Meaning of Exodus 12:7

This verse describes a crucial directive given by God to the Israelites concerning the Passover lamb, a ritual commanded in anticipation of the final plague upon Egypt. The blood, to be applied to the doorposts (sides and top), was not a mere symbolic gesture but a divinely ordained sign that would distinguish the homes of the Israelites from those of the Egyptians, thereby sparing them from the death of their firstborn sons. This act was a tangible representation of obedience and faith, marking the dwellings as under divine protection.

Context and Background

Exodus 12 is the foundational chapter for the Passover observance. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, and God, through Moses and Aaron, had already brought ten plagues upon the Egyptians. The tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, was the one that would finally break Pharaoh's resistance and allow the Israelites to leave. The Passover ritual, detailed in this chapter, was God's specific instruction for how the Israelites were to protect themselves from this final, devastating plague. The application of the blood on the doorposts was a direct command, with the subsequent promise that when the Lord passed through to strike Egypt, He would see the blood on the doorposts and pass over the house, preventing the destroyer from entering.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes here are divine protection, atonement, and obedience. The blood of the lamb served as a visible sign of God's covenant and His promise to protect those who followed His instructions. It was an act of substitution; the blood of an innocent lamb stood in place of the firstborn son's life. Furthermore, the precise instructions for applying the blood underscore the importance of faithfulness in obedience. The Israelites were not to improvise; they were to follow God's word exactly, trusting in its efficacy.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this event is profoundly significant as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The blood of the Passover lamb, while effective for physical protection in Egypt, points to the blood of Jesus, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), whose sacrifice provides spiritual redemption and protection from sin and eternal death. For believers today, the principle of applying the "blood" – through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice – to the "doorposts" of our lives means acknowledging His Lordship and protection. It signifies a life marked by Christ, set apart for God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Exodus 12 is a pivotal moment in the Old Testament, establishing a central festival and a foundational understanding of salvation through sacrifice and divine intervention. It sets the stage for the ongoing relationship between God and Israel, marked by covenant and redemption. The Passover lamb's blood initiates a pattern of sacrificial atonement that continues throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system and culminates in the New Testament with the understanding of Christ's perfect and final sacrifice. The concept of being "passed over" by judgment due to a blood sacrifice is a recurring motif.

Analogies

One analogy for the blood on the doorposts is a warning sign on a dangerous road. While the sign itself doesn't prevent the danger, it alerts drivers to take a specific action (slow down, be cautious) that ensures their safety. Similarly, the blood was a sign that prompted God's protective action. Another analogy could be a vaccination. The vaccine doesn't eliminate the disease from the world, but it marks the vaccinated individual as protected from its deadly effects. In a similar vein, the blood marked the Israelite homes for divine protection.

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 links the shedding of blood to atonement and purification, a principle exemplified by the Passover lamb.
• 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you truly are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This New Testament passage explicitly identifies Jesus as the antitype of the Passover lamb, highlighting the fulfillment of this Old Testament type.
• John 1:29: "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" This verse directly connects Jesus to the sacrificial imagery of the lamb, echoing the protective and atoning role seen in Exodus 12.
• Revelation 7:14: "...'Sir, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" This verse in Revelation speaks of the ultimate redemption achieved through the blood of the Lamb, demonstrating the enduring significance of this sacrificial imagery.