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Thoughts on Exodus 11: Why the firstborn?
By daniel | July 1, 2007
It took me a while to think through the tenth plague and why God would bring such pain upon the Egyptians. I've explored several areas, and I think together they do start to make sense. But it must be said, before we start to ask such questions, that the topic is a tragedy. Indeed a tragedy for Egypt, and certainly pained God to bring such destruction upon His created people. But let's look at why such measures could be needed.
I've been reading a book lately. It's called The Strong-willed Child, by James Dobson. Why I'm reading it notwithstanding, there is this great little section talking about why parenting strong-willed children must be approached with a much stronger will yourself than is perhaps required for other, more compliant children. He says that strong-willed children need proof that you are worth following, and that you are strong enough to lead them and be trusted with their own trust. To this end, they will challenge the parents authority, sometimes even 'going for broke' in a fight to see how far you will go before they win. He describes a fight he had with a strong-willed housepet dog that required him to eventually pin the dog down on the floor and hold him there until the dog quit fighting him. Once the dog had realized that the authority was real, and strong enough to be the leader, he never 'questioned' the authority again.
The thought of going for broke in a fight against a child may seem a silly way to talk about the death of every firstborn in a large nation, I know that. But thinking of God, Egypt, and Israel, let's look at it this way: God is undisputed King of heaven and earth. This is at least the claim of the Bible and His own words. His stated mission is to bring creation back into His Rule/Authority, and continue to restore creation with a people who love and follow Him. Now… Egypt (and the Egyptians) are still His creation, still in rebellion. His chosen people, Israel (though for this argument's sake, it doesn't matter if they're chosen) are seeking to worship and follow Him, but are held back by their slavery to Egypt. Egypt then, in blatant disregard for the human dignity and respect for God's creation, begins to slaughter Israelite baby boys, in a simple effort to reduce the number of Israelites. This is Egypt is full-out rebellion against God, and they are willing to use every weapon at their disposal to continue in their own way, now to the extreme harm of others. Starting slowly, God begins revealing that He is the King, and noone else that Egypt trusts in is, to more and more deep and painful degrees. But it seems Egypt is willing to bet it all to get God to give in. And, like any parent who gives up the right to be the strength in their house, God would lose Egypt back to their idolatry and evil, having not done everything in His power to save them. And, worse, He would have not saved Israel, who from a standpoint of social justice, were innocent victims of Egypt's evil.
In talking with a friend of mine about this, he suggested that some have asked why not just kill Pharaoh's son, and spare the others. He also gave the answer that while Pharaoh was considered a 'god', issues revolving around simply him would imply 'god'-issues. For example, Pharaoh's son died because the gods were angry with Pharaoh, in some god-level dispute. In this situation, however, Pharaoh is proved as impotent as even the lowest in Egypt, removing the possibility that he may be a diety himself.
There's also the aspect of the whole Exodus that gives hints of specifically Egyptian redemption. We may return to this in a later post for further detail, but since the book of Exodus was written to highlight specifically the intervention of God on behalf of Israel to free them from their captors, the captors themselves don't get much airtime, especially as it pertains to their being freed as well. But there are hints that perhaps God was working in all the hearts that were inclined to hear Him, not just among Israel.
Topics: The Word |
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