Exodus 11-12
This animal must be a one–year–old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no physical defects. – Exodus 12:5 NLT
Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. – 1 Corinthians 5:7 NLT
The tenth and final plague would bring death to the people of Egypt. God would take the life of every firstborn, in every household in the land of Egypt, including Pharaoh's. The loss would be great. No family would escape it, unless they followed God's plan. And that plan probably sounded a little far-fetched, a little bit strange. They were to take a 0ne-year-old lamb or goat, the best of their flock, without blemish, sacrifice it, then sprinkle its blood on the doorpost and lintel of their homes. Then they were to remain inside their homes so that the angel of God would pass over their homes, sparing their firstborn from death. This plan had to sound strange, even to the children of Israel. It included odd instructions about unleavened bread and purging their homes of all leaven. But those that obeyed God's instructions were spared the loss of their firstborn. Those that did not, were visited with death and loss.
In his commentary on Exodus, John Gill has this to say about the passover lamb. "This lamb was a type of Christ, who is therefore said to be our passover sacrificed for us, comparable to a lamb for his innocence and harmlessness, for his meekness, humility, and patience, for usefulness both for food and raiment, as well as for being fit for sacrifice; and who is a lamb without spot and blemish, either of original sin, or actual transgression, holy in his nature, harmless in his life." Jesus has done for us what each passover lamb did for the children of Israel. He died so that His blood could cover our sins. "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God" (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT). Jesus gave His life so that death would not visit our doorstep. Death was coming to every household in Egypt – regardless of their nationality, status, religious disposition, or moral standing. It was inevitable and unstoppable. But it could be avoided by following God's of salvation. The same holds true today. Death, eternal separation from God, is coming to every household, every person, who lives today. But that death sentence can be avoided by accepting God's plan of salvation – the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our sin substitute. To many it sounds odd and even ridiculous that this plan is the only plan. For others, they doubt that death is really coming, so they ignore the offer of salvation. Many think they can save themselves. I am sure that there were those who believed the same things during the time of Moses. There were those who refused to believe Moses' warning. There were those who tried to do it their way and save themselves. There were those who thought all this talk of lambs, blood, unleavened bread and death was silly. And they lived to regret it. They suffered great loss.
But for those who obeyed, they were spared. But they were also delivered. And they were also blessed. Not only were they able to leave their slavery behind and walk away as free men, but they did so with their pockets full of the treasure of the Egyptians. God had blessed them with abundance – wealth beyond their wildest dreams. But wealth for a reason. God had a plan for that plunder. It would be used to build a tabernacle or dwelling place for Him. As believers we have been set free, released from slavery to sin and are able to walk in freedom, thanks to the blood of Jesus Christ. And God has blessed us beyond belief. "How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ" (Ephesians 1:3 NLT). We who were poor are now rich in Christ. He has blessed us and filled us with His Spirit. He has made us His heirs. He has called us His children. We have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We are walking witnesses of His grace, mercy, power, and the truth of His redemptive plan. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed for us, and we have been set free.
Father, You have told us in Your word, that "if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free" (John 8:36). I have been set free from sin by Jesus, but I don't always live free. That if my fault, not His. I choose to remain in slavery to sin. Will You give me a passion to live as a free man, not a slave. Will you open my eyes to the reality of my position as a child of God, not a slave to sin. I have been delivered from captivity, but too often, I willingly go back and live as if I was still a slave. But I am free indeed! I am delivered. I am forgiven. Show me how to live that way. So that You might receive the glory every day of my life. Amen.