When God sent Moses to Pharaoh in Egypt with a statement in Exodus 5: 1 “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness, it was not a one sided affair. The Israelites also had a very crucial role to play towards its success. They were to use the blood of an unblemished lamb to identify their dwellings which were to be made visible externally.
Identifying with God is not a secret affair but must show in our lives for all to see though not a façade. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven. Matthew 7: 16, 20 say you shall know them by their fruits. What was the significance of the blood of the lamb?
The significance of the blood
Israel had in their history two opportunities to use the blood of the lamb to save themselves. The first was in Egypt when God said let my people go. The second instance was when Jesus died on the cross. We will draw a relationship between the two instances for the common purpose of God.
One, regarding the first sacrifice in Egypt, Israel was to save the Israelites physically by the blood of an unblemished lamb in Egypt. However, under the second sacrifice of the crucifixion of Christ Jesus, it was to save Israel spiritually by the blood of Christ Jesus as the lamb of the world (John 1: 29). Two, whilst the first blood was primarily for Israel’s physical and temporary reliefs in Egypt, the second involving the blood of Jesus gave primarily spiritual and eternal reliefs to Israel.
Three, in both instances of blood sacrifices in Egypt and in Jerusalem, God’s saving acts nevertheless involved both physical and spiritual dimensions. Their liberty from slavery also gave them the liberty to worship God. In Jesus’ sacrifice, they had spiritual liberty from spiritual bondage of their souls which enabled them to receive healing from afflictions and diseases also.
Four, in both instances of blood sacrifices, God gave Israel the opportunity to be saved. Paul said in Romans 6:1 that shall we continue to sin whilst grace abounds? God’s grace will end one day. In both instances, none Jews who identified with Israel and the blood were also saved because they took advantage of the blood and God’s grace. All who took advantage of the blood also prospered extending unto their descendants to date.
Five, in both instances, God was responsible for the saving interventions not predicated by Israel’s righteous conduct but by God’s grace. Both instances remain miraculous which is consistent with God’s saving grace. Ephesians 2: 8 says for by grace have you been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast.
God wants to save us from physical and spiritual deaths if we obey his word. It is only the blood of Jesus which God has ordained for our salvation as we prepare for eternity from this world just as the Israelites did from Egypt. Romans 10: 9 says if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. It is not too late for us to appropriate the blood of Jesus Christ else we will face the second death which is coming soon.
When does God hear our cry?
God’s intervention is based on circumstances. Isaiah 59: 2 says behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear. Sin and iniquity are barriers to God’s intervention. Psalms 66: 18 says if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. We must embrace godliness.
What are the benefits of God’s saving grace?
In the case of Israel’s experience in Egypt, God added promises to their rescue from Egypt. God said to Moses, (1) he will deliver Israel out of Egyptian hands; (2) he will relocate them to a good and broad land of milk and honey; and (3) he will let them take possession of lands of the heathen. God does not leave us after saving us but restores them with his goodness.
God’s first promise was to physically deliver his people from evil hands. No matter the hands from which we are oppressed, God is able to deliver us. Exodus 14: 14 says the LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still. God’s second promise was for economic prosperity and wellbeing. God cares about our wellbeing and always gives us the opportunity to prosper.
Psalms 10: 5 says his (God) ways prosper at all times. Israel prospers up till today because they accepted God’s promises. Deuteronomy 30: 9 says the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground; for the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers.
God’s third promise was for possession of lands of the heathen. In Leviticus 20: 23-24, 26 God’s purpose for possession is to separate his people from repeating the sins of other nations; to be holy to him, and to be his. 1Chronicles 28: 8 says observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. We will lose possession when we do otherwise. We need obedience in order to keep our possession.
How can we let God’s people go?
We must show love rather than cruelty. Deuteronomy 15: 7 says… you shall not shut your hand against your poor brother but you shall open your hand to him, and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Jesus said in Luke 3: 11 he who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. 1 John 4: 20 says if any one says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Prayer
Our Father in Heaven, we thank you that the blood of Christ Jesus surpasses all since creation. It is by his blood that you have saved us by your grace through faith. We pray that you may continue to hear our cry as we wait on you. Help us to appropriate your grace as have taught us so we may always be in good standing before you. Give us your divine release for our souls and for the joy of your salvation in Christ Jesus in whose name we have prayed, Amen!!
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