We must note that the first three verses in this chapter are a continuation of the time when Pharaoh threatened Moses with his life, Exodus 10:29. God promises one more plague and after which Pharaoh will let His people go, Exodus 11:1.
Keil, in his commentary, concerning the words, translates the meaning of the words, ‘he will drive you away completely, as follows.
‘When he lets you go altogether, he will even drive you away.’
Earlier, back in Exodus 3:22, it was only the women who were mentioned as requesting treasures of the Egyptians, but here the men are also included, Exodus 11:2.
Notice they won’t leave empty-handed, Exodus 11:2 / Exodus 3:21-22, all the articles of gold and silver would be later used in the construction of the tabernacle, Exodus 12:35-36.
Durham, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Egyptians thus are ’picked clean’, Exodus 3:22 / Exodus 12:36, by Israel as a result of yet another action by Yahweh on behalf of his people, demonstrating the power of his Presence.’
These instructions are given to the Hebrews concerning the things they need to do in preparation for their departure from Egypt, Exodus 11:3 / Exodus 3:21-22.
Fields, in his commentary, asks the following.
‘Did Moses really write this? “Why not? It was the truth. Compare the way Paul wrote of himself, 2 Corinthians 10:8-14, and the way Nehemiah wrote of himself (Nehemiah 5:18-19).’
Remember, God had promised Abraham that his posterity would come out of the land of those who enslaved them, and they would leave with many treasures, Genesis 15:14. Here, we see this being fulfilled.
Moses now addresses his people and tells them that about midnight the LORD himself will go throughout Egypt Exodus 11:4. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die.
Including the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well, Exodus 11:5. This plague was going to hit Egypt in a very personal way, the firstborn is a reference to the male children, Exodus 11:5.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It was the male children of the Israelites that Pharaoh had killed previously, Exodus 1:15-22.’
Here we find the tenth and last plague, the death of the firstborn males. This was a judgment on ‘Isis’, the protector of children. In this plague, God was teaching the Israelites a deep spiritual lesson which pointed to Christ.
In Egyptian culture, the firstborn son was the hereditary centre of reference to the financial and social prestige of the family. All other children of the family looked to the firstborn as the future leader of the family. By killing the firstborn, God was effectively bringing Egypt to its knees.
There is going to be loud wailing throughout Egypt, worse than there has ever been or ever will be again, Exodus 11:6. However, among the Israelites, not a dog will bark at any person or animal. God was doing this to demonstrate the distinction between Egypt and Israel, Exodus 11:7.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The writer here sees the Exodus as an illustration of the eschatological victory of Yahweh, that is, as a type of the eternal judgment. Once the Israelites had cried under the whips of the slave-masters, but now the oppressors cry from the judgment inflicted by God.’
All of Pharaoh’s officials will come to Him, bow down before Him and say, go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh, Exodus 11:8.
Notice again that God told Moses that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen, Exodus 11:9. This shows how power-hungry Pharaoh is; he’s proud and arrogant and will go to any length to keep his position of power.
Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but notice once again the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let the Israelites go out of his country, Exodus 11:10.
Pharaoh had continued to refuse the right of God’s firstborn, Israel, to worship Him, Exodus 4:22-23, and He will now experience the appropriate judgment, the death of his and Egypt’s first-born, including even cattle.
Earlier, Pharaoh told them never to come to him again, or he would die, Exodus 10:29, but Moses basically says, then let your servants appear in my presence. This, of course, happened, with even Pharaoh himself joining in the begging, Exodus 12:30-33.
Sailhamer, in his commentary, says the following.
‘By means of the last plague, then, the writer is able to bring the Exodus narratives into the larger framework of the whole Pentateuch and particularly that of the early chapters of Genesis. In the midst of the judgment of death, God provided a way of salvation for the promised seed, Genesis 3:15. Like Enoch, Exodus 5:22-23, Noah, Exodus 6:9, and Lot, Exodus 19:16-19, those who walk in God’s way will be saved from death and destruction.’