Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons by Ron Rhodes

Author:Ron Rhodes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-21T03:39:00+00:00

The Tenth Plague

The tenth and final plague resulted in the death of the firstborn of all the land (Exodus 11:1-12:36). God issued a sober pronouncement to the Egyptians: "I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn-both men and animals-and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD" (12:12).

This judgment was particularly devastating to Pharaoh in view of the fact that his firstborn would have eventually sat on his father's throne.52 Furthermore, Pharaoh's son (by an act of the gods) was considered to have divine properties just like his father.53 From an Egyptian point of view, it is hard to conceive of any stronger demonstration of the incomparability of Yahweh.

In addition to Pharaoh, this was a judgment against all the gods of Egypt. After all, as noted above, Yahweh said that through this judgment He would "bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt" (Exodus 12:12, emphasis added).

Among the gods who were judged are Ptah, the Egyptian god of life54; Min, the god of procreation and reproduction; Isis, a god and symbol of fecundity with the power to produce offspring; and Hathor, one of seven deities who was believed to attend the birth of children. Furthermore, the death of the Apis bull, a firstborn animal with supposedly divine qualities, would have had a tremendous impact on the worshipers and priests of the temple.55 All the firstborn in Egypt died as an irrefutable demonstration and proof that no god in Egypt had the power to stand against Yahweh, the incomparable one.

Following this awful judgment, Pharaoh finally gave in and declared to Moses and Aaron that the children of Israel should leave. He made no qualifications and asked for no concessions. He also requested of Moses: "And also bless me" (Exodus 12:32). This is an amazing request, especially in light of the fact that Pharaoh considered himself to be a god. It took ten plagues, but Yahweh answered the question Pharaoh asked in Exodus 5:2: "Who is the LORD [Yahweh], that I should obey him and let Israel go?"

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