Exodus 12 – May 29

Exodus 12 marks the establishment of one of the most significant practices that the Jews would carry out for generations. The final plague that the Lord sent against the Egyptians was the death of the firstborn son of every family. Unlike many plagues, the Israelites were not automatically exempted. The land of Goshen was just as much a target as everywhere else. However, there was a way of escape.

The Angel of Death?

Perhaps you have been taught that it was ‘the angel of death’ that came and killed the firstborn children of Egypt. This is the way that some translations have chosen to translate Hebrews 11:28. For example, the NLT states, “It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.”  However, in the Greek the word “angel” does not appear. The actual literal translation is that “the one who destroyed the firstborn…” In Exodus, the Lord makes it inescapably clear that He would be the one to pour out judgment on the firstborn son. For example, “At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt…” (vs. 29) Why would God do this? What is the point? There are at least two distinct purposes at play. First, we find in verse 12 that this is a way to prove with finality that the gods of Egypt are not real gods. “I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. “ Secondly, consider that God left this plague as the last because of how incredibly devastating it is. With that in mind, consider that God also has a Son. Jesus is referred to as “the firstborn of all creation” in Col. 1:15, and the “firstborn of many brothers” in Rom. 8:29. He is the firstborn, and only Son of God. Yet, God poured out His wrath on His own Son at great expense to Himself so that He might deliver us from bondage to sin and Satan.

The Lamb

The Israelites were commanded to select a lamb that had no defect or blemish. (vs 5) They would identify the animal on the 10^th day of the month, and then kill it on the 14^th day. In that intervening time, the lamb was to live with them in their homes. 1 Peter 1:19 tells us that Jesus Christ is the true and better Lamb without spot or blemish. 1 Cor. 5:7 links it even more explicitly by stating that, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” When John the Baptist saw Jesus in John 1:29, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” The entire reason God required the Israelites to carry out this task of finding, living with, and killing a spotless lamb was in order to foreshadow the Lamb that would one day come in perfection to live among them until they likewise killed Him. 

The Blood

In order to be saved from the judgment of God, a Passover lamb must be killed and its blood be spread over the doorposts and mantle of the house. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” And the next chapter adds, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.’” When we sing songs about being ‘washed in the blood’, or ‘there is a fountain filled with blood,’ it is because there is a promise for all who have the blood of Jesus as their covering. The promise is that the judgment of God will Passover you.