The Largest Mass Funerals in World History
February 1, 2021
Commentary
Moses called all of the elders of Israel together and repeated to them the instructions for the Passover that God had explained to him (vv. 25-27). Having witnessed the previous nine terrifying plagues that had come upon the Egyptians the Israelites were quick to do what God had commanded and depart (v. 28).
Just as God had promised, judgment fell and great sorrow gripped the nation as God destroyed the sons of families in every stratum of society, from royalty to political prisoners (vv. 29-30). That night the king, his officials, and everyone else in Egypt got up and started crying bitterly. In every Egyptian home, someone was dead. It must have created one of the largest mass funerals in the history of the earth.
In response to the tragedy, Pharaoh released the Israelites that they might go without any restrictions. He even demanded that they leave (vv. 31-32). The king told Moses and Aaron , “Get your people out of my country and leave us alone! Go and worship the Lord, as you have asked. Take your sheep, goats, and cattle, and get out, but ask your God to be kind to me.” Also the Egyptian people urged the Israelites to leave quickly for fear they too would all die (v. 33). In fact we see (Ex. 3:21-22) fulfilled as the Egyptians were willing to do anything to hasten their departure, even to giving away valuable jewelry and clothing (vv. 34-36). In this way they carried away the wealth of the Egyptians when they left. The Israelites quickly made some bread dough and put it in pans. They did not mix any yeast in the dough to make it rise. They simply wrapped cloth around the pans and carried them on their shoulders.
Application
How would I rate myself as it pertains to how quick or slow I do what the Lord wants me to do. It says that the Israelites moved quickly. Delayed obedience is really disobedience!
Exodus 12:25– 36 (NET)
25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give to you, just as he said, you must observe this ceremony. 26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ — 27 then you will say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, when he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, when he struck Egypt and delivered our households.’” The people bowed down low to the ground, 28 and the Israelites went away and did exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.
29 It happened at midnight—the Lord attacked 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 prison, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 30 Pharaoh got up in the night, along with all his servants and all Egypt, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no house in which there was not someone dead. 31 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron in the night and said, “Get up, get out from among my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, serve the Lord as you have requested! 32 Also, take your flocks and your herds, just as you have requested, and leave. But bless me also.”
33 The Egyptians were urging the people on, in order to send them out of the land quickly, for they were saying, “We are all dead!” 34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, with their kneading troughs bound up in their clothing on their shoulders. 35 Now the Israelites had done as Moses told them—they had requested from the Egyptians silver and gold items and clothing. 36 The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they gave them whatever they wanted, and so they plundered Egypt.
Illustration: Police Chief Told by His Mom to Quit Chewing Gum
When his pager went off during a council meeting in Knoxville, Tenn., police chief Phil Keith was startled to see that the call was from his mother. Concerned, he rushed to the press table and phoned her. “Phil Keith, are you chewing gum!” asked his mom, who had been watching the council meeting on cable TV. “Yes, ma’am.” “Well, it looks awful. Spit it out.” Keith dutifully removed the gun and went back to his meeting. (Knoxville News Sentinel).