THE FIRSTBORN WILL DIE

BOOK OF EXODUS

CHAPTER 11

            There you are!  Glad you’re back so soon to find out what happens next in our story about Moses in Egypt and the plagues that God has brought upon Pharaoh. 

            It’s time in God’s plan to bring everything to a memorable conclusion for Pharaoh.  The Lord said to Moses, I’m going to bring just one more plague to Pharaoh and Egypt and after that, he’ll let you go.  When he lets you go, he will throw you out altogether.

            Go and tell the people to ask their neighbors for jewels of silver and gold.  And God gave his people approval in the Egyptians eyes and Moses was very respected by Pharaoh’s servants and people.

            Moses told the people, both the Egyptians and the children of Israel, This is what the Lord says:  About midnight I will go out amidst Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on the throne to the firstborn of the maidservant that works behind the mill and all the firstborn of the beasts. 

            There will be a dreadful cry throughout all the land of Egypt like there has never been before or will ever be again.  But of the children of Israel, none will be harmed so that you’ll know how the Lord feels differently about the Egyptians and Israel.  And all of Pharaoh’s servants shall bow themselves to me and say, Get out and all the people that follow you, and after that I will go out.  Moses was very angered when he left Pharaoh.

            Then the Lord told Moses, Pharaoh will not listen to you so that my wonders may grow in the land of Egypt.  Moses and Aaron did all these wonders in front of Pharaoh and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he wouldn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.

            Let’s talk about Moses’ character for a moment.  It bears mentioning that Moses believes strongly in justice.  Don’t forget that forty years earlier, he killed an Egyptian that was beating a Hebrew slave, and Moses, even though he was by blood a Hebrew, was raised as an Egyptian.  However, in the name of justice, he felt it necessary to defend righteousness.  It’s no wonder that by the time he delivered the announcements of 10 plagues on Pharaoh and Egypt, that he would become a little angry with Pharaoh.  And it’s no wonder that God chose Moses for the job of delivering His people out of bondage in Egypt. 

            When we come back next time, we’ll find out more about this last plague on Pharaoh, and how the children of Israel were protected from it.  It’s called the Passover.  Be sure to join us again for another exciting story at Daily Bread.

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