Scripture Focus: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13, New International Version)
Chapter 12 of Exodus signals a turning point. It is more than just a historical record; it is a profound theological affirmation about the power of sacrifice, obedience, and redemption. At the heart of this event lies the Passover lamb—an emblem of divine protection, mercy, and freedom.
Notice that God commands Israel to reorder their calendar around the Passover event: “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.” (v. 2, New International Version). Israel’s life as a nation did not begin with political independence or economic prosperity, but with redemption provided by God. He resets their very sense of time. Our modern, fast-paced culture often ignores that our true lives begin when we encounter God’s saving grace. Reflect–has redemption defined the calendar of your life?
Cross Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Each Hebrew family carefully selected an unblemished lamb. The instructions were precise and intentional—they were to apply the lamb’s blood to their doorposts and lintel (v. 7). In an ancient Near Eastern context, doorways symbolized boundaries between the human and divine realms, between safety and danger, life and death. Marking this boundary with blood demonstrated trust in God’s promise of protection.
Western readers might miss the deeply relational aspect here. Ancient peoples often believed external, ritual acts unified them internally as families and communities. Passover was not an isolated, individual spiritual experience. Rather, it was profoundly communal and foundational to Israel’s national identity—a family meal that reminded them of their shared history and destiny.
Consider the power of rituals practiced communally. Are we Western Christians missing some of this spiritual enrichment by overly individualizing our faith?
Suggested cross-reference: Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)
At midnight, God strikes down the firstborn of Egypt (v. 29-30) while He spares Israel. This moment marks both judgment and salvation—the intersection of divine justice and divine mercy. As frightening and mysterious as judgment may seem, we grasp here the seriousness with which God views oppression, sin, and pride. Yet we also discover the security and compassion He gives those who trust His instructions.
Historically, important church figures like Augustine and Calvin emphasized God’s justice paired inseparably with mercy at Passover. Augustine saw the Passover lamb as pointing toward Christ, the ultimate Lamb who satisfies divine justice and provides redemption.
Indeed, the New Testament draws a direct line from Exodus 12 to Christ’s sacrifice. Paul articulates this clearly, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7, New International Version). Just as the lamb’s blood saved the Israelites, Christ’s blood redeems us from guilt and bondage.
Fascinating language nuance emerges from the Hebrew term pesach (פֶּסַח) often translated ‘Passover.’ Beyond simply ‘passing over,’ the word can imply “hovering protectively” or “shielding.” It beautifully describes God actively guarding His people from judgment, not merely skipping over them. God’s protection is not passive—it is profoundly active and personal.
Reflective connection: John 1:29, Revelation 5:12
Historically, some critics have questioned the Passover’s historicity due to lack of direct archaeological evidence in Egyptian sources. Yet, understanding Egyptian culture, Egyptian records rarely recorded embarrassing defeats. Nevertheless, there is archaeological and textual evidence supporting sizeable Semitic populations residing in Egypt who later relocated to Canaan, consistent with biblical chronology and events. Faith and historical reason thus intersect powerfully in these passages.
“Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady beautifully captures our reliance on divine mercy.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Almighty Father,
We praise You for Your powerful redemption, symbolized so clearly in the
Passover lamb and fully realized in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Open our
hearts to grasp Your love and sacrifice afresh. Make redemption the
central theme in our days, that we may stand in awe of Your holy
righteousness and tender mercy. May Your blood shield and protect us,
leading us from captivity to freedom in You. In the name of Jesus, our
Passover lamb, we pray.
Amen.