Exodus 12:29-36

²⁹ At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. ³⁰ And Pharaoh got up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great outcry in Egypt, because there was not a household where someone was not dead. ³¹ Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go away from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. ³² Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go, and bless me also!” ³³ The Egyptians strongly urged the people to go away from the land quickly. Because they said, “We are all dead.” ³⁴ So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. ³⁵ The sons of Israel had also done as Moses told them, because they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. ³⁶ And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked for. This is how they plundered the Egyptians.

sendoff

The use of military terms throughout this narrative points to an interesting thought. The exodus was not so much an escape from Egypt as it was a professional strategic advance toward the promised land. God had miraculously provided the means for that sendoff. First, he stayed true to his threat, and sent the destroyer to the households of all the Egyptians. The firstborn of every family died, from the palace to the dungeon – even the pasture. The Egyptians got the point. They said “We are all dead.” So they had every reason to strongly urge the Israelites to leave… and, “here, take my money with you.” So, the sons of Israel plundered the Egyptians.

When the Israelites would commemorate this night, they would celebrate the feast of unleavened bread, because they would leave so quickly that they would have to leave out the processing time for leavening their bread. The quick efficiency of their departure also spoke of professional strategic deployment.

LORD, you have rescued us from the bondage of sin. Now, may we follow your call swiftly to advance toward all that you have promised for us.