Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month
each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month,
when all the members of the community of Israel
must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood
and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses
where they eat the lambs…On that same night I will pass through Egypt
and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals,
and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt.
I am the LORD.
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are,
and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.
No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 12-13
The book of Exodus chronicles the story of God freeing His people from bondage in Egypt. But it’s a narrative that tells a larger story—one that resonates for all of us, for all time.
Egypt represents sin and bondage. We are all held captive by our own sin … all in “Egypt” in one way or another: pride, selfishness, anger, lust, greed, idolatry, adultery, gossip, hatred, lying, stealing, cheating, gluttony, ad infinitum. The list is endless, and no amount of striving, working, getting up early, staying up late, reading a new book, or finding the right therapist can release us from the grip of sin.
Sin owns us. But God wants to free us.
Freedom for the Israelites came on Passover night. Exodus 12 instructed each family to take a lamb, then to take care of it. They were to bring it into their home. The family would get to know it as they loved it, fed it, cared for it—and when it came time to slit the throat of that animal and smear its blood over the door frame, it would be difficult. The lamb was real. It was known. The act of taking its life would be very personal … exponentially more difficult than going to the marketplace and purchasing an unknown lamb.
God’s instructions were clear: The blood must be there on Passover night for that family to be protected when the angel of the Lord would pass over.
By an act of faith, the Israelites believed God.
By an act of faith, the Israelites painted their doorframes red with the blood of their beloved lamb.
Their faith resulted in their salvation; they were set free from bondage. Their exodus to freedom is recorded in Exodus 12:51.
The Old Testament sacrificial system required something to die for someone to live. Hebrews 9:22 confirms, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness…”
Sin must be atoned.
Death would bring life.
Sobering thoughts, but as we prepare our hearts for Easter, we must reflect solemnly on our sin, so we can celebrate the One who died to save us from it. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, freed us from ourselves.
Is His blood painted over the door of your heart?
When judgment day comes, will the angel of the Lord pass over you—not because your list has been fixed by you, but because Jesus blotted it out by his blood?
I’m praying that thoughts of our Passover Lamb prompt sobering thoughts and transforming conversations for you and your family, as you prepare your hearts for Easter this year.
This week, the II Kings Bible study focuses on King Hezekiah, one of the final kings—and one of the few good kings—of the southern kingdom of Judah. We invite you to watch today as Laura shares three important lessons we can learn from the life of Hezekiah.
