The final plague was actually the first to be foretold to Moses as a result of Pharaoh killing Hebrews babies. In one Jewish Commentary it is said that God only intended this one plague and that it was the only one needed for Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go, however because of Pharaoh’s obstinacy more plagues were given. How can God kill the innocent of Egypt? For three days before hand, the Egyptians saw the lights in Goshen and could have escaped to safety. God always sends a door of escape and his mercy is far reaching. God calls Israel his firstborn. He calls Jesus his firstborn, David and Ephraim are also referred to as “Firstborn”. Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.”
To understand the significance of the firstborn, consider the Egyptian culture of hierarchy and power within their civilization. It was a society ruled by primogeniture (Primogeniture is a principle of seniority and inheritance that favors the eldest child.) The first born had absolute power within the family unit. Pharaoh was the firstborn of the firstborn of the firstborn. It was from his birthright that he exercised his power. The attack against the first born was therefore a powerful polemic against the entire culture of Egypt. The eldest ruled the younger siblings. This is why having slaves was so important to the Egyptians. This gave the lower classes someone else to control and dominate. (aish.com) Therefore not only was God inflicting punishment on their system but there was a direct attack on their power. Would it have been the firstborn who not only had the rights of inheritance, but also inherited the responsibility of vengeance on enemies. God was wiping out every one of Israel’s enemies. Does the fact that Pharaoh didn’t die disqualify him from being a firstborn exposing his birthright. Was he indeed a false Pharaoh, and hence one without absolute power even over his own people?
According to Judaism the firstborn were also significant. However, it was often the younger who was elevated to the rights of the firstborn for example, Cain was the firstborn however, Seth his younger brother took on the status of firstborn carrying on the lineage of the messiah. Also Isaac came after Ishmael, yet he was the promised son who formed the middle chain in the patriarch. Jacob was the most famous example of misplaced birthright. who is accused of stealing the firstborn rights of Esau, although God ordained the events around him legally purchasing the birthright from his brother. “ God confirms that Jacob’s willingness to serve God is what transformed him into a “firstborn.” On the other hand, “real” firstborns have lost their status: God purchased only the firstborn of the Hebrews in Egypt when he passed over the houses of the Israelite. God redeemed or purchased them as his own, however, their status as firstborn was given up when they sinned with the golden calf and God took the Levites instead who displayed loyalty and devotion to God in that day. Numbers 3.
“Originally the Temple service devolved upon the firstborn, but when they committed the sin of the Golden Calf, (Midrash Rabbah – Bamidbar 4:8)” based on these we know firstborns, who were not actually born first. In contrast to Egyptian culture, in Hebraic culture, heritage is spiritual. It is not those who are firstborn who serve God but those willing to serve God are called the firstborn. “ From the dawn of time there have been those willing to serve God, and others who have ignored or rejected such opportunities.10 The lineage of the Jewish people is the antithesis of Pharaoh, instead of firstborn after firstborn after firstborn, the spiritual legacy which we carry is of those who chose to serve God regardless of station, and at times despite modest ancestry. This is the significance of God’s resounding declaration that we are His firstborn. Others willing to serve in the future will likewise merit this status: Rabbi Natan said: “The Holy One, blessed be He, told Moses: ‘Just as I have made Jacob a firstborn, for it says: Israel is My son, My firstborn, so will I make the King Messiah a firstborn, as it says: I also will appoint him firstborn (Psalms 89:28). (Midrash Rabbah – Exodus 19:7) One day the Messiah himself will merit to be called a firstborn. He will help teach the world that being a child of God transcends lineage. And that being a firstborn of God is about how we lead our lives, it is the manifestation of the image of God within,11 not a question of sequence of birth.” (aish.com)
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