Last January 1st I read forum about a head pastor that had an argument with a non-member of his church. The non-member asked why did God let the first born male children died in Egypt. I don't know exactly happened, but the response of the pastor is summed up to the statement: there are things that should be accepted the way they are, and that's open-mindedness. I agree with what he have said, but maybe the reason why this non-member seemed cantankerous is because his questions weren't answered directly. He wanted to be enlightened, so he is seeking for answers. Knowing that he is the head pastor, stereotyped as intelligent, the non-member presumed that his questions to a head pastor would be given clarity. But, it seems like that wasn't the case. If the Pastor was able to give the answers that the non-member needs to know, would there be such kind of issue? And, based on the exchanges of posts in the forum thread between the non-member's friend and the head pastor, shouldn't he said things in a calm, convincing way rather than his provocative, condemning tone? I want to ask this question, is that open-mindedness?
The moment I read that forum, I also asked myself: why did God allowed it to happen? Of what I have understood on the Bible story I have read, this massive killing of the the first born male children is a punishment, not to the children but to the Egyptians and the Pharaoh for enslaving His people of Israel. First born male children are the heir of their father. Killing the first born male children of Egyptians, including the son of the Pharaoh, removes the heirs of the enslaving land. It's like cutting the effect from its root.
“But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.”(Genesis 15:14)
