Exodus 11: The Final Warning

Key Verse: Exodus 11:5"And every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle."

This is it. The final warning.

Pharaoh has resisted God again and again. His people have suffered through nine devastating plagues—blood, frogs, gnats, flies, diseased livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness. Egypt is ruined. Yet Pharaoh’s heart remains hard.

Now, God declares the tenth and most devastating plague: the death of every firstborn in Egypt.

No one will be spared—from the palace to the poorest home. The firstborn son of Pharaoh, the one who would inherit the throne, will die. The firstborn of every family, every servant, every animal, will perish. Egypt will wake to a night of unimaginable grief.

But Israel will be set apart. Not even a dog will growl against them. God is making a distinction—His people will be protected.

This is the final moment between Moses and Pharaoh. Moses, the man who once feared Pharaoh, now stands before him with confidence. He is no longer just a shepherd—he is a prophet of the living God.

"All these servants of yours will come down to me, bowing themselves to me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that, I will go out.” (Exodus 11:8)

Then, Moses leaves Pharaoh’s presence—in hot anger.

The time for mercy is over. The final judgment is set. Pharaoh has had every opportunity to humble himself, but he has refused. Now, the price will be paid.

A Lesson for Us

Pharaoh’s story is a warning. Every time he resisted God, his heart became harder. Every opportunity for repentance became another excuse.

This is what sin does. The longer we resist God, the harder it becomes to surrender.

God is patient. He gives warnings. He offers mercy. But there comes a time when judgment must come.

Pharaoh had chance after chance to repent, but he chose rebellion. What about us?

Will we respond to God’s voice today, or will we, like Pharaoh, wait until it’s too late?