He had seen the plagues strike Egypt, one after another, causing havoc and destroying the land. He had witnessed such power at the hand of God. Could they finally be on the verge of freedom from the heavy hand of Egyptian rulers after centuries of crying out to God?
He never dreamed he would see this day. So many of his relatives had died without seeing their prayers answered. Yet now, on the eve of seeing freedom, he was scared. As he ate the roasted lamb he thought of the Word of God recited by Moses, “For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.”
“Strike down.” He almost choked on his piece of lamb. What would stop God from striking him down as the first born of his family? His father tried to reassure him. “We have put the blood of the lamb on the two doorposts and on the lintel of our house as we were instructed. You will not be harmed.”
His dad said it with such conviction, such sincerity in his eyes. His face showed him a determined faith that God would deliver them, deliver him from this latest plague on Egypt. Yet this personally affected him. The other plagues wrought on Egypt were not targeted agains the oldest.
He recalled how God told Moses, “All the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” He could not help but wonder if he would be spared. Could the blood of a lamb smeared over the entry to his house save him? Would he be spared from God’s wrath?
His father told him they would not be touched. The blood of the lamb would save them. He reminded his dad that he was the oldest, it was his life on the line. His dad had only smiled at him. “Have faith, son.”
And now they were all together, sharing roasted lamb, thoughts swirling in his head. As he looked at his parents, his siblings, his aunt and uncle and his cousins, he could see the anticipation on their faces that salvation was at hand. It was easy for them, he thought. None of them were the oldest. He glanced at the doorway. Could the blood of a lamb actually save him?
© 2023, Chris G Thelen
#WednesdayWalk Through the Bible — an exploration of what unknown people might have seen or felt when they witnessed the events in the Bible. This post is from the perspective of the oldest son sitting with his family during the first Passover meal, awaiting the final plague to strike Egypt as described in Exodus Chapter 11 and 12:1-28 (NASB).
140 Character Christian 
Amen! This narrative connects us with a deepest sense of faith. The blood-smeared doorpost leads directly to the Cross.
May we place our trust in the God’s Word and the hope it gives us. Blessings.
And then we turn the page… It DID!
Would that faith increase? Would it sustain him through the trials?
So many challenges on our journey of faith. Christ is our strength and salvation. Blessings.