S – “…And every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at the grindstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock. ⁶ Then there will be a great cry of anguish through all the land of Egypt such as never was before or ever will be again

Exodus 11:5–6 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The judgment was specific: in every Egyptian family the firstborn son would die in the middle of the night—from the poorest of the poor (the firstborn son of the slave girl) to the royal household (the firstborn son of Pharaoh). A firstborn son received special honor and a Pharaoh’s son, heir to the throne, was even considered a god. The wailing over the loss of sons would be unprecedented.

 “Exodus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Death is an equalizer for everyone.  Everyone will die and God holds the timing.  The firstborn son represents legacy, lineage and continuation in many cultures.  Even in Egyptian culture of being a God.  All of it comes is subjected to God’s will and sovereignty. We must submit our children to God.  We must surrender our parenting and will to God.  This allows our lives and our children to grow and be aligned with God’s will.  Then, no matter when death comes, our legacy will remain.

R – Lord, I no longer fear death.  To be absent from this earth means to be present with you.  Let my time on earth be aligned with your will and purposes for my life.  Let my parenting be life-giving to my children and grand children.  Help me model a relationship with Christ that draws them to a healthy, vibrant relationship of their own.