Meaning of Hebrews 11:28

This verse from Hebrews 11:28 highlights the foundational role of faith in the Israelite deliverance from Egyptian bondage, specifically through the institution of the Passover. The author asserts that Moses, acting by faith, instituted the Passover observance and the sprinkling of blood on the doorposts. This act was not merely a ritual but a demonstration of obedience to God's command, a faith-filled response to a divine directive that, in turn, secured the lives of the Israelite firstborn from the plague of death sent upon Egypt. The "destroyer" here refers to the angel of death, a divine agent of judgment, whose destructive power was averted for those who adhered to God's prescribed means of protection.

Context and Background

The passage in Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," recounts the deeds of various biblical figures who exemplified profound faith. This verse specifically refers to the events surrounding the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, as described in Exodus chapters 7-12. God ordained the Passover as a memorial feast and a means of salvation for the Israelites. The instructions were precise: each family was to select a lamb, slaughter it, and apply its blood to the two doorposts and the lintel of their houses. This blood served as a divine sign, marking the homes of the Israelites so that the angel of death would "pass over" them when he struck down the firstborn sons of Egypt. Moses, as the leader chosen by God, was instrumental in communicating and ensuring the execution of this divine command.

Key Themes and Messages

• Faith as Obedience: The verse emphasizes that faith is not passive belief but active obedience to God's word, even when the reasons are not fully understood or the action seems unconventional. Moses' action was an act of faith because he trusted God's promise of protection and deliverance, even though the threat was immense.
• Divine Protection: The Passover ritual demonstrates God's power to protect His people from judgment and death. The blood was the tangible sign of God's covenant and His protective power.
• Sacrifice and Atonement: The shedding of the lamb's blood foreshadows the concept of atonement. The innocent lamb's life was taken so that the firstborn might live, pointing toward a greater sacrifice to come.
• Distinction Between Believers and Non-Believers: The blood marked the homes of the Israelites, distinguishing them from the Egyptians. This highlights a spiritual distinction between those who obey God and those who do not, particularly in times of judgment.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance of Hebrews 11:28 is profound, extending beyond the historical event. For believers, the Passover lamb and its blood are seen as a powerful type or prefigurement of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from physical death, the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, protects believers from spiritual death and the wrath of God. By faith in Christ's sacrifice, individuals are "passed over" from death to life. The application of this verse in contemporary life involves trusting in Jesus' atoning work for salvation and living in obedience to His commands, which are now the markers of our identity in Him.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a pivotal moment in the Exodus narrative, marking the climax of God's intervention to liberate His people from slavery. It is the foundational event for the Jewish people, establishing the annual Passover festival as a perpetual reminder of God's redemptive power and covenant faithfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself institutes the Last Supper during Passover, linking His impending sacrifice directly to this ancient deliverance. The entire biblical narrative, from creation to redemption, is a story of God's initiative to save His people, often through sacrificial means and by demanding faith as the human response. The Passover is a crucial early illustration of this overarching theme.

Analogies

One analogy for the Passover blood is a security system. Just as a modern security system, when properly activated, prevents unauthorized entry and protects a home, the blood of the Passover lamb, applied by faith, served as a divine signal that identified protected households to the angel of death. Another analogy is a doctor's prescription. The doctor (God) provides a specific remedy (the lamb and its blood) for a life-threatening illness (divine judgment). Obedience to the prescription (applying the blood by faith) is essential for healing and survival.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 12:1-14: This is the primary Old Testament account detailing the institution of the Passover, providing the historical context for Hebrews 11:28.
• John 1:29: John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," directly linking Jesus to the sacrificial imagery of the Passover lamb.
• 1 Corinthians 5:7: Paul states, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This verse explicitly makes the theological connection between the Old Testament Passover and the sacrifice of Jesus.
• Romans 5:8-9: This passage speaks of being justified by Christ's blood and saved from wrath through Him, paralleling the protection afforded by the Passover blood.
• Hebrews 9:11-28: This chapter further elaborates on Christ's sacrifice as a superior and eternal atonement, contrasting it with the Levitical sacrificial system which, like the Passover, pointed to a greater reality.