Exodus 11: “The Final Warning Before Judgment”
1. God Announces the Final Plague
“Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt.” (Ex 11:1)
This is not said in anger, but with finality.
God has:
Warned repeatedly
Given signs
Offered mercy
Allowed repentance
Now the time for decision has ended.
Catholic teaching is very clear:
There comes a moment when refusal has consequences.
St Augustine of Hippo writes:
“God’s patience is great, but it is not endless; judgment comes when mercy is despised.”
(Sermons)
2. Pharaoh Will Drive Them Out
“Afterward he will let you go from here; when he lets you go, he will drive you away completely.” (v. 1)
This fulfils what God promised earlier:
Pharaoh will not permit freedom
He will force it
What pride refused in obedience, fear will surrender in defeat.
This teaches a sobering truth:
Those who will not yield to truth may one day yield to disaster.
3. God Commands the People to Ask for Silver and Gold
“Let every man ask of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, silver and gold.” (v. 2)
This is not theft.
It is restoration.
For generations:
Israel laboured without wages
Egypt grew rich from their suffering
God now restores justice.
The Church has always taught:
God is concerned with justice as well as mercy.
St Augustine of Hippo explains:
“What the Egyptians gave was not stolen, but returned; God repays the labour of the oppressed.”
(City of God)
Spiritually, the Fathers also saw this as:
The Church taking what is good from the world
Using it for God’s glory
4. God Gives His People Favour
“The Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians.” (v. 3)
Fear has turned into respect.
Even Pharaoh’s servants now recognise:
God’s power
Moses’ authority
This shows:
God can change hearts suddenly — but not always save them from consequences.
5. Moses Announces the Judgment Publicly
“About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt.” (v. 4)
This is no longer negotiation.
This is proclamation.
Midnight symbolises:
Darkness
Vulnerability
The end of human control
The Fathers note that Christ will later be born at night, and rise before dawn — judgment and salvation often arrive in darkness.
6. The Death of the Firstborn Is Announced
“Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die.” (v. 5)
This is the most difficult verse in Exodus.
The Church does not soften it, but explains it carefully.
What this judgment means
Pharaoh tried to kill Israel’s children (Exodus 1)
Egypt participated in or tolerated this injustice
The punishment mirrors the crime
This is measured justice, not cruelty.
St Gregory of Nyssa explains:
“The punishment reflects the sin, so that the cause of death may be recognised.”
(Life of Moses)
7. Why the Firstborn?
The firstborn represented:
Strength
Future
Pride
Inheritance
Egypt trusted its power and continuity.
God shows:
Life itself belongs to Him.
The Fathers stress: this is not random violence, but judgment after long refusal.
8. A Great Cry Will Rise in Egypt
“There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been.” (v. 6)
This echoes earlier cries:
Israel cried under slavery
Egypt now cries under judgment
History is reversed.
St Bede the Venerable comments:
“Those who would not hear the cry of the oppressed are made to cry themselves.”
(Commentary on Exodus)
9. Israel Will Be Completely Spared
“But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel.” (v. 7)
This vivid image means total protection.
The difference between Egypt and Israel is now absolute.
Catholic theology is clear:
Salvation involves separation — not superiority, but belonging.
Israel is spared because it belongs to God.
10. God Makes the Distinction Clear
“That you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.” (v. 7)
This distinction is not racial or moral.
It is covenantal.
The Church teaches the same:
Those in Christ are protected by grace
Not because they are better
But because they belong to Him
11. Pharaoh’s Servants Will Beg for Mercy
“All these your servants shall come down to me and bow to me.” (v. 8)
Pride will be humbled completely.
Those who mocked God’s word will beg its messenger.
This fulfils Scripture again and again:
“Every knee shall bow.”
12. Moses Leaves in Anger
“And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.” (v. 8)
This is righteous anger, not loss of control.
Moses is angry because:
Innocent people will suffer
All of this was avoidable
St John Chrysostom explains:
“The servant of God is angry not for himself, but for the destruction pride brings upon others.”
(Homilies on Exodus)
13. God Explains Why Pharaoh Still Refuses
“Pharaoh will not listen to you, that My wonders may be multiplied.” (v. 9)
This does not mean God enjoys suffering.
It means:
Pharaoh’s refusal will fully reveal evil
God’s power will be unmistakable
No one will doubt who saves
The Cross works the same way:
Evil does its worst
God brings salvation from it
14. The Chapter Ends Without Action
“Moses and Aaron did all these wonders… yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.” (v. 10)
This silence is deliberate.
Exodus 11 ends in tension.
The night is coming.
The next chapter will reveal:
Who is saved
How salvation happens
What God requires
Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 11
| Theme | Catholic Meaning |
| Final warning | Mercy has a limit |
| Justice | Punishment reflects sin |
| Restoration | God repays the oppressed |
| Covenant | Belonging brings protection |
| Separation | Salvation distinguishes |
| Silence | Judgment often comes quietly |
Christ at the Centre of Exodus 11
The Fathers unanimously saw this chapter pointing forward to Christ:
Firstborn death → Christ the Firstborn who dies
Midnight → the hour of darkness at the Cross
Judgment → mercy through sacrifice
Separation → those marked by blood are spared
St Augustine summarises:
“What Egypt suffered by justice, Christ bore by mercy.”
(Sermons)
Spiritual Application
Do not ignore repeated warnings.
God’s patience is mercy, not permission.
Belonging to God matters.
Justice and mercy are never opposed.
Prepare the heart before the night comes.
Closing Prayer
Lord God of justice and mercy,
You warn before You judge
and call before You strike.
Give us hearts that listen while there is time,
and grant us refuge in the saving work of Christ.
May we never harden our hearts,
but trust in Your mercy
and remain faithful to Your covenant,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 