firstborn

The arrival of the angel of death was the fulfillment of God's fatal promise to Pharaoh. "Let my people go" the Lord warned through Moses and Aaron. "Or else."

The other plagues were confounding. Could they happen without divine intervention? I've read that they could flow from one to the next based on natural occurrences. However, the final one, the selective death of the firstborn, was clearly supernatural.

Think about the firstborn. Books have been written about the firstborn. First borns are known for leadership, vision, courage, being headstrong, successful, and independent. These were the people stripped from the fabric of Egyptian society. Yes, there were other birth orders that infiltrated the ranks of managers, captains and officials.  But most probably they were not the front runners in the crisis management ops manual.

In fact, it is interesting to question "Why didn't Pharaoh die? Was he not considered the firstborn?"

What was left was Pharaoh as single leader and sole voice of the hordes of Egyptians. Most of those he could have listened to were dead. The ones left probably were workers and appeasers stung by the loss of their older siblings. "Do something!" Pharaoh responded with what he knew best: his army.

In the end, not only did Pharaoh lose the firstborns of his country, he lost his weapon too. The army's defeat was total, including their armament. It would take decades to recover from this disaster. In the meantime Israel was able to enter the Promised Land and flourish as the People of God.

If you are a firstborn take heed at the important place you have in the Kingdom. In ancient society you received a double portion of the inheritance. You were the first to receive the blessing from the dying father. You were the one entrusted with the workings of the family business. You were called on to be the protector of the family, the nurturer of the elderly, the haven of rest, the one to provide order and guide the success of  the family. It was a heavy burden that was carried quietly. It was assumed.

How can someone achieve all of this burden? Only with the presence and power of the Lord who saves. The Lord who orders the death angel to pass over... the sprinkled doorposts. The Lord who speaks, empowers and leads.

Are your doorposts sprinkled, figuratively, with the blood of the passover Lamb? That Lamb has a name, and it is Jesus who is the Christ. Apply the blood, learn from his wisdom, apply his leadership and your home will be a haven of life for all who abide within.