How does Psalm 135:8 demonstrate God's power over life and death? The Verse Itself “ He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of man and beast alike.” ( Psalm 135:8 ) What Happens in This Single Line • God personally acts—“He struck down,” not “He allowed” or “He observed.” • Both human and animal life fall under His direct command. • The strike is precise: only the firstborn, showing targeted, intentional authority. God’s Authority Over Life and Death on Display • Ultimate Sovereignty: Only the Creator can decide the moment life ends (1 Samuel 2:6; Deuteronomy 32:39). • No Realm Exempt: From palace nurseries to stable stalls, every life answers to Him. • Judgment and Redemption Intertwined: The same stroke that ends Egyptian life secures Israel’s release, proving He can both judge and save simultaneously (Exodus 12:29–33). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Exodus 12:29—night of the firstborn: “The LORD struck down every firstborn male…” • Psalm 104:29–30—“You take away their breath, they perish…You send forth Your Spirit, they are created.” • Job 1:21—“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.” • Revelation 1:18—Christ now holds “the keys of Death and of Hades,” confirming continuity of divine authority from Exodus to eternity. Why It Matters Today • Confidence in God’s Control: No life event—birth, death, sickness, healing—escapes His rule. • Assurance of Justice: Wrongdoers never outrun His reach; the righteous never lose His care. • Ground for Hope: The God who ended Egyptian oppression also raised Jesus, promising resurrection life to all who trust Him (John 11:25–26). Takeaway Psalm 135:8 stands as a concise, vivid reminder that the God who once struck Egypt’s firstborn still holds absolute power over every breath—ending it, sustaining it, or restoring it—according to His perfect wisdom and steadfast love. |
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