Jump Start # 3871
Exodus 12:13 “The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Our verse today is the salvation for Israel. After a series of plagues, each one more intense than the one before, God was bringing death upon the land. Pharaoh refused to let Israel go. The more he dug his heels in the worse things were becoming for Egypt. Now, the final strike would be the death of the first born. That included humans and that included animals. The hope for Israel was putting the blood of a year old lamb on the door posts of their homes. The lamb was to be an unblemished male. If Israel didn’t do that, death would enter their home as well. Later, this act was remembered in the Passover memorial and this was an indication of the coming death of Jesus. It was His blood that saved those who believed.
A long time ago, when I was a student at Purdue, I knew a few students that were in veterinary school. That was a tough field to get through. Some flunked out and went down to IU and became medical doctors, which sounds a bit scary. I don’t know if there is a difference in the blood of a male and female lamb.
But, consider the caution and carefulness and seriousness that Israel took with God’s word. Do you think they would have used any blood? What if they had some red paint in a shed. Do you think they would use red paint? What if they had used the blood of a female lamb? What if they had used the blood of a two year old lamb? Neighbors may not have known, but God would. He would recognize the difference between paint and blood. He recognized the difference between the blood of lambs and the blood of some other animal. God would know known if the blood came from a year old lamb or a ten year old lamb. God knew.
And, do you think if you were a first born or a parent back in those days that you would have put a drop or two on the doorposts? Do you think you would? No way. You’d paint that doorpost red. You’d want to make sure that God saw the blood. A drop wouldn’t do the job.
Now, do you see a bridge to the way we approach God today?
First, some are content to do just a little as possible. Hurry through worship as fast as we can so we can get back to doing what we want to do. Such folks want songs sung without all the verses, sermons that are short, prayers that are brief and a quick Lord’s Supper. Let’s get done so we can go eat. Let’s get done so we can go watch TV. Let’s get done so we can do what we want.
I tend to think that attitude amounts to about one drop of blood on the doorpost. Would that be enough? Could God even see that? If you were a first born, would that satisfy you? Would you feel safe with just a drop or two of blood on the doorposts? I’m not a first born, but I know I’d want an excessive amount. When done, folks would think I had a red door.
The Ethiopian in Acts 8 was going home from worship. Worship was over, but not for him. He was riding in his chariot reading Isaiah. The Ethiopian was not a one drop Christian.
Second, some things that God requires are not pleasant. I’ve never painted with blood. I expect it isn’t smooth like paint and the mess would be hard to clean up. Blood on clothes often ruins the clothes. To make matters even more difficult, Israel wasn’t using paint brushes. They were to apply the blood to the door posts with hyssop, which was a plant. This was a plant that grew in the area and was used in many different applications. It was something that was available to Israel. I don’t think any of us would cut the branch of a shrub to use as a paint brush in our homes. Logistically, the blood would not be applied evenly. It would take some strokes and dipping and making sure there was enough blood to go all around the door frame. This would take some time. This would be messy.
And, so is forgiving someone. That can take some time. That can be messy. That is often not pleasant. Hurt feelings and hurt lives take a lot of grace, patience and love to get things better again. Hyssop as a brush and blood as the paint is what God wanted Israel to do. And, loving our enemies and praying for those who have wronged us is what God wants us to do. Both, unpleasant.
Third, God saw what Israel had done with the blood. Death passed over the homes of Israel. When that new morning dawned, and those who were first born, opened their eyes, what joy, thankfulness and love for the Lord filled their hearts. God had saved them. God’s way was right. If any in Israel didn’t do that, they woke to a morning of death and sorrow. Some might have thought that this was silly. Some might have declared that it was wasteful to kill so many young lambs. Some might have reasoned that other things would work just as well. And, if they followed their logic, many woke up with a loved one who died that night.
And, God sees our hearts. He knows our faith. He knows how hard we are trying. He knows how much we love Him. He knows when we are playing in worship. He knows when we have a broken and contrite heart. Just as God could see the blood on the doorposts in ancient Israel, God can see your heart and knows what you are going through.
Blood on the doorposts. A piece of ancient Biblical history. A reminder to us. A reflection that ought to help.
Roger