The Egyptians’ Change of Heart
How did the 10 plagues affect Pharaoh’s people? That’s an interesting question and the Scripture gives us a few insights.
First, after several of God’s judgments fell upon Egypt, the Egyptians started to admire Moses.
3 (The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.) Exodus 11:3 NIV)
Secondly, when warned 24 hours ahead of time about the deadly hail, several of Pharaoh’s officials responded wisely. They heeded the Lord’s good advice. Perhaps their slaves started putting up emergency shelters for the livestock. Maybe they worked through the night. As the time for the hailstorm grew near, everyone’s stress level went up. The owner would have brought the more precious animals in from the fields first. Once the Egyptians ran out of shelters, the less valued animals would be left outside to die.
Startlingly, the Bible says,
20 Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. (Exodus 9:20 NIV)
Interesting. The Bible says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).
Third, right before the Israelites left, Moses instructed the enslaved Hebrews to ask their Egyptian neighbors for gifts.
35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.36 The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36 NIV)
These gifts helped furnish and decorate the Tabernacle which Moses built in the wilderness, according to God’s instructions.in Exodus 25:1-16.
As slaves, the Hebrews didn’t have any gold or silver jewelry or gemstones either. They also didn’t own any clothes of fine linen or scarlet yarn. The Egyptians supplied all the materials needed to furnish the Tabernacle.
Plague #10:
- Death of the Firstborn:
- This deadly plague only killed 1st born males, both cattle and people. Pharaoh himself was alive the next morning. So it means Egypt’s ruler once had an older brother. But his oldest son died when the death angel passed through
30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. (Exodus 12:30 NIV)
On the ship’s sail is an Egyptian Ankh, also called “the key of life.” It was often placed inside Egyptian sarcophagi to guarantee life after death for the deceased. The Egyptians saw death as s journey into the afterlife, so the image of a sailing ship seems appropriate.
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- Humiliated Egyptian Deities: The gods Horus and Amun-Ra were seen as special protectors of the Pharaoh, as well as Nekhbet, the white vulture goddess. The Egyptian saw the cobra goddess Renenutet as their protector, but she too was powerless.
But the only deity in Egypt offering protection from the angel of death? The God of Moses.
Other People Chose to Leave Egypt Too
During the night, Pharaoh said “Leave!” and a mass exodus began. But the Israelites didn’t travel alone. The Scriptures say, “Many other people went up with them…” (Exodus 12:31-39).
So I wonder; did some Egyptians leave their country along with the former Jewish slaves? After suffering through the plagues did some of Pharaoh’s people pull up stakes? Maybe. Being wiped out financially might have made it easier to pack up what remained and join Moses.
Because all the Egyptians now knew a vital truth.
Only one God ruled Egypt; and He was now leaving the country with His people.
Resources:
The Exodus Plagues: Judgment on Egypt’s Gods.
Ancient Egypt began with the first king, Narmer in 3100 BC and ended with the death of Anthony’s Cleopatra in 30 BC. During those centuries, the Egyptians worshiped between 1500 to 2000 gods and goddesses.
So I apologize. Because I may have failed to mention one or two.
