Exodus 12:29–42 “The Destiny of Greed and Stubbornness”

Exodus 12:29-42 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• BETHEL MUSIC – No Longer Slaves
• By The Grace of God – Bethel Music feat. Brian & Jenn Johnson
• Elevation Worship – O come to the altar

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Moses and the Exodus | Stories of the Bible – Story for Kids
• There is Power in the Blood | HLA Wilderness Escape | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• No Matter What I’m Facing | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Let’s Trust In Jesus | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

As darkness fell, Egypt turned into a land of wailing. This was because every firstborn, from Pharaoh’s own son to the firstborn of the livestock, was struck down (vv. 29–30). At this point, Pharaoh urgently summoned Moses and Aaron and commanded them to take all the Israelites and leave Egypt (vv. 31–32). The Egyptian people also pleaded with the Israelites to leave (v. 33), and the Israelites had to take their bread dough, which had not yet risen, wrapped in their bowls as they departed (v. 34). Following Moses’ instructions, the Israelites asked their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing, and the Egyptians gave them everything they requested (vv. 35–36).

Finally, the Israelites departed from Rameses, the place of their forced labor, and arrived at Sukkoth (v. 37). (It is difficult to determine the exact locations of many places mentioned in the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan. For over 3,000 years, place names have changed multiple times, and even the geography has shifted. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately reconstruct the exact route they took from Egypt to Canaan.)

The Israelites numbered “about six hundred thousand men on foot” (v. 37). The total would have exceeded one million, including women and children. At that time, many ethnic minorities in Egypt were also living in slavery, like the Israelites. A significant number of them joined the Israelites in their escape (v. 38). They had to make bread from the unleavened dough they brought with them and eat it to stave off hunger as they traveled (v. 39). This became the reason for observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread for one week following the Passover. It allowed the descendants of Israel to experience the hardship of their ancestors, who had to eat unleavened bread while journeying from Egypt to their next campsite. This practice served as a lasting reminder of the grace of salvation God had shown to the Israelites.

From the time Jacob’s descendants—seventy in number—first came to Egypt, until they left, four hundred and thirty years had passed (vv. 40–41). The Israelites called the night of the Passover “the night of the Lord,” and a tradition was established to stay awake through the night in remembrance of the salvation the Lord had granted (v. 42).

Meditation:

When people read the story of the final plague, they often ask, “How could God be so cruel?” But to arrive at the right answer, we must first ask the right question. As we read this account, the proper questions we should ask are: “How can humanity, trapped in sin, become so hardened?” and “How much disaster can one leader’s stubbornness bring upon an entire people?”

Throughout human history, we have repeatedly witnessed cases where a national leader’s excessive greed or obstinate pride has led an entire nation to ruin. Those appointed as leaders of a group or organization must read this story with fear and trembling and examine themselves carefully. Those who belong to such groups or organizations must pray for their leaders because a leader’s decisions can have profound and far-reaching effects on those they lead.

This story also reminds us how terrifying it is to ultimately face God’s wrath. Pharaoh rejected every opportunity to repent and encountered God only at the end of his sin. When one persistently refuses God’s goodness, the following judgment is beyond imagination. The greater the grace given, the heavier the responsibility for rejecting it. While there is still time, we must lay everything down and kneel before God.

The story of the final plague also points us to the blood of Jesus Christ. He was crucified and killed at the very hour the Passover lamb was slaughtered. Just as the Israelites had applied the lamb’s blood to the doorposts and lintel, so we, in our baptism, have marked our foreheads with the blood of Jesus Christ. That blood sets us free from slavery to Satan and protects us from the angel of death. We are now set free as God’s priestly people.

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for nations that suffer under their leaders’ greed and stubbornness. Prevent those leaders from walking the path of Pharaoh. Help them recognize that a true Sovereign reigns above them so that they may lead with fear and trembling. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God is patient, but His justice is real. When leaders or people stubbornly reject God’s grace, it leads to pain and loss. But through the blood of Jesus—the true Passover Lamb—we are set free to live as God’s people. God invites us to trust Him, humble our hearts, and remember His great love that saves and protects.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why did the Israelites leave Egypt so quickly without even letting their bread rise?
  • What did the Israelites put on their doors to be safe during the last plague?
  • What does it mean to trust God even when it’s scary?
    
• For Youth
  
  • Pharaoh had many chances to change but didn’t. Why do you think people sometimes refuse to change, even when they know they’re wrong?
  • How can one leader’s decisions affect many people? Can you think of a time when that happened in history or your life?
  • What does the Passover story teach us about Jesus and what His death means for our freedom?