2 thoughts...

1. 'We' seem to be hard on the Jews and apostles for not believing in the signs of Jesus. Those signs were mostly localized, with few people in attendance. Jesus even tried to prevent people from sharing the wonders they had seen. So, it is not totally surprising that many did not believe His works and accused Him of evil. The Jews heard the stories of the plagues they knew several of the early plagues were copied by the magicians of Egypt. However, the magicians could not produce the plagues on the scale that God did. I am astounded that it took 8 plagues for the Egyptians to believe in God's power. Ex 10:7 Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?"

I mean seriously, the ENTIRE COUNTRY is covered in frogs, gnats, flies, boils, hail, livestock dies and they don't believe. We only have it recorded that Pharaoh's heart was hard, what was the deal with everyone else? God's power is demonstrated on such a grand scale, yet there were unbelievers. Let's cut the apostles some slack. More importantly, let's not be discouraged when someone doesn't respond to the Word. Our job is to spread the seed. God gives growth. There are some hearts that won't believe. Keep shining!

2. I had always assumed that in the 10th plague the only firstborn to die were children and baby livestock. (Not sure why, probably a picture from a long ago childrens' book or something...) When reading this time I noticed Ex. 12:30 ...for there was not a house where someone was not dead. There can't have been children in every house, right? So "the firstborn" must have meant anyone who was a firstborn, including adults? I would appreciate any thoughts on this.