Last Plague/ First Born

Exodus 11

It's high noon in Egypt. The Lord tells Moses He's got one more plague up His sleeve. When this plague is over, they won't just let you leave- they'll gas up your car, give you directions and give you a push toward the city limits.

God causes the Egyptians to like the Israelites- in fact Moses even has a fan club. They must really be fans of the Israelites, because God tells Moses to have the people ask their neighbors for silver and gold.

So Moses tells Pharaoh- that at midnight- every Egyptian firstborn- princes, slaves, cattle- they'll all die. There will be wailing like you've never heard and will never hear again. Go around the Israelites- you won't even hear a dog barking. God will show His distinction between these two nations. Moses tells him- your officials will come and ask me to leave town- and we'll be out of here. Moe is hot enough to hit Curly with a crowbar and storms out of Pharaoh's presence.

God tells Moses that Pharaoh won't listen so that My wonders will multiply in Egypt. The chapter ends with "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" (NIV). I'm not sure if this last sentence refers to the plague described, or is a summary of Moses' activity up to this point.

This is a pretty bothersome scene for me. Innocent children dying to show God's power. Yes, it was effective- but somehow my concept of a loving God is challenged by all the carnage about to be created. While the Egyptians aren't God's chosen race, they are part of His creation. Is God learning to love His creation during this period of time? Is the death of these people actually merciful- are they rewarded after peacefully leaving this life?

The bottom line is- I have no clue. And that's what I take from this passage. God doesn't answer to me. He doesn't have to explain Himself. Whatever the rationale -He had one- and all these things continued to set in motion the coming of Jesus to save us all.

Even when we don't understand- when life seems cold- when God seems distant- when circumstances are trying- we only see a piece of the whole story.

And one day- it will all make sense.