And He Walks With Me: Thoughts and comments on the Bible

Exodus 11 announces the final plague—the death of Egypt’s firstborn—revealing God’s sovereignty, justice, and supernatural power. Israel found favor with the Egyptians as God prepared their deliverance, while Pharaoh’s hardened heart ensured judgment. The chapter contrasts divine wonder for God’s people with devastating plague for those who persistently resist him.

Exodus 10 presents the plagues of locusts and darkness as escalating demonstrations of God’s supremacy over Egypt, Pharaoh, and the Egyptian gods. Pharaoh repeatedly sought conditional surrender, while his officials recognized Egypt’s devastation. The removal of light symbolized the withdrawal of divine blessing, warning that persistent rebellion ultimately leads to utter darkness.

Exodus 9 reveals God’s escalating judgment through disease, boils, and hail, demonstrating His sovereignty over nature, Egypt, and Pharaoh. While some Egyptians began to fear the Lord and heed Moses’ warnings, Pharaoh’s pride hardened his heart. The chapter highlights God’s mercy, justice, patience, and the danger of persistent rebellion.

Here’s a 50-word summary:

Exodus 8’s plague of frogs demonstrated God’s power over Egypt, exposing the inadequacy of naturalistic explanations, pagan deities, and Pharaoh’s authority. Though Pharaoh briefly promised obedience, relief revealed his unchanged heart. The narrative highlights God’s sovereignty, the futility of superficial repentance, and the judgment of human pride.

Exodus 6 reveals God reaffirming his promises after Moses’ apparent failure before Pharaoh. God reminded Moses that deliverance depended on divine power, not human ability, and clarified Moses’ role as messenger rather than savior. Through discouragement, weakness, and uncertainty, God demonstrated that his purposes prevail and his glory alone deserves recognition.

Moses’ demand that Pharaoh release Israel to worship God revealed a clash of power, authority, and faith. Pharaoh responded by increasing Israel’s suffering, exposing the cost of pursuing God-given vision. Yet hardship, doubt, and opposition did not negate God’s calling. Instead, Exodus 5 shows faithful obedience often precedes deliverance and fulfillment.

Moses resists God’s call, doubting his credibility and ability despite divine assurances and signs. God responds with patience, provision, and eventual frustration, appointing Aaron to assist. After resolving personal obedience issues, Moses returns to Egypt, where initial acceptance from Israel contrasts with future challenges requiring deeper commitment and costly faith.

Moses is reintroduced as a humbled, obscure shepherd when God appears in the burning bush, revealing His holiness, awareness of suffering, and redemptive plan. Calling Moses despite his inadequacy, God promises His presence, reveals His name, and demonstrates that deliverance will come through divine power, not human strength, for His glory.

Tracing Levi’s lineage, the narrative highlights Moses’ origins, the meaning of “good” (ṭôḇ), and his family’s risky concealment of him. Set within ancient abandonment themes, Moses is providentially rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, raised by his mother, later rejects injustice, flees to Midian, and awaits God’s faithful, though delayed, deliverance.

Exodus opens as a continuation of Genesis, tracing Jacob’s descendants in Egypt as they multiply under God’s blessing. Egypt’s power and a new king’s fear lead to oppression. Despite suffering, Israel grows. Faithful midwives defy Pharaoh, preserving life, while adversity strengthens identity and advances God’s purposes.