Wanderings & Wonders: "The Passover" - Exodus 11 - Mike Maglish

The Passover

Exodus 11
Mike Maglish

Part of Wanderings & WondersLessons from the Wilderness

June 22, 2025

29 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. —Exodus 12:29 

God is not a CRUEL JUDGE 

23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? —Ezekiel 18:23 

“God could have gone straight to the tenth plague, but He didn’t. He sent nine others first—not to torment Pharaoh, but to wake him up. The plagues were God’s megaphone to a deaf king. That’s grace.” - Tim Keller 

22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.” —Exodus 1:22 

We can choose DEATH over SUBMISSION 

“The text presents Pharaoh as a responsible agent throughout. Even when God hardens his heart, Pharaoh is never portrayed as a passive victim but as an active participant in his own downfall.” (Terence Fretheim - Exodus, Interpretation Commentary) 

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” —John 3:16-17 

God is STILL patient 

Exodus 12:13: 
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you…” 
Exodus 12:14: 
“This day shall be for you a memorial… throughout your generations.” 

• A spotless lamb was killed 
• Blood was applied to the doorposts 
• Judgment passed over the households 
• Israel was freed from Egypt that night26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” —Matthew 26:26–29 

“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” —1 Corinthians 5:7 

Takeaway: God’s Judgment PASSES OVER all who RECEIVE the blood.