Intro: Exodus 12 – The Passover and the Tenth Plague
In Exodus 12, the Exodus 12 plagues of Egypt reach their most devastating moment with the death of the firstborn. Yet in the same chapter, God establishes the Passover, a covenant of protection and deliverance for His people. Judgment and salvation appear side by side, revealing God’s justice against sin and His mercy toward the faithful. You can read the full chapter here: Exodus 12 (KJV). See this link for a full summary of Exodus 7-15.
The Institution of the Passover
God gave Israel detailed instructions: each household was to sacrifice a lamb without blemish, apply its blood to the doorposts (the vertical sides of the doorway) and the lintel (the horizontal beam across the top), and eat the lamb roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The blood marked their homes so that the destroying angel would pass over them when striking Egypt.
This act was rich with symbolism. The lamb pointed to Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood delivers from death (John 1:29). The bitter herbs reminded Israel of their suffering in bondage, while the unleavened bread represented haste, as Israel had no time for their dough to rise when exiting from Egypt (Exod. 12:11, 34, 39), and later came to symbolize purity and freedom from corruption, as Paul teaches (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
Lesson
Deliverance requires obedience to God’s instructions. The final plague shows that salvation is found under the blood of the Lamb.
The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn
Though unique in nature, Scripture itself calls this judgment a plague (Exod. 11:1), and both Jewish and Christian traditions remember it as the tenth and final plague in Egypt.
At midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh’s household to the lowest prisoner, and even the firstborn of the animals. A great cry arose throughout Egypt, just as God had foretold. But in Israel’s dwellings, marked by the blood, not a single person was harmed.
This final blow shattered Pharaoh’s resistance. He summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and ordered Israel to leave immediately. Egypt, broken and fearful, gave the Israelites silver, gold, and garments, fulfilling God’s promise to enrich His people as they departed.
Lesson
God distinguishes between those under His covering and those who reject Him. This final judgment shows that His wrath is precise and His mercy sure.
God Rules All Realms
The last plague completed God’s systematic judgment of Egypt’s gods. By striking down the firstborn, He proved His rule over Pharaoh himself, worshiped as the son of Ra, and over every household deity meant to protect Egyptian families. Gods such as Bes (protector of households), Taweret (goddess of childbirth), and even Isis (associated with motherhood and magic) were powerless to defend Egypt’s children. No god of Egypt could save them. Only Yahweh rules over life, death, and redemption.
The Fear of the LORD
This judgment reveals both the terror and comfort of God’s presence. To Egypt, He was destruction and loss. To Israel, He was salvation and deliverance. The fear of the Lord teaches us to revere His holiness and trust His promises. Israel learned that obedience under His covenant brings life.
Deeper Reflection: The Firstborn and Christ
The death of the firstborn in Egypt pointed forward to Christ, the true Firstborn, who would take judgment on behalf of all. Pharaoh’s loss of his heir was also divine retribution for Egypt’s attempt to destroy Israel’s sons in Moses’ infancy (Exod. 1). Yet for Israel, the blood of the lamb declared that a death had already occurred. In a sense, the firstborn of every Israelite house did die that night — in the lamb that was slain.
That is why the entire household had to remain inside. To leave the house was to step outside the substitute’s death and face judgment yourself. The message is clear: salvation is found only under the covering of the blood. This also foreshadows that Christ’s blood could have saved Egyptians too, had they obeyed and trusted.
Equally, the death of Egypt’s firstborn could have been the end of the carnage, protecting the rest of their households if Pharaoh had surrendered once and for all and accepted the Almighty (El Shaddai) as his God. However, he did not, and the judgment continued — he later saw his troops drown in the Red Sea, and whether he perished with them or not, Egypt’s power was utterly broken.
Spiritual Lessons from the Final Plague
- Salvation is by the blood — protection came only through the lamb’s blood on the doorposts.
- God distinguishes His people — judgment fell on Egypt but passed over Israel.
- God fulfills His promises — Israel left with wealth as foretold to Abraham.
- God rules over life and death — Pharaoh’s power collapsed before Him.
- Fear of the LORD matters — the same God who brought death to Egypt preserved life in Goshen.
Practical Applications Today
The Passover reminds us of Christ, our Passover Lamb. Just as Israel was saved by the blood on the doorposts, we are saved by the blood of Jesus applied to our lives by faith. Modern idols of wealth, power, self, celebrities, false teachers, or gods of other religions cannot protect from judgment. Only those under the covering of Christ’s sacrifice are secure. This chapter calls us to live in obedience, humility, and gratitude for God’s redemption.
Conclusion of Exodus 12 Plagues of Egypt
Exodus 12 is the heart of the Exodus account, where judgment and salvation intersect. God struck Egypt’s firstborn, dismantling Pharaoh’s claim to divinity, while preserving Israel through the blood of the lamb. Above all, the Passover declares Yahweh as the God of justice and mercy, pointing forward to the ultimate Lamb, Jesus Christ, whose blood secures eternal deliverance.
Visit our Exodus hub article for a summary of the entire book and links to each chapter study. To explore the plagues in Exodus Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, and Chapter 11, see these links.