Well, we are now in Exodus 12:29–32, and I have entitled this passage, “Life and Death.”
At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in 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, and all the firstborn of the livestock. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”
I don't know if you've thought about this or not, but this night of death was also a night of life, new life. Let me explain. The firstborn, of the families of Egypt, was experiencing the horrible, but perfectly righteous judgment of a perfectly holy God. There's probably not a more horrific scene to imagine and consider than that night when all the firstborn sons of Egypt were struck dead. God's patience with Egypt had ended. There would be no more requests for Pharaoh to release his people. There would be no more warnings. There would be no more demonstrations of his power. The time of judgment had come, and we should take a warning from that. We should take God's righteous judgment seriously.
We should take his holiness seriously. There was death in every household of Egypt. There was mourning everywhere. You literally could go anywhere in Egypt and hear the wailing in the streets. How can you read this passage without remembering the words of Paul from Romans 6:20–23.
For when you were slaves to sin, you were freed in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at the time from things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death, but now you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God. The fruit you get leads to sanctification and in its end eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
You see, you do not want to be in a world where the one ruling the world doesn't take evil seriously and does not judge it righteously. But that night was not just a night of death. It was a night of new life as well. The Israelites in this moment were being ushered into a brand-new existence as the children of God. Now free from slavery, they would begin to experience untold blessings as the children of God. They would be blessed with God's presence, God's power, and his provision. Death was also a time of new life.
And you probably get what I'm going to say, “This passage is a finger pointing to the death of Jesus on the cross.” What could be more horrible than the death of the one righteous man who ever lived—a moment of horrible injustice? But that moment too was a moment, not just of death, but of life as well. The death of Jesus on the cross purchased new life, new hope, new identity, new potential for all who believe. The worst thing that ever happened is also the best thing that ever happened. And it tells us that there will be a day when all wailing will end. One of the final promises of Scripture is, Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away!”
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. How seriously do you tend to take God’s righteous judgement? Why is God’s holiness a serious thing that we should revere and take with deep appreciation?
2. Why would it be horrible to live in a world where the one ruling it didn’t take evil seriously and judge it righteously? What do you think that kind of world would be like?
3. How does the Exodus story, and this story specifically of the death of every firstborn, point you to the death of Jesus on the cross? Why do you think it’s so important to draw the connection to Christ’s crucifixion when you read this story in Exodus 12?
4. In what ways have you personally seen and experienced new life in Christ today that points back to his suffering and death on the cross? Why is the worst thing that ever happened the best thing that ever happened for you personally?
For Younger Children:
1. How does the death of all the firstborn children in Egypt help you to understand the seriousness of sin? What do you think holiness is and why does God’s holiness matter to you and I today?
2. When Pharaoh finally let God’s people go free, what kind of life came out of their freedom from slavery to the Egyptians? Can you think of any examples in nature where life comes out of death? Why does life coming from death matter to us right now?
3. How does the death of Jesus provide life for anyone who believes?
For Older Children:
1. What does the death of all the firstborn children in Egypt tell you about the serious nature of sin? Why do you think God takes our sin so seriously? What does it mean that God is holy? Why is the holiness of God relevant to you and I right now?
2. In what ways have you seen life come from death (think of nature, events, etc.)? Where do we see life coming from death in Scripture? What is the ultimate example of that (life coming from death) in the New Testament? Why does that ultimate example matter to you and me today?
3. How does the death of Jesus provide life for anyone who believes?
4. Let’s read Revelation 21:4 together. Where do you personally find hope and joy in this passage?
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