The Death of The First Born

In one of his books, A.M. Hunter, the New Testament scholar, relates the story of a dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him something about the place to which he was going. As the doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard a scratching at the door, and he had his answer. & … More

Death

In this chapter we find the announcement of the tenth and final plague of the first born dying (v. 1). Moses probably had no definite idea of how many plagues there would be. God’s patience had run out and His final judgment, death to the first born, was His final plague. For years, the Jews had slaved for the Egyptians without pay; so now God permits them to ask for the jewels, silver and Gold of the Egyptians (vv. 2-3). This was to help pay for their long years of slavery. God gave them favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they gave them what they wished.

Like plagues three, six and nine this 10th one came without warning to Pharaoh and with no opportunity to repent. In every family the firstborn son would die in the middle of the night, from the poorest servant to the royal household, even the firstborn male cattle (vv. 4-6). The firstborn of the Israelites would have died, except they were protected by the blood of the lamb (vv. 7-8). What the Lord said came true as they saw Moses and Aaron work miracles but the Lord still made the King stubbornly refuse to let the Israelites go (vv. 9-10).

Today all people are “first-born” who have not been “twice-born.” Romans 3:23 says that “All have sinned” and Romans 6:23 says “The wages of sin is death.” Then Hebrews 9:22 says that “without the shedding of blood is no remission” for our sins.

Application

God doesn’t look down today to see if I have put blood on the doors of my house but He does look down to see if I have believed in the shed blood of His Son for my sins. That is why it is important that I have put my trust in Him?

Exodus 11:1-10 (English Standard Version)


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