Passover Plagues--Day 10

Finally the end of the plagues. We have made it to number ten. This may be the finale of this bloody, smelly and messy adventure but it definitely not the end of the story. Let’s open our Bibles and see how God completes the task of getting the Israelites out of Egypt and gets Pharaoh to “let His people go!”


The Plague on the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1-9)
“Now the LORD had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely.” (v 1)

That had to be good news to Moses’ ears. It wasn’t until now that Moses knew how long these catastrophes would continue. Moses had to simply be relieved.

God continues talking to Moses…“Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (v 2)

Their neighbors? Yes, they are to ask their Egyptian neighbors for money. Why in the world would an Egyptian that has had to suffer through all of these disasters give anything to these Israelites? Fortunately for us, God tells us why…

“(The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)” (v 3)

God make the Egyptians want to give the Israelites money. Even Moses himself was “highly regarded”. Can you imagine? This man comes into the land and brings all of this disasters and problems and now they highly regard him. But not Pharaoh. No, he is still being stubborn and chooses to not let them leave.

“So Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. 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. All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.” (v 4-8)

Well, now we know what it is called the “Plague of the Firstborn.” That’s what makes this plague hit home. My husband is a first born. I am a first born. We, obviously, have a first born. Many friends and family (but evidently no siblings) are first borns. And I know that Pharaoh had a first born. I have always wondered why he didn’t take this warning more seriously. Surely he had to know that this plague would also come just like the previous nine did. But he didn’t.

“The LORD had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.” (v 9-10)

This is undoubtedly the most eventful plague. It is also the plague that takes the most amount of preparation, money and effort. Tonight we will be celebrating with a Passover meal known as a Seder. We will hunt for leaven (yeast) and toss it out. We will partake in the same “Last Supper” that Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room. Or at least do our best in participating with a similar meal. We will focus on the retelling of Christ’s last hours. The hours He was with His disciples on Mount Olive. Why He was in Jerusalem. Why He was having this meal. We will put the kids to bed with the story found in Matthew 26: 36-56 about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane as His disciples fell asleep.

Tomorrow we will get up to a very somber house. It will be, ironically, “Good” Friday.