This is a solemn passage. It is a passage about God carrying out his warning to Pharaoh and Egypt. He had warned Pharaoh that if he did not let Israel go, he would put to death the first-born of Pharaoh and all of Egypt. We read in verse 29, “The Lord struck down all the firstborn of the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon…”
This judgment of the Lord against Egypt was a long time coming. If we look at it from a distance so as to take in the whole story, we see the inevitability of it. It is important for us to grasp this point. God had told Abrah
am over 400 years previous to this night of death that he would bring judgment upon a nation that held Abraham’s future descendants in bondage. Here we see the fulfilment of that statement to Abraham.
The inevitability of this judgment is also seen in fact that God’s justice demands retribution. Egypt had made it a national policy to kill Israelite baby boys. The Israelite midwives disobeyed this law, but Moses’ narrow escape indicates it was carried out by others. Just because something is a national law in a country does not mean it is approved by God. This shedding of blood cried out for justice.
The judgment upon Egypt runs deeper even than this. The Lord said previously that it would be a judgment against the gods of Egypt. The sinfulness of Egypt ran deep because the idolatry of Egypt ran deep. There were none righteous in Egypt. Death reflected the state of souls in Egypt. Those who didn’t die in this plague were still under the curse of death and later died under the judgment of God. The wages of sin is death; it is inevitable because God is just.
Egypt was representative of the world of men in sin. God used Pharaoh and Egypt for this purpose; to demonstrate his just retribution against the sin of men. There is inevitability to judgment from God upon this world. We cannot affirm the Bible as God’s word and deny this plain teaching in it.
Yet the same God who brings just judgment upon the sin of men sent Christ into the world to reconcile men to God: to be a Savior for men to the ends of the earth. We read he was given for the world, sent from heaven for sinners.
That he is a Savior presupposes all men are sinners like the Egyptians were. Christ came to save none but sinners. Those who are not sinners are not subject to death and have no need of salvation. He was named
Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. “His people” are identified as those who embrace Him as a necessary Savior.
Christ saves by meeting the demands of God’s justice. God does not relax his requirements of perfect righteousness because sinful men cannot meet that standard. He does not excuse any violations of his law. He didn’t relax any of his standards when he required of Christ Jesus to pay for sins of others and be perfect in his obedience.
When someone believes in Christ, God imputes or reckons to him the works Christ did. He is accounted as perfectly righteous according to God’s perfect requirements. It sounds incredible. Angels sent from heaven at Christ’s birth called it good news to men. The gospel is truly good news.
Christ is wonderful and lovely to the sinner, but he will not be so to you as long as you look upon him without the eye of faith. He is pure and holy, wise knowing all things. He is privy to all your sins. He knew of them when he willingly went to the cross. However, none of the benefits of his life and death will belong to you if you aren’t united to him by faith.
Remember Christ and his crucifixion for sinners. The Lord Jesus Christ is the prince of glory, a friend in the court of heaven where God’s righteousness reigns.
He has procured a pardon for many malefactors as worse as you whatever your sins may be. If you have any sense of your danger in being exposed to God’s just judgment you will apply yourself to Christ to save you and not withhold your love from such a one who has showed you such unparalleled favor.
