Then the Lord spoke to Moses: One more plague I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. After that he will let you depart. In fact, when he finally lets you go, he will drive you away. 2 Instruct the people that every man is to ask his neighbor, and every woman her neighbor, for silver and gold articles and for clothing. 3 The Lord indeed made the Egyptians well-disposed toward the people; Moses himself was very highly regarded by Pharaoh’s servants and the people in the land of Egypt. 4 Moses then said, “Thus says the Lord: About midnight I will go forth through Egypt. 5 Every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave-girl who is at the handmill, as well as all the firstborn of the animals. 6 Then there will be loud wailing throughout the land of Egypt, such as has never been, nor will ever be again. 7 But among all the Israelites, among human beings and animals alike, not even a dog will growl, so that you may know that the Lord distinguishes between Egypt and Israel. 8 All these servants of yours will then come down to me and bow down before me, saying: Leave, you and all your followers! Then I will depart.” With that he left Pharaoh’s presence in hot anger. 9 The Lord said to Moses: Pharaoh will not listen to you so that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 Thus, although Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go from his land.
God informs Moses that a final plague will compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. This plague, the death of every firstborn in Egypt, from the household of Pharaoh to the livestock in the fields, will strike at the heart of the Egyptian society. It will demonstrate Yahweh's power over Pharaoh, who was considered a divine figure, and over the Egyptian deities, particularly gods associated with fertility, life, and protection. God commands the Israelites to request silver and gold articles from the Egyptians, and He grants them favor in the sight of their neighbors. Moses delivers God's ultimatum to Pharaoh but is met with resistance, as the Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart to bring about His greater purpose.
The Tenth Plague serves as a direct challenge to the gods of Egypt, particularly Osiris (god of life and death), Isis (protector of children), and Pharaoh himself, who was considered the son of Ra, the sun god. The death of the firstborn undermines their supposed authority over life and fertility, fulfilling God's declaration: "On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord" (Exod. 12:12).
Yahweh has absolute control over history, nature, and nations. His ability to foretell and execute events demonstrates His omniscience and omnipotence (Isaiah 46:9–10). Pharaoh’s hardening of heart is part of God's plan to display His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth (Exod. 9:16; Rom. 9:17).
The demand for the Israelites' release and their eventual departure with wealth from Egypt fulfills God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:13–14, where He assured Abraham that his descendants would leave their bondage with great possessions.
The Tenth Plague prefigures Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, whose death brings life and deliverance from the slavery of sin (John 3:16; Col. 1:15–20). While the Egyptian firstborn die as a sign of judgment, Jesus, the firstborn of all creation, dies to redeem humanity. The sacrificial lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from death, points forward to Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). His blood shields believers from eternal death (Rom. 5:9).
The Tenth Plague also serves as a precursor to the final judgment when Christ will return to judge the living and the dead (Matt. 25:31–46; Rev. 20:11–15). Just as God’s people were delivered from Egypt, Christ will deliver His Church to eternal life.
Almighty God, Your power and sovereignty delivered Your people from bondage. Help us to trust in Your perfect plan, knowing that You are the God who brings justice and mercy. May the blood of Your Son, our Passover Lamb, shield us from sin and lead us into eternal freedom. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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