Exodus 11 gives the account of God’s last warning to Pharoah. It was the final warning before the judgment of the last plague from God. Some may ask: Why did God allow so many warnings before the last plague? Answer: God is a merciful and longsuffering God. Today, many still do not take the warning of God’s coming judgment seriously. Rather, they see it only as fearmongering.

1. How the warning was issued (Exod 11:1-3). Prophecies given are not meant to stir our curiosity. We are to respond to them, and in turn warn others.

God instructed His people to ask for (“borrow”) jewels of silver and gold from the Egyptians. God gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, and the Egyptians respected him and gave willingly as a form of payment for their work as slaves. The Israelites acted on God’s instruction, and were prepared to leave Egypt.

Today, we too must live godly lives and bear a good testimony for God, and warn others of God’s judgment to come.

2. A message in the warning (Exod 11:4-7). The last warning was a message of death. Death was the judgment of God, death of all the firstborn of men and beasts. In His judgment, God put “a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (Exod 11:7). Nothing could harm the Israelites. The death of the firstborn was only for the Egyptians. 

God’s message and warning to unbelievers today is similar and urgent. There will be death, followed by God’s judgment of eternal death. God is just. He must punish sin. He has not judged the world because He is longsuffering. He is waiting for more to repent of their sins. If you repent, and receive Jesus, you will be saved. This message is not just a warning, but a message of hope and deliverance.

3. Response to the warning (Exod 11:8-10). Pharaoh’s servants responded by chasing Moses out. The Egyptians did not respond by saying, “Take us with you.”

How do you respond to the warnings of God? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and be saved. You can be counted among the people of God. Having believed, we must warn others of the coming judgment, and share with them the way of escape.