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I. WE SHALL NOTICE SOME OF THE PARTICULARS DETAILED IN THIS REMARKABLE HISTORY. It is of no utility we read it, if it be not with care for our instruction.

1. Evidently there was a Divine design in this event. All events are of Providence, and not a single death takes place, however man seeks to shun it, without its concurrence. But in this ease, God obviously determined on giving palpable proof of His hand, that the blindest of the Egyptians should be able to see and own it.

(1)  There was method in the dispensation.

(2)  The time was remarkable.

(3)  There was no death in any of the families of the Israelites.

2. Let us ascertain what was the design of God in this peculiar visitation of the Egyptians. He may bear long in patience with the unjust and cruel, but not always, and the lingering stroke will fall the more heavily at last.

II. WHEN GOD RESOLVES ON PUNISHING THE REBELLIOUS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY HIS HAND.

1. How sudden was the infliction l No sign was given to the rebellious of this particular calamity; for they had been furnished with signs which, they had net properly regarded.

2. What may we suppose were the contemplations and feelings of the Israelites during these solemn proceedings? No doubt they had often been tempted to think hardly of Providence that had given them such evil things, and the Egyptians their good things of wealth and prosperity, at their cost. Now what a reverse! "He is not unrighteous who taketh vengeance."

III. THE SCENES OF MORTALITY, STILL SO COMMON IN OUR WORLD, OUGHT TO PRODUCE IN US A DISPOSITION TO THINE OF OUR OWN APPROACHING DISSOLUTION. Let two things be well considered.

1. A sense of the transitory nature of earthly scenes unquestionably is most necessary as a preparation and stimulus to seek the salvation of the soul. 2 What is it to be prepared for death? There is no other question equal in importance to this. You must see and feel yourself a lost sinner without Christ as your Saviour.

(Essex Remembrancer.)

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KJV: And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

WEB: It happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck 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 livestock.