Finally, the Firstborn

Exodus 11

All of these plagues, which culminate in this final and most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn—while directed at the Egyptians, constitutes God's condemnation, not only of the Egyptian religious system, but of the underlying condition of all of sinful humanity. The Pharaoh exalted himself above the people, and was considered to be a god. He was a central figure in the lives of the Egyptian people. This position was passed on from father to son, thereby perpetuating this systematic deception through each succeeding generation. This prideful arrogance is of the same spirit as Lucifer's, whose heart lusted after the throne of the very God Himself. This same spirit continues to work to promote this deception, in various forms, through the lives of the unbelieving and disobedient. … the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. (1 John 5: 19).

“You will not surely die...you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3: 4-5). Beginning with this first satanic appeal in the garden, up to this present day, every man has chosen to brazenly contend with the Living God in the face of His revelations. Through the previous plagues, Pharaoh witnessed God's power, and still, stubbornly refused to release God's people from bondage. Through the death of his firstborn, Pharaoh soon realized that he was powerless to stop the death of his own son. The God of Moses demonstrated beyond any doubt to Pharaoh, and to all the world, that only He has the power and ability to take life and to give it. He is the One true God who has life and death in His hand, and it is Him who we should fear. Pharaoh came face to face with the futility of competing against God and His eternal purposes. But in the end, this realization only enraged Pharaoh, causing him to attempt to take vengeance on God's people by pursuing them into the wilderness, only to result in the destruction of himself and the entire Egyptian army that was with him. This same pride and hardness of heart is common to all men. Is there a place in our own hearts where we are enraged over the issue of God's sovereignty?

The night in which the Lord struck down the firstborn became known as the passover, and was to be a solemn observance to all Israel for all generations. God gave instructions to the children of Israel that each family should keep a lamb without blemish, kill it, and put the blood on the door posts of their houses. When the Lord sees the blood, He will passover that house, and the plague would not come to them. All of this is a wonderful vision of the plan of redemption and deliverance that God provides for each of us. That which is born of Adam must die, but the firstborn of God will be free and live. Jesus is our passover lamb, giving us life and hope. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness as He imparts His spirit within us, making us sons of God. May we all acknowledge and humbly submit to God's authority over us today. He is God, and we are not. Glory, honor, and power are His forevermore!

~ Jim Krauser