God Sends Light To Guide His People

Solomon continues praying:

1 A bright light was shining on your chosen people. And although the Egyptians could not see your people, they could hear them and considered them lucky, because they were not suffering. 2The Egyptians were thankful that the people they had abused were not abusing them in return, and so they begged your chosen people for forgiveness. 3Then, with a flaming fire at night and with the warmth of the sun during the day, you guided your people through places they had never traveled before. 4Their enemies deserved to be prisoners of absolute darkness, because they had imprisoned your children, who would bring the light of your Law to the world.

Death of the First-Born Sons of the Egyptians

Solomon continues praying:

5The Egyptians wanted to kill the newborn sons of your chosen people, but Moses was rescued and survived. Then you decided to punish the Egyptians by killing their first-born sons and by drowning their army in the sea. 6However, the night before our ancestors left Egypt, you warned them of what would happen. So they were able to celebrate, knowing that you would keep your promise 7to rescue your obedient people and to destroy their enemies, just as they knew you would.

8By these same events you punished your enemies and rewarded us, your chosen people. 9At this time also, the wonderful ancestors of our holy nation secretly offered sacrifices to you, and all of them agreed to obey your Law, so that together they would share in the same blessings and dangers. Already they were singing hymns of praise to you, 10while their enemies cried bitter tears and made mournful sounds over the death of their children. 11Every family suffered the same punishment, whether they were slaves or slave owners, ordinary people or royalty. 12In one brief moment, the dearest child in each family died, leaving not even enough people to bury the dead. 13 The Egyptians had been deceived by displays of magic. However, after the death of their first-born sons, they realized that we were the children of God.

14 In the middle of the night--when all was peaceful and quiet-- 15your mighty word came down from your royal throne in heaven to attack a doomed land. Your word was like a fierce warrior 16carrying a sharp sword and ready to obey your every command by killing people everywhere. When he stood on the earth, his head touched the sky. 17-19Many of the Egyptians died a dreadful death that night, but not before nightmares and terrifying dreams showed them why they were being punished.

God's People in the Desert

Solomon continues praying:

20 For a while, you were angry with your people in the desert and killed many of them with a terrible disease. 21Then a good man by the name of Aaron came to their rescue by using prayer and incense as a shield to protect your people from punishment for their sins, because he was a priest. So he stood up against your anger and ended the disaster. 22He did not convince the crowd and end their suffering by his own strength or by weapons--he did it by reminding them of the wonderful agreements you had made with our ancestors.

23Piles of dead bodies were everywhere when Aaron succeeded in turning away your anger, and in keeping others from being struck down. 24 And his long robe symbolized the entire universe, while the four rows of precious stones on his breastpiece stood for our glorious ancestors, and his turban represented you, our majestic God. 25At the sight of these, the death angel retreated in fear. A little of your anger was enough.