Meaning of Exodus 12:22

Exodus 12:22 instructs the Israelites, on the eve of their liberation from Egyptian bondage, to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts. This act was not merely symbolic but a divinely ordained sign of obedience and a means of protection. The blood, collected from the sacrificed lamb, served as a visible marker that distinguished Israelite households from Egyptian ones, thereby ensuring that the Angel of Death, sent by God to strike down the firstborn of Egypt, would "pass over" those homes marked with the blood. This directive underscores the critical importance of faith, obedience, and the sacrificial atonement that would become a central theme throughout Scripture.

Context and Background

This verse is situated within the narrative of the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, the plague of the firstborn. The preceding verses (Exodus 12:1-20) detail the institution of the Passover sacrifice, including the selection of a lamb, its slaughter, the eating of its flesh, and the command to use its blood. The Israelites were commanded to eat the Passover meal in haste, dressed for travel, signifying their readiness to depart. The application of the blood to the doorframe was the final protective measure before the plague was unleashed.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Protection and Deliverance: The primary message is God's power to protect His people from judgment and to deliver them from oppressive bondage. The blood acts as a shield.
• Obedience and Faith: The act of applying the blood demonstrates the Israelites' obedience to God's specific instructions and their faith in His promise of protection.
• Sacrifice and Atonement: The Passover lamb's blood foreshadows the concept of atonement through sacrifice, where an innocent life is taken to spare the guilty.
• Separation and Identification: The blood clearly marked Israelite homes, separating them from the Egyptians and identifying them as God's chosen people.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, the blood of the Passover lamb is a profound foreshadowing of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Just as the blood on the doorposts protected the Israelites from physical death, the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, provides spiritual protection from eternal death and condemnation for believers. The command to remain inside the house signifies reliance on God's provision and protection, and that salvation is found within the appointed means, not by one's own efforts or by venturing out into danger.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The Passover event, and specifically the use of blood for protection, is a foundational event in the Old Testament, establishing a pattern for future sacrifices and atonement. It is directly linked to the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who is proclaimed as "our Passover lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7). His sacrifice fulfills the typology of the Old Testament Passover, offering a complete and eternal redemption. The concept of "passing over" is echoed in the New Testament in God's "passing over" of sins for those in Christ.

Analogies

• A Shield: The blood on the doorposts acted as a shield, deflecting the destructive force of the plague. Similarly, Christ's blood is a spiritual shield protecting believers from the judgment due to sin.
• A Warning Sign: The blood served as a visible sign to the Angel of Death, indicating which houses were under God's protection. In the New Testament, faith in Christ acts as a sign of belonging to God, marking believers as redeemed.
• A Gatekeeper: The blood on the doorframe effectively acted as a divine gatekeeper, ensuring that the destructive force would not enter. Christ's sacrifice is the gate through which we enter into salvation.

Relation to Other Verses

• Hebrews 9:22: "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This verse directly connects the Old Testament practice of blood sacrifice, exemplified by the Passover, to the necessity of blood for atonement.
• 1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." This New Testament verse highlights the ongoing cleansing power of Christ's blood for believers who are "walking in the light."
• Revelation 7:14: The great multitude in heaven are those "who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." This imagery powerfully connects the blood of Christ to ultimate redemption and purity.