September 2, 2016
Exodus 12:21-23
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
If From Egypt To Canaan is an Old Testament picture of our New Testament Christian life, then Exodus 12:21 through 23 shows forth what happens when we are saved. Let’s take a look at this Scripture:
Then Moses…said…“Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to
your families, and kill the passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of
hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the
two doorposts with the blood….And none of you shall go out of the door
of his house until morning. For the LORD will pass through to strike the
Egyptians; and when He sees the blood…the LORD will pass over the door
and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.”
Now, let’s apply this to our New Testament experience of salvation:
• Exodus 12:21 – “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves….” This puts a responsibility upon the individual. God has done everything necessary for our salvation! (See Ephesians 2:8, 9). Jesus died on the cross in our place, the only perfect sacrifice for our sins! (See Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:26, 28; I Peter 2:24). He arose from the grave three days later, ever to live to apply that salvation to all who come to Him in faith! (See Luke 24:46; Hebrews 7:25). He offers us to be cleansed from the filth of sin, and be clothed with His own perfect righteousness! (See Isaiah 61:10; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:14). But we must choose Him! (See John 1:12; 3:15, 16; 3:36; Revelation 22:17). Jesus is a gentleman! He will not force Himself on anyone! (See Revelation 3:20).
Also, it must be a lamb! Another kind of animal won’t do! And the lamb must be perfect and unblemished – a yearling (at the height of its young life)! (See Exodus 12:5). Why? Because Jesus is “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). And He is perfect (see I Peter 1:19; 2:22; I John 3:5), in the prime of manhood! (See Luke 3:23).
• Exodus 12:21 – “…according to your families….” While we have individual responsibility to make the decision to accept or reject the Lord Jesus Christ, our decision (and consequent related decisions) affects our family, both immediate and future generations! (See Exodus 20:5, 6). We also have encouragement from the words of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” I have claimed God’s promise that my family will be saved because I have put my faith in the Lord Jesus! But I am called to live faithfully for Him!
• Exodus 12:21 – “…and kill the passover lamb.” Jesus Christ would do us no good at all if He was just a good teacher and example! As He Himself said in Luke 9:22, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” He must…be killed ! For the sacrifice He was providing to cover our sin, and to be accepted before God, had to involve death! “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23), and “The soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).
• Exodus 12:22 – “And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood….” A bloodless sacrifice will not suffice! For “…without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sin].” (Hebrews 9:22). And John wrote in I John 1:7, “…the blood of Jesus Christ…[God’s] Son cleanses us from all sin.” In I Peter 1:18 and 19, Peter adds this:
…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or
gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot.
Isaiah prophesied the result of Jesus’ sacrifice in Isaiah 1:18: “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He died, so that we might have eternal life!
Why was the blood applied to the lintel (the overhead part of the framework of the doorway) and the two doorposts? Because we are to be surrounded and inundated with the blood – every part of us and the lives we live! We are totally protected by the blood of the Lamb of God from condemnation and the judgement of hell that unbelievers face! (See John 3:36; 5:24). The blood was not applied to the door sill, for it is not to be trodden upon! (See Hebrews 10:29).
• Exodus 12:22 – “And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.” We are totally safe when and only if we stay within the confines of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ! (See John 5:24; 17:12).
• Exodus 12:23 – “For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood…the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” In the first blog of this series, I said, “It has long been recognized by Bible scholars through the ages that Egypt represents the godless world!” God will judge the godless world! Such judgment is sure to come! It is inevitable because God has said so! (See II Peter 3:7-12). And “…the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” (Mark 14:49). But by the blood of Jesus, we are safe! Here is what Jesus proclaimed in John 5:24 (Good News for Modern Man):
I am telling you the truth: those who hear My words and believe in Him
who sent Me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already
passed from death to life.
In Jesus we will be protected and passed over in the day of eternal judgment to damnation! Don’t fail to be found safe under the blood of the Lamb of God ! Accept Him as your Savior today! Then follow Him daily as your Lord!