Exodus 12:31-42
31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” 33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. 40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. 40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
The exodus finally was at hand after the destroyer took the lives of Egypt’s firstborn. Pharaoh finally let God’s people go to worship, this time allowing them to take everything and everyone without condition, except that Moses bless him also. The people of Egypt also wanted them gone, for the plagues of judgement had decimated the land and taken their inheritance of the firstborn as well, and they feared for their lives. God’s people hurriedly took bread without yeast to soften and many riches asked from their Egyptian neighbors, plundering them in return for their bondage for four hundred and thirty years. It was exactly those number of years to the day since they came into Egypt as welcome guests of Joseph that they left forced labor with Moses as free men and women once more. Israel as a people had suffered greatly, but also had multiplied even more greatly. It is interesting to note that the people are called the armies of God now as they are on their way to fight for their promised land. This night of deliverance became a time throughout time to seriously reflect on His deliverance in remembrance of God’s goodness. We likewise should always reflect on the gospel of our greater salvation from God’s wrath and the bondage of sin He has delivered us from for eternity! He allows us to share in His sufferings with a future and a hope of promise which cannot be broken and will just as certainly come to fruition as Israel’s promise to be set free after four hundred years (Genesis 15:13-14, Acts 7:6-7) to serve and worship Him. We will serve and worship our great God and Savior before His face in the New Jerusalem with no more suffering or sadness, delivered forever in grace and mercy of which this account in Exodus was a mere foreshadowing of a far greater deliverance to worship.
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