And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
Pharaoh never faced Moses in person again after threatening his life; he sent his nobles with the command instead. Yet the text rightly calls this being summoned by Pharaoh, for his word compelled them to go. The same God who hardened his iron heart has now broken it, and his desperate haste to remove every objection betrays the change.
AI summary
Midnight added terror to terror: the three nights of darkness had already robbed them of rest, and now when they hoped for quiet, the destroying angel struck. God slew their firstborn as judgment for slaying Hebrew children. Prince and peasant fell alike, for He respects no persons; the obstinate infidelity of Pharaoh brought this calamity upon thousands of dear lives.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 12:29-36
The Egyptians pressed the Israelites urgently to leave at once, crying out that they were all dead men. Their firstborn lay slain, and they believed the remaining plagues would strike them next unless Israel departed immediately. Their terror was just, earned by their own refusal to let God's people go.
AI summary