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Plagues - Tenth Plague: Death Of The Firstborn (Ex. 11:1-10)

'Then the Lord spoke to Moses: One more plague I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. After that he will let you depart. In fact, when he finally lets you go, he will drive you away. Instruct the people that every man is to ask his neighbor, and every woman her neighbor, for silver and gold articles and for clothing. The Lord indeed made the Egyptians well-disposed toward the people; Moses himself was very highly regarded by Pharaoh’s servants and the people in the land of Egypt.  Moses then said, “Thus says the Lord: About midnight I will go forth through Egypt.  Every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave-girl who is at the handmill, as well as all the firstborn of the animals.  Then there will be loud wailing throughout the land of Egypt, such as has never been, nor will ever be again.  But among all the Israelites, among human beings and animals alike, not even a dog will growl, so that you may know that the Lord distinguishes between Egypt and Israel.  All these servants of yours will then come down to me and bow down before me, saying: Leave, you and all your followers! Then I will depart.”  With that he left Pharaoh’s presence in hot anger. The Lord said to Moses: Pharaoh will not listen to you so that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.  Thus, although Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go from his land (Ex. 11:1-10).’

The tenth plague was the climax of God bringing to completion the process of ‘encouraging’ Pharaoh to release the Hebrews from slavery.  In the Bible the number 10 is the symbol of perfection and wholeness, among other things.  Even before the first plague, God told Moses that Pharaoh, “Will drive them from his land (Ex. 6:1).”  The battle between God and Pharaoh, who was considered a god by the Egyptians, was coming to a climax.  If Egypt lost its first born its survival and identity was in question.  Israel’s survival and identity were however assured because no one would be harmed, “Not even a dog will growl (v. 7).”  The death of the first-born formed part of the institution of the Passover sacrifice.  Israel is the first-born son and heir in God’s plan (Ex. 4:23), and Christ Jesus is the first-born of all creation and the first-born from the dead (Col 1:15-20) which assures life (survival) for all who believe in Christ.  

Almighty God, your ways are not our ways and your plan for the reconciliation and salvation of mankind do not rely on our consent but is accomplished through your will and on your timeline.  Grant us patience, obedience, and an awareness of your ubiquitous presence that we may complete whatever task you ask of us with willing and contrite hearts.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Luis A. Martin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Antonio Garcia-Moreno, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy, & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (1999). The Navarre Bible - The Pentateuch. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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