He Will Pass Over Us!

Exodus 12:13,23 - Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

This is far from being anything new (nothing new under the sun!).

The people of Israel were in captivity in Egypt watched as God used Moses and Aaron exact plagues on Pharaoh and Egypt. Plague after plague came upon them but Pharaoh would not let these people go out of the city to worship their God. His heart was hardened.

The last plague was to be administered and God told Moses what he was to say to Pharaoh. This would be the judgment that would finally frustrate Pharaoh. This last plague would have been devastating. All Egyptian families and livestock would be affected. All the firstborn would be killed. This would truly get Pharaoh’s attention and bring much grief.

None of God’s people, Israel, would be affected so long as they did as God instructed Moses to instruct the people. They were to take an unblemished year old male lamb and on a certain day at a certain time they were to kill it and prepare it for a meal. The blood was to be applied to the doorposts and lintel of any home preparing this meal. It was their protection. When God came through the land He would kill any firstborn of a house without the blood at the door. All the people of Israel would be saved.

This is symbolic, a precursor, of what Christ’s blood has done for those who receive Him. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. When we receive Him His blood covers us, spiritually. He was killed that we might live. God will protect us from the destroyer. I think that destroyer can be satan and his lies or those who hate us for our beliefs. If we should die defending our faith, we will be in that truly better place. It will be worth it.

As I say often, this is not a head knowledge of Jesus. This is a heart knowledge, having His Spirit living within us and guiding us.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing but the blood. There’s a scripture that is so powerful and true: Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1Corinthians 10:11-12) There is a reason for the Bible. To reveal God’s glory and judgment, reveal Christ and His saving grace, point us to what is right and true and point us to our salvation in Jesus Christ alone. If we don’t know the Bible, how can we understand this? We must search for ourselves and let God show Himself to each of us personally.

When God has had enough of what’s going on in this world He will bring about judgment. While this example was for Israel and Egypt, it’s also for us and the world today. There are signs listed in the Book. More than the signs, there is scripture after scripture showing us what we need to do to receive Christ, to know Him and be saved by Him. When we search for them and call out to Him for His wisdom, He will show us...and some day when this judgment hits, He will pass over us. It’s so important to know this. He sacrificed His life for us. How can we take this so matter of fact-like? It needs to be taken seriously.

Romans 5:8-10 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Everlasting Ordinance

Exodus‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭- So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.

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I'm sure I've written about this before. This is about Israel just before God delivered them out of Egypt. They were instructed by God, through Moses and Aaron, to do some things. Although it speaks of a celebration, the Passover, the everlasting ordinance that would be between God and His people, it is clear that it is the everlasting ordinance between God and "whosoever will" believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved and have everlasting life. 

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ‭‭(John‬ ‭3:14-15‬)

Ordinance: An action prescribed, statute.

This ordinance speaks of a feast, which the Jewish people still celebrate, in remembrance of that day thousands of years ago. I'm sure you know the story. Each family was to kill a spotless lamb, apply the blood to the doorposts and lintels of their home, then roast the meat and eat all of it...or if there was any remaining, burn it. The angel of the Lord would come later and kill all the firstborn of every Egyptian household, both man and beast. It would be brutal. But none of the people of Israel would be touched because of that blood on the doorposts of the homes of the Jews. It was an everlasting ordinance between God and His people.

They would be set free from their captivity in Egypt. They would then be led to the land which God had already set aside for them. 

Our salvation is like this. We receive Christ, through the blood of our spotless Lamb of God, and through Him alone we are set free from the slavery of the world's clutches (Egypt). Through this sacrifice of His life for ours...and then ours for Him...we have entered into a new birth, new life, new land that God has promised to those who believe. 

However, if one has not applied that blood to the doorposts of their heart, it will not happen. It is a heart matter. It is not an intellectual knowing of who Jesus is, but a heart knowing of Him. We recognize and regret our sins, repent of them and thank Him for His wonderful act of love on that cross for each of those "whosoever will" receive Him.

We can proclaim each day the salvation that saved us from the evil one who wishes to daily take control of our lives. We become part of the very same everlasting ordinance. We claim the right to say we are the children of God, not by the good things we do but by the very sacrifice of that spotless Lamb of God. Not our plan for salvation, but God's plan for mankind's salvation.

Is that blood of the Lamb over your heart? Have you decided to give your life to the One who gave His? It's the only way it can be done. Remember...it can be an everlasting ordinance, something God requires. Yet His requirements are for our good...for our life everlasting. Won't you consider it. Won't you share the idea with your friends and family? 

Exodus 12:23-24 - For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.