Safe When the Deadly Plague Passes Over

May 31

What makes this plague different from the other plagues?

Right before the exodus from Egypt the people of Israel had to shelter in place for a plague many times more deadly than the coronavirus. “Social distancing” from the Egyptians was enough to avoid the previous six plagues which didn’t impact the land of Goshen.[1] But for the final plague, more is needed. Simply staying at home isn’t enough.

The Israelites were instructed by G-d to set apart an unblemished year-old male lamb (or goat), one per family. After observing it for four days to ensure it met the qualifications for sacrifice, they slaughtered the lamb. Then each family applied the blood of that sacrifice to their doorposts before roasting and eating all of their lambs. “It is the Passover for HASHEM,” (Exodus 12:11), a special sacrifice securing joyful redemption for His people.

G-d says further, “The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. 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.” (Exodus 12:13)

Centrality of the Lamb

Unfortunately, in most seders as celebrated today, the “sign of the blood” aspect of Passover has moved to the background. That is different in the Torah. In the Torah the Passover lamb is not merely an incidental detail of the story of redemption; the lamb is absolutely central. The sacrificial lamb is identified with the name of the feast [2] which will memorialize Israel’s redemption from Egypt. The sacrifice is especially what is to be taught to succeeding generations of children and commemorated for all eternity. (Exodus 12:14, 25-27)

Repeated Object Lesson

We also note how in the Passover lamb the important lesson of the Akedah reverberates: “HASHEM will see to the lamb” (Genesis 22:7) was Abraham’s answer to Isaac who questioned the absence of a sacrificial animal. A qualified animal is needed – and is provided by G-d. (Genesis 22:13-14)

Further, the object lesson of the Passover lamb roasted in fire is repeated twice a day in the daily burnt offerings commanded in the Torah. (Exodus 29:38-39). The blood of the Passover lamb anticipates the blood of the daily offerings. G-d says of this, “For it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” (Leviticus 17:11)

The Anticipated Redeemer

Why does G-d make the Passover lamb so central in Israel’s redemption from Egypt? Because it anticipates something even greater to come. Scripture tells us the Messiah, the ultimate redeemer, is led as the lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). He gives his soul as guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10). He suffers and dies for our rebellious deeds.(Isaiah 53:4-6) The death of this righteous one truly atones(Isaiah 53:11-12).

When the Israelites applied the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts and partook in the Passover sacrifice by eating it, they were ready to go out of Egypt. When we in faith shelter behind the lifeblood of the Messiah poured out for us, we are saved. We are saved from G-d’s judgment when we partake of the Messiah by personally trusting in him – similar to the wording in the Passover Haggadah which encourages us to consider as if we personally had been delivered from Egyptian bondage.

Those who place their faith in Messiah are assured we will be among the “Redeemed of the L-RD” who “shall return and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10, 52:11). Talk about “next year in Jerusalem . . . !”[3]

Ultimate safety

We recognize all kinds of negative things can still happen to us as believers. G-d’s children can still go through the fire and the water. (Isaiah 43:2) We can even succumb to death because of Covid-19. But in all this we know He is with us and we are more than conquerors. Nothing can separate us from the love of G-d which is in Messiah. (Romans 8:31-39) Everlasting joy is assured.

To sum up, Passover teaches us a very serious and fundamental lesson. Whether we are “Israelites” or “Egyptians,” there is a marked contrast between G-d’s absolute goodness and holiness and our sinfulness and rebelliousness. Isaiah tells us our sins have separated us from our G-d (Isaiah 59:2). The L-rd has to be against us as a terrifying destroyer.

But, through the atonement which He provides for His people, an amazing change takes place. Now He can “pass over” us when He judges. More than that, He can be for us as a merciful and loving Redeemer.

Are You Taking Shelter?

G-d wants us to shelter, through faith and repentance, behind the atoning blood of the Messiah. Are you doing that? Will you be preserved from the ultimate deadly plague of G-d’s holy judgment? Are you already safe in G-d’s eternal love – in life and death? Are you ready for the ultimate Promised Land which He has promised to those who love Him?

Trust in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. He is the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1;29) He is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) who will be remembered and praised for all eternity. Join the eternal Passover feast by placing your trust in His sacrifice for you.