The Selfsame Day

The Story

Long before Israel ever went to Egypt, God told Abraham something hard. Your descendants will be strangers in a land that isn’t theirs. They will be slaves there for four hundred years. But afterward, I will judge that nation, and they will come out with great wealth.

Generations came and went. Joseph’s family moved to Egypt, grew into a nation, and became slaves. They made bricks under harsh taskmasters and cried out to God.

Then God sent Moses. After ten plagues, the last one struck in the middle of the night. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and finally said it: “Rise up, and get you forth from among my people.” Go.

The Egyptians urged them to hurry. Israel left so quickly they carried their bread dough before it had risen, wrapped in their clothes on their shoulders. The Egyptians gave them silver, gold, and clothing. About six hundred thousand men walked out, besides women and children.

And the Bible notes a remarkable detail. Israel had lived in Egypt four hundred and thirty years. And “even the selfsame day,” at the end of those years, all the hosts of the Lord went out of Egypt.

Reflection