Exodus 12:31 marks a pivotal moment in the story of the Exodus. It signifies the culmination of the ten plagues and the final, devastating blow dealt to the Egyptians: the death of the firstborn. Let's break down the verse:
"He called for Moses and Aaron by night...": Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, who had repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, is now urgently summoning Moses and Aaron. The fact that it's happening "by night" emphasizes the urgency and fear gripping Pharaoh.
"...and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel...": Pharaoh is reversing his previous decisions and commanding Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite population to leave Egypt immediately. He's essentially expelling them. This shows a complete surrender on Pharaoh's part due to the immense suffering the plagues have inflicted on Egypt.
"...and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said!": This is the core of the verse. Pharaoh acknowledges that the Israelites should leave to worship Yahweh (God), which was their repeated request throughout the negotiations with him. The phrase "as you have said!" underscores that this is exactly what Moses and Aaron had been demanding all along. Pharaoh is finally conceding to their terms.
In essence, the verse means:
Pharaoh, finally broken by the death of the firstborn, urgently tells Moses and Aaron to take all the Israelites and leave Egypt. He's giving them permission (and even a command) to go and worship their God, Yahweh, just as they had been asking. This marks the beginning of the Exodus, the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land.
Significance:
God's Power: The verse demonstrates the overwhelming power of God to overcome even the most stubborn and powerful ruler.
Fulfillment of God's Promise: God had promised to free the Israelites from slavery, and this verse marks the beginning of that promise being fulfilled.
Turning Point: This is a turning point in the biblical narrative, transitioning from slavery and oppression to freedom and the establishment of a covenant relationship with God.
Pharaoh's Defeat: It highlights the complete defeat of Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, proving the supremacy of Yahweh.
Exodus 12:31 marks a pivotal moment in the story of the Exodus. It signifies the culmination of the ten plagues and the final, devastating blow dealt to the Egyptians: the death of the firstborn. Let's break down the verse:
"He called for Moses and Aaron by night...": Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, who had repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, is now urgently summoning Moses and Aaron. The fact that it's happening "by night" emphasizes the urgency and fear gripping Pharaoh.
"...and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel...": Pharaoh is reversing his previous decisions and commanding Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite population to leave Egypt immediately. He's essentially expelling them. This shows a complete surrender on Pharaoh's part due to the immense suffering the plagues have inflicted on Egypt.
"...and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said!": This is the core of the verse. Pharaoh acknowledges that the Israelites should leave to worship Yahweh (God), which was their repeated request throughout the negotiations with him. The phrase "as you have said!" underscores that this is exactly what Moses and Aaron had been demanding all along. Pharaoh is finally conceding to their terms.
In essence, the verse means:
Pharaoh, finally broken by the death of the firstborn, urgently tells Moses and Aaron to take all the Israelites and leave Egypt. He's giving them permission (and even a command) to go and worship their God, Yahweh, just as they had been asking. This marks the beginning of the Exodus, the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land.
Significance:
God's Power: The verse demonstrates the overwhelming power of God to overcome even the most stubborn and powerful ruler.
Fulfillment of God's Promise: God had promised to free the Israelites from slavery, and this verse marks the beginning of that promise being fulfilled.
Turning Point: This is a turning point in the biblical narrative, transitioning from slavery and oppression to freedom and the establishment of a covenant relationship with God.
Pharaoh's Defeat: It highlights the complete defeat of Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, proving the supremacy of Yahweh.