Exodus 11

This had to be the last time Moses spoke to Pharaoh.  Pharaoh had already threatened his life.  Through Moses, God spoke about the final plague, the death of every first born.

I almost skipped over the part about the Israelites demanding silver and gold from their Egyptian neighbors.  In reading a commentary it said that the Israelites were so happy to leave under any terms that they would not have had any problem leaving without demanding their wages.  But God did take issue with that and ordered them to demand it.  It said, "One way or the other, God will give redress to the injured, who in a humble silence commit their cause to him."  I don't know about you, but I have many times, whether at work or in relationship, have accepted my lot as someone taken advantage of or unfairly treated.  I just accepted it as if there were no other choice.  Maybe even as something that a "good christian" does. But God says no.  He will fight for us.  He will see that the wages are paid one way or the other.  Exodus tells us that the Israelites found favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and that Moses was considered "great."  I love a good underdog story.

Moses tells Pharaoh of the plague.  At midnight the next night the first born of every household will die.  It is not something that Moses needs to raise his staff over and declare.  The Lord himself will do it.  Nothing can stop it.  Can you imagine what that would be like as a parent?  Pharaoh couldn't hide it.  His advisers respect Moses.  They would have spread the word.  You would have known the fate of your child and you would have spent every moment watching and waiting.  I'm sure every Egyptian that could get to Pharaoh to beg for their child's life tried, but Pharaoh's heart was hard.  Their fate was sealed.