How can Exodus 11:6 inspire us to trust in God's plans and timing? Reading the Passage “Then there will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again.” (Exodus 11:6) The Context: A Moment Before Deliverance - Nine plagues have already struck Egypt, each demonstrating the LORD’s supremacy over the nation’s idols. - The tenth plague is announced at God’s precise moment—“about midnight” (Exodus 11:4)—showing deliberate, controlled timing. - God promises a sorrow so intense that it will mark history, yet He also promises complete protection for His covenant people (Exodus 11:7). - The verse records literal events that unfolded exactly as God declared (Exodus 12:29-30). What This Reveals About God’s Plans and Timing - Sovereign orchestration: Nothing happens randomly; each plague built toward this climactic judgment (Exodus 7 – 11). - Faithful fulfillment: God’s word to Abraham—“I will judge the nation they serve” (Genesis 15:14)—is now coming to pass. - Perfect precision: The final blow occurs at an exact hour God set, prefiguring later redemptive milestones achieved “at the appointed time” (Habakkuk 2:3; Galatians 4:4). - Distinction between the righteous and the wicked reinforces His covenant care (Exodus 11:7; Malachi 3:18). How This Inspires Our Trust Today - If God managed Israel’s deliverance down to the minute, He can oversee the details of our lives (Psalm 31:15). - The cry of Egypt shows that God’s justice will ultimately prevail; we need not force outcomes (Romans 12:19). - Waiting seasons are purposeful. Israel’s centuries-long slavery ended exactly when God had determined (Exodus 12:41; Ecclesiastes 3:1). - God cushions His people even while judging evil, assuring us of protection while His larger story unfolds (Psalm 91:7). - The same God who controlled midnight in Egypt controls every “midnight” we face, so we persevere in faith (2 Peter 3:9). Practices to Anchor Trust in God’s Timing - Recall past deliverances in Scripture and in personal life; write them down as concrete reminders. - Meditate on passages highlighting divine timing—Galatians 4:4; John 7:30; Acts 17:26. - Sing or recite worship texts that emphasize God’s sovereignty (e.g., Psalm 46, Psalm 105). - Surrender daily plans in prayerful submission, acknowledging His ultimate control (Proverbs 3:5-6). - Encourage fellow believers with testimonies of God’s timely interventions (Hebrews 10:24-25). |