11:1
We are reaching the climax, though it will not occur in this chapter. Previously God has told Abraham that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened. This time Moses is told that there is one last plague and after it Pharaoh will let the people go. Nor would there be any bargaining on Pharaoh’s part. On previous occasions he had tried to limit the departure to just the men, he had always been looking for them coming back. This time he would drive them away completely, he would never want to see them again.
11:2,3
Moses was also to speak to the people, to prepare them for the departure. They were to ask their neighbours for items of gold and silver. The word translated “jewellery” is literally “things”, it is the mention of gold and silver that lead to it being translated as jewellery. So the people were given favour in the land of Egypt. The Israelites were not stealing from the Egyptians, the Egyptians would give it gladly. Moreover Moses was held in high esteem in the land, “in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people”. Why was this? It may be related to his earlier time in the palace, but this was some forty years ago, so it seems unlikely. It is more probable that it is because of the signs that he did. Pharaoh may have hardened his heart, but the people were more aware.
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