What About The Firstborns?

This blog post idea came after one of our most recent Wednesday night Bible classes. We’ve had a number of brethren teach from the Proverbs. We studied Proverbs 6:16-19 where it says, “There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”

The question that was raised to me after class was, “God hates the shedding of innocent blood, but what about the firstborns who died in the days of Egypt?” In Exodus 11, it says, “Thus says the LORD, about midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on the throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well…Exodus 11:4-5

Is this a contradiction? This is a question that can make people pause, especially those who may not be familiar with the context, character, and sovereignty of God. Let’s take a closer look.

1. God Can Do As He Pleases

“Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” – Psalm 135:6

God is not limited by human standards or subject to human judgment. He is the Creator, and as such, He has full authority over all creation. He is perfectly just, perfectly holy, and perfectly good in all His ways. His actions are not up for debate—they are righteous by nature.

2. God Is the Potter—We Are the Clay

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.” – Isaiah 64:8

“Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” – Psalm 100:3

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Who are we to challenge the Potter? This isn’t an excuse to avoid tough questions, but it’s a necessary posture of humility when approaching divine matters. The clay doesn’t question the hands shaping it.

3. God Was Extremely Patient First

The death of the firstborn was not the first plague—it was the tenth. God had shown plague after plague in mercy, power, and warning. Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. The people refused to repent. Their nation worshiped false gods, oppressed God’s people, and had countless opportunities to turn back. God’s judgment wasn’t rushed—it was restrained until the appointed time.

4. The Sins of One Can Negatively Affect Many

We don’t always like this truth, but it is seen all throughout Scripture. Think of Achan in Joshua 7:21-26—one man’s sin brought defeat upon the entire camp and his family. Likewise, Pharaoh’s stubbornness and rebellion brought devastating consequences upon his own people. Yes, sometimes the innocent suffers because of the sins of others. This is why leadership matters. This is why repentance matters. This is why obedience matters.

5. Were the Firstborn Babies? Not Necessarily

When we read “firstborn,” many imagine infants or toddlers. That could be the case at times. But they could have been a teen, adult, or elder. The assumption that these were all babies is not supported by the text. We must be careful not to inject our own emotional images into the account without scriptural backing.

6. And Even If Some Were Young…

This may be difficult to consider, but even if some were babies or young children, God is still just. He knows what’s ahead. In a nation so steeped in idolatry and rebellion, being removed early could even be seen—through a divine lens—as an act of mercy. This could also be said about the young who died in the days of the world-wide flood. This doesn’t sit well with modern ears. But God sees the beginning from the end. He knows the future paths of every soul.

7. God’s Ways Are Always Pure

“The words of the Lord are pure words…” – Psalm 12:6

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.” – Psalm 145:17

God is not like man. His judgments are never out of cruelty, spite, or vengeance as we know it. His ways are always driven by truth, holiness, and justice. That includes the judgment on Egypt’s firstborn.

8. His Thoughts Are Not Our Thoughts

“'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord." – Isaiah 55:8

We must remember that God sees from eternity. He sees the full story. We only see a page. When we wrestle with hard things in scripture, it’s okay to ask questions—but we must also trust His character.