How does Psalm 105:36 demonstrate God's power and judgment over Egypt's firstborn? The verse itself “Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.” (Psalm 105:36) Why this single line matters - It recalls the climactic tenth plague (Exodus 11–12), the decisive act that broke Pharaoh’s resistance. - The verb “struck” (Hebrew nāḵâ) conveys direct, irresistible action—God Himself, not a secondary cause. - “All the firstborn” shows the scope: every Egyptian household felt the blow, from palace to prison (Exodus 12:29). - “Firstfruits of all their vigor” highlights Egypt’s strength—its future, hopes, and inheritance—cut down in a moment. God’s power on display • Supreme over life and death—He gives life (Genesis 2:7) and can remove it instantly (Deuteronomy 32:39). • Unmatched authority—no Egyptian deity or human ruler could shield the nation (Exodus 12:12). • Precision in judgment—Israel’s homes, marked by blood, were passed over (Exodus 12:13), proving God’s ability to distinguish and protect. God’s righteous judgment • Justice for oppression—Egypt had slain Hebrew infants (Exodus 1:16, 22); now its own firstborn fall, a measured recompense (Galatians 6:7). • Exposure of idolatry—Egypt worshiped gods of fertility and power; the death of “firstfruits” unmasked their impotence (Numbers 33:4). • Vindication of covenant—God remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Psalm 105:8–10) and acted to deliver their descendants. Connection to the broader psalm Psalm 105 rehearses God’s faithfulness from Abraham to the Promised Land. Verse 36 is the hinge between bondage and exodus—proof that when God speaks, He performs (Isaiah 46:11). Takeaways for believers - God’s sovereignty is not theoretical; He intervenes in history and keeps His word. - Judgment and mercy run together: the same night that brought death to Egypt brought deliverance to Israel (Exodus 12:30–31). - Christ, the ultimate Firstborn (Colossians 1:15), bore judgment so that all who trust Him might experience eternal Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). |
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