Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 4 (Blood on Doorposts)

 

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 4 (Blood on Doorposts)

Exodus 12:²¹ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. ²² And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. ²³ For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. ²⁴ And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. ²⁵ It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lord will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. ²⁶ And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ ²⁷ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ ” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. ²⁸ Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

 

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GOD provided very specific instructions to Moses about what was about to happen. Moses collected the elders of Israel and told them what to do. They had to place the blood of an unblemished lamb specifically on the top and two sides of the door posts. They obeyed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was announcing the need for JESUS to die on the cross.
• GOD made a distinction between the Egyptians and the children of Israel during the plagues, but this time HE needed an outward showing of blood in three spots.
• JESUS would proceed through the streets and look at the mark of belief and HE would not allow the angel of death to enter that household.

 

Anyone who believed would place the blood on the door and the LORD would declare that household saved from the plague of death. “Belief” is the everlasting ordinance. Our belief in JESUS as LORD and Savior gives us a Passover from eternal death.

 

The markings include the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT and the arrangement on the doorposts represent the outstretched hands of JESUS on the cross. This symbolic gesture would save an entire family from tremendous grief.

 

Moses could not tell everyone himself. He had to enlist people to spread the word. GOD does the same with you and me. HE wants you too tell people that JESUS not only saves, but guides people who believe in wisdom and knowledge and understanding.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the placement of the blood on the doorposts?
• Is there a symbolic gesture you can do that publicly declares you belong to GOD?
• What public declaration can you make to show the world you believe you need JESUS daily?

Redemption Foretold

Redemption Foretold

Genesis 3: ¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
¹⁵ And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

 

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Desperate act of Satan to make humans imperfect seemed to work, but it didn’t! Satan really, really wanted to be GOD. I believe that his plan was to ruin Adam, Eve and any children they had. All humans would come from this couple. Satan could not create a human, so he figured he would steal them from GOD. Big mistake!

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Satan that HE was going to curse everything, but he was “more cursed” than any living being.
• GOD told Satan that his plan did not work, but it did hurt, so HIS heal would be bruised.
• GOD told Satan that HE was going to kick him in the head and there was nothing Satan could do about it!

 

This may sound like a slap on the wrist, but it was not. The “seed” of Adam had been ruined. Any child that was born, would now have the nature of Satan, otherwise known as a sin nature. It would be natural to not want what GOD wants. BUT JESUS told Satan, this plan did not work!

 

HE foretold a miraculous birth that would deal a crushing blow to Satan. “I will die for the humans”, I believe is the bruise on the heel of CHRIST. But you, Satan, will be kicked in the head, I believe was JESUS saying “I’m going to open the scrolls and you ARE going to hell, just as it was written.” “Your plan did not work, AND, you will pay for this.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the curse of the serpent first?
• Have you ever wondered what makes you do things that are not pleasing to GOD and you know they are not pleasing?
• Are you willing to give the part of you that rebels against GOD to HIM, so HE can guide you to HIS path today?

Proof of Love

Proof of Love

1 Corinthians 15: ³ I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; ⁴ that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; ⁵ that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles.

 

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Love at eight years old was easy. Take a piece of paper and write a note with one question, “Do you like me?” and provide two answers, “Yes or No”,  if you were super cool or three “Yes, No or Maybe” for the rest of us. The answer would provide solid proof of a match or not. Was more proof needed?

 

• Love is difficult to prove.
• Love can be misunderstood.
• Love seems like it should be easy, but can get very complicated.

 

Paul makes the gospel as clear and simple as possible. He explains that JESUS died for our sins, was buried for three days and was raised from the dead. Why did JESUS do this for us? Because HE loved us. Does HIS love require more proof? No, but HE provides it anyway.

 

My Observations

• JESUS loved me so much that HE sent a COMFORTER to keep me from harm.
• JESUS cared for me so much that HE was willing to take my punishment away from me and experience death HIMSELF.
• JESUS proved HE was serious about wanting an everlasting relationship with me by becoming a human to be killed by HIS own creation.

 

Somehow GOD wanted to prove that JESUS was the one and only Messiah. I mean, HE appeared to so many people, HIS resurrection could not be refuted. The news of HIS resurrection solidified that JESUS fulfilled every prophecy, enabling HIM to be the One who could forgive any sin I committed.

 

This news is Good News! This could not be made up. JESUS does not have to die on a cross over and over to prove HIS love for me. I simply have to believe and my sins are forgiven. I am grateful for HIS love and for the HOLY SPIRIT, who guides me daily.

 

Challenge

• Does this passage provide proof of JESUS’ love?
• What do you notice about the urgency written here?
• Could GOD have just saved people without telling them they were saved?
• Why do you think GOD wants humans to know about the event of JESUS’ resurrection and for them to tell others?

Clearing Up Confusion

Clearing Up Confusion

John 16: ¹⁶ “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

¹⁷ Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”

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“What do YOU want from me?” I cried out. I wasn’t really asking the question, rather I was venting frustration over the situation. I was sick and tired about being sick and tired! Enough was enough. I felt. Yet I was a bit confused. “Why do I have to go through problems anyway?”

• There have been times when I have been confused about GOD.
• There have been times when HIS words do not seem clear.
• There have been times when GOD has taken me through a situation and I wondered if HE cared.

JESUS tried to explain the impossible. HE told HIS disciples that HE would die and rise again in a confusing way. This time HE said this statement in a parable rather than straight out. Even if HE said this directly, the statement would have been impossible to comprehend.

• GOD clears up my confusion by making HIS message simple.
• GOD clears up my confusion by telling me HE loves me and cares for me.
• GOD clears up my confusion by enabling me to tell others HE loves them and cares for them.

