on their doorways, they become one with the lamb, its flesh on the inside and the covering of its blood on the outside. The angel of death takes the firstborn of all the Egyptians, leaving the firstborn of God's children, preserving the bloodlines, providing assurance that God’s promise will be fulfilled and assuring God’s protection. Pharaoh finally releases God's people. God’s awesome outpouring of wrath upon those who oppose Him or His people is a fulfillment of His promise to Moses.

These events are so significant, God orders His people to restart their calendars. They are a nation redeemed, reborn and starting anew, freed by the grace of God, being led to their new home by God's chosen leader. Their new lives start the day God redeems them.

After 430 years in captivity, over two million people walk out of Egypt, carrying the riches of Egypt with them and even some of the Egyptians. It will be interesting to see how that material wealth plays out in the wilderness.