THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
Refer to the commentary on Exodus 8:16. If neither of these actions—the slaughter of the firstborn and the spillage of blood—takes place among the Israelites, do not be surprised, and do not dismiss the idea of eradicating evil as inconsistent with the truth. Here, the distinction between the Israelites and Egyptians represents the contrast between righteousness and wickedness. Therefore, if the term Israelite signifies a righteous individual, it follows that what needs to be extinguished are not the initial stages of virtue, but rather those elements that are more detrimental than beneficial.
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Thus, God has wisely instructed us to eradicate the seeds of the Egyptian lineage so that what is evil, being lessened through the annihilation of its origins, may give way to an abundance of goodness. This understanding aligns with historical patterns. For through the shedding of blood, the safeguarding of Israel’s descendants is achieved, ensuring the flourishing of righteousness; meanwhile, what achieves its ultimate corruption and could have propagated the Egyptian lineage was eliminated before it could fully manifest its malice. This elevated perspective we propose is further elucidated by the elements of this narrative. It is designated to serve as nourishment for the body from which the blood is poured, and the sign presented at the door saves us from the destroyer of the Egyptians.