Exodus 12:32
Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
Exodus 12:32
Pharaoh’s final injunction to bless also shows a benediction-like gesture toward the Israelites as they go. It reveals a complex moment where even the oppressor acknowledges the weight of the divine act. It also emphasizes the material and social aspects of departure: animals, households, and communal resources must accompany the people. The request for a blessing signals a recognition that blessing extends beyond personal gain into communal and relational healing.
Blessing the people affirms God’s sanctifying power over all nations and hints at God’s universal reign. The text preserves the dignity of Israel, who departs not as mere fugitives but as a people with a mission and covenantal protection. It also echoes the Bible’s pattern that divine deliverance invites praise and blessing—worship as response to mercy.
In our context, blessing others as we depart or change situations can be a practical virtue—honoring mentors, paying forward favors, or praying for those who stand in opposition. It’s a reminder that movement in faith should include blessing others and seeking their welfare, not merely self-preservation. Consider how your transitions can be marked by generosity, prayer, and blessing spoken over people left behind or those who remain in difficult circumstances.
Cross-References: Numbers 6:24-26; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 9:11-12; Philippians 4:23