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!

God Spares His Firstborn Son -- Exodus 11:1-10

There are a couple verses in these ten assigned for today which grabbed my attention. "There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." (Exodus 11:6-7)

The words, "Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel," are striking. On a night when the Angel of death moved throughout the land claiming the first born of every Egyptian family, even of the livestock, sounds of mourning and anguish filled the air. Yet, among the Israelite community not a sound was heard. Even the usual incessant barking of dogs was non-existent.

That night, the Lord made a distinction between the two countries. The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, but made the Egyptian people think favorably of the Israelites and Moses. The blood of the Lamb, God's firstborn son, saved the Israelites this night. God's first born triumphed, Pharaoh's firstborn perished. This is a classic example of good vs evil.

Pharaoh wouldn't believe there was anyone greater then he, even after his firstborn son died as a result of his stubborn heart.  As we approach Christmas Day with anticipation and renewed hope, God's firstborn once again brings light into a dark world. No one knows what this day or this year will bring, unlike Pharaoh, we know that God is in control.

Read the text here.