There are many messages humans say about GOD that cause confusion. BUT GOD makes HIS message clear. HE says “I love you so much that when MY SON volunteered to take your punishment, I agreed and allowed HIM to be blamed. I also raised HIM from the dead and gave HIM all power.”

JESUS wants my message to be simple. “Believe in JESUS and you will have everlasting life.” Unfortunately, this simple message gets clouded with, “must do’s” that wear people out. “You must attend church weekly, and you must serve, and you must give this amount and you must pray and wear yourself out. GOD wants my service to be “easy” and my burden to be “light.” I am glad HE carried “all” the load.

• Are you confused about GOD?
• Do you think you have to work harder to please HIM?
• Will you stop trying to make GOD do things and watch HIS mighty power work in your life?

Employed or Called

Luke 20: ⁹ He went on to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. ¹⁰ At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. ¹² He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

¹³ ‘Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.”

¹⁴ ‘But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. “This is the heir,” they said. “Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” ¹⁵ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

‘What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’

When the people heard this, they said, ‘God forbid!’

¹⁷ Jesus looked directly at them and asked, ‘Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

‘“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone”?

¹⁸ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.’

¹⁹ The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

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JESUS spoke directly to the church leaders who were looking to kill HIM. They were appointed over people to preach only about HIM, but their words turned into those of greed and lust for political power. JESUS implied that Abraham, Moses and Elijah were not listened to, so GOD sent HIM but this act of kindness would be met with murder.

• GOD says to me “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME.”
• GOD says to me “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Whether I like it or not, I am involved in a spiritual war once I sided with JESUS. I mean each and every day I have to get up and ask GOD to protect me and those HE has given to me. HE also wants me to remain “called” versus “employed” by HIM.

• Serving GOD is a privilege, not a job. HE wants me to serve others just as HE serves me GOD is my refuge. I am glad to serve.
• Are you exhausted by serving GOD?
• Do you feel HE owes you something because of your service?
• Will you stop for a minute, regroup and look at your service to HIM with excitement today?

Just Make it Plain

Luke 18: ³¹ Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. ³² He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; ³³ they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’

³⁴ The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

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Confused, I went to see a tutor for the Differential Equations class.  I sat there willing to understand, but when the person spoke it was still beyond my grasp at the time.

• There have been many things spoken to me plainly that I did not understand.
• There have been many things said to me that went over my head.
• There have been many lessons taught to me that I could not grasp until I experienced it.

JESUS tried to speak as plainly as HE could when HE spoke to HIS disciples. HE told them HE would be blamed, murdered and would rise from the dead. No one had ever made claims like these, especially rising from the dead. They had seen JESUS in action and HE seemed invincible. How was all this to take place?

• GOD says to me “MY ways are not your ways, MY thought are not your thoughts.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who has great plans for you.”
• GOD says to me “Life will have trouble for you, but no one can pluck you out of MY hand.”

It all makes sense now that JESUS has risen, just as HE said. But now the baffling statement of HIS return still lingers. I, like HIS disciples, just don’t understand exactly what is going to happen. Even though JESUS clearly states “I will return and rule with an iron fist and then destroy this cursed earth to provide a new heaven for MY believers to live eternally” I still don’t know what will happen.

All I can do is believe that someday, I will be with my GOD and HE will wipe away all my tears. HE will judge me for my sins and point to JESUS and ask me “Did you believe that HE took your blame?” and my answer will be “YES, Thank YOU LORD!” HE is my forgiver.

• Are you confused about GOD?
• Do you wrestle with HIS ways?
• Will you continue to seek HIM, asking HIM to provide you with clarity to HIS wonderful plan for you?
• Will you diminish your skepticism and start living your purpose today?

Hearing Aid

Luke 9: ⁴³ And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.

But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

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“Blah, blah, blah, “Savings”, blah, blah, blah, “Don’t get in debt”, blah, blah, blah something about credit cards were the words I did not really listen to. I went out and bought a bunch of clothes anyway. I mean I had to look good, right?

• There were times when I did not listen.
• There were times when the warnings were in front of me but I could not hear.
• There were times when I was told exactly what to expect but could not listen.

For a second time, JESUS makes it very plain that HE would be betrayed and murdered. HE said this right after healing a boy and raising a girl from the dead. “How could anyone touch a person who did such miracles?”, were probably the words rolling through their minds. HIS words did not sink in.

• JESUS wants me to hear these words “I love you and I AM protecting you.”
• JESUS wants me to hear “I have a plan for you that you may not understand, but it is great, if you follow MY commands.”
• JESUS wants me to know “I love those who love ME by loving others.”

Sometimes the simplest messages are the hardest to hear. JESUS simply wants me to tell people “HE loves them” but this simple message is block by sin, worry and confusion. Sometimes when I cannot hear these words, it’s because I have either done something wrong or I’m too worried to listen.

GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of the storm. HE guides me to faith when the impossible seems to be in front of me. HE leads me besides still waters and restores my soul.

• Are you too worried about life that you cannot hear the words of GOD?
• Do you think your situation is too great this time?
• Are you absolutely too tired because things do not seem to be going your way?
• Will you listen to GOD today and know HE loves you with all HIS heart?

Direct Statement

Mark 9: ³⁰ Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. ³¹ For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” ³² But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

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“You are being moved to a division and will be in charge of your own department” was the statement. “Why, what did I do?” was my reply in horror.

• Sometimes good news has to be spelled out to me.
• Sometimes good news sounds like bad news to me.
• Sometimes good news is hidden from my worried ears.

I can only guess what the disciples were thinking when JESUS told them HE would be murdered and will rise from the dead. What an absurd statement