Why Did God Destroy the Firstborn of Egypt?
Just for your thoughts.
Why Did God Destroy the Firstborn of Egypt?
God calls Israel "My firstborn son" (Exodus 4:22).
However, Pharaoh commanded that every Hebrew male child who was born should be killed by being thrown into the Nile River. Even before the plagues began, God warned Pharaoh, saying, "Let My son go, that he may worship Me. If you refuse to let him go, I will kill your firstborn son" (Exodus 4:23).
Nevertheless, even after witnessing the first nine plagues, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites go. As a result, from Pharaoh's firstborn son to the firstborn son of the slave woman grinding at the mill, all the firstborn in Egypt died, including the firstborn of the livestock (Exodus 11:5).
This was a manifestation of God's righteous judgment. The Bible clearly declares:
«"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
— Galatians 6:7»
Pharaoh received from God a righteous recompense for what he had done to God's people.
As Bible scholar W. W. Wiersbe aptly stated:
"The Lord simply paid Pharaoh back with his own currency."
In other words, God repaid Pharaoh according to the very measure he had used against His people.
The Bible contains many similar examples. Jacob, David, and Haman each, in one way or another, reaped what they had sown.
Lessons We Should Learn
As those who have experienced God's salvation, if we sincerely repent of the wrongs we have done to others and seek forgiveness, God graciously forgives our sins. Yet, in many cases, we still have to live with the earthly consequences of our actions. The divine principle of "reaping what we sow" never changes.
Therefore, we must be extremely careful not to harm others. Whatever we sow, we will reap.
Although believers may not always be able to perform great acts of kindness, they should at least live in the fear of God, making every effort to avoid doing injustice to anyone.
At the same time, when the enemies of God's people use certain weapons or methods to oppress them, God, in many instances, turns those very same weapons against the oppressors. For God is a righteous Judge who vindicates His people and executes justice on their behalf.