The Plague of the First Born

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DAILY READING

Exodus 11:1-10

DEVOTION/REFLECTION

The Plague of the First Born

By David Thompson

As a child, at times I didn't have a great relationship to my older brother. I was a middle child and he was three years older. No matter how many times I heard the Sunday school story of Moses and the plagues, I never remember wishing the 10th plague on my brother. I don't believe anyone in modern times or even New Testament times thinks about God allowing plagues to be visited on a whole group of people. Yes, some television preachers have been heard saying that this disease or those viruses are God putting a curse on a group of people. However, as much as when the "bad guys" get it, it is tempting to attribute that to God, it is not true.

In today's passage, it is said that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart." I've read this a number of times throughout my life and believed it as written, however, with further study, it became clear to me that God doesn't work that way. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart, long before the plagues. The same can be true with us today. God doesn't cause calamity to fall on us, but rather our own choices bring consequences that are oft times bad or hurtful. And look at Pharaoh's final response to Moses and to God. He simply wanted all Hebrews (Moses and God) to go and not come back. This decision instead of going to God and repenting of his sins was a bad one.

How many times do we make a similar mistake? We try to fix it ourselves or we may even blame God and harden ourselves against God. We do this instead of doing what God wants us, and Pharaoh, to do in such bad times. God wants us not to leave His presence, but instead, He wants us to come closer to Him. When bad times hit, pray. God, through Jesus Christ, will always forgive us of our sins and draw us near to Him. In so doing we can see a situation more clearly and take the steps needed to come out of the other side of the problem. And perhaps, if we cannot take care of the problem by staying in it, He will show us a way out.

Dear God, help us today to know that you don't cause our troubles, but that you are always there to help us. Bring us nearer to you and as always forgive us of those things that too often we bring on ourselves by the hardening of our hearts. Thank you. Amen.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

The Plague of the Firstborn

In the final plague, God brings severe judgement against Egypt. He also provides deliverance for His people. The Passover becomes a significant event in the history of Israel all the way through the time of Jesus. Jesus re-interprets the Passover, pointing to Himself as the sacrificial lamb which protects us from the wrath of God. Thanks be to God for His mercy and deliverance!”

Study the Scripture

Read in  Exodus 11:1-10

 For more help use this Bible Study method

REFLECTION

Delivering Bad News 

by Mary McGinnis

This past week I received some bad news. I have breast cancer. The annual mammogram I had in mid-September showed some abnormalities. That was followed by multiple additional test; mammograms, ultrasounds and two biopsies. 

Sin is just like cancer. If it goes undetected, or we ignore its diagnosis, it continues to grow and leads to death. “For the wages of sin is death . . .” Romans 6:23a.

In today’s reading, we find God’s people enslaved in Egypt. God appointed Moses as their deliverer, confronting the Egyptian King Pharaoh who held them captive.

Just like diagnostic medical tests, God’s plan of attack was to expose the dangerous cancer in the heart of King Pharaoh through a series of 10 plagues. Each plague was meant to reveal the malignant nature of trusting in gods that are not the Only True God, the Lord, Yahweh!  

“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23b 

The final plague, the death of the firstborn of all of Egypt, and ultimately the son of Pharaoh, was a crushing blow. But Pharaoh still refused to heed God’s warnings. He was given a diagnosis, but hard heartedly, kept ignoring the truth.

Does this seem extreme or harsh to you? When my surgeon cuts me open and extracts the cancer from my body, it will be harsh. But it must be done! Healing cannot take place if we do not admit there is a problem and submit to the Master Physician’s diagnosis and treatment.

Romans 6:23 again says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God provided a way out for God’s people from the slavery of Egypt and from the devastation of the plague of the firstborn. They had to turn their hearts to the Only True God and trust in the blood of the lamb sacrificed for them! God sacrificed His firstborn, His only Son, for our sake, to deliver us from eternal death. 

“You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - SATURDAY

Confession - Prayer Practice: Spend time reflecting on the weight and seriousness of sin. Thank God for His provision – for the salvation He offers His people. Confess your sin and receive His forgiveness and mercy.

Anyone Can Be a Firstborn Child

While growing up, my brother and sister constantly reminded me that the firstborn in the family has all the advantages. I got to stay up late, eat more desserts and got to see some TV shows that they could not watch. “It just isn’t fair!” they would say.

Perhaps my siblings exaggerated, but there is some historical basis for their belief.

In antiquity in the Middle East, the firstborn received a double portion of food. During medieval Europe, the firstborn son usually inherited his father’s business. Firstborn sons were expected to carry on the family name, with health and prosperity thought critical to that end. Yes, firstborn sons did have an advantage.

Today's reading is Exodus 11:1-10, another story of firstborn children, and not a pleasant one at that. The Israelite Nation had prospered under Pharaoh’s watchful eye. They grew from a population of under 100 to well over 1.5 million people. God had plans for this nation and it was time for them to leave Egypt.

Pharaoh locked horns with God and would not let the Israelites go, in spite of nine painful plagues. The tenth, the death of Egypt’s firstborn (my brother and sister probably loved this part of the story), finally caused Pharaoh to acknowledge God and let the Israelites leave.

In Exodus 4:22, God told Moses, “Israel is my firstborn son.” It is rather Ironic that when Pharaoh would not let God’s firstborn leave, God took his vengeance by taking Egypt’s first born. Nonetheless, God saved his firstborn and freed them!

Through Jesus Christ’s atoning death, we too, as believers, are also his firstborn. Like in the reading, God saved us and freed us from sin. We are God’s favorite, his selected people to carry on the “family name” and carry out his Will.

Even my brother and sister can be “firstborn” and have all the spiritual blessings of those born first!

I hate to admit it, but, yes, it is fair!