The people bowed down low to the ground, and the Israelites went away and did exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.
Into the Text
As the Israelites were attempting to leave Egypt, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. He would not let them go, so God brought multiple plagues upon him and his nation. The Passover happened during the tenth and last plague, which was the death of the firstborn. The firstborn of every family was to be killed in one night.
God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a spotless lamb and smear its blood across the doorway of their homes. The Israelites “did exactly as the LORD had commanded.” The angel of death passed over their homes. Their obedience led to their salvation.
Throughout the Old Testament, the shedding of blood to atone for sins was quite prolific. It was gory and a very visual reminder of the seriousness of our sin. It showed humanity that every sin must be accounted for. Every sin must be covered by the blood of a perfect sacrifice. These sacrifices were only a foreshadowing of what Christ would do once and for all on the cross.
Just as the Israelites had to take action to obey God’s command and trust in the blood to protect them, so we, too, take action to obey the truth of the gospel. The obedience God calls us to is that we put our faith in Jesus Christ as the “unblemished and spotless” Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In Him we find salvation.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God. It is by your blood that I am saved. Thank you for laying down your life to provide atonement for my sins so that I can be forgiven. Amen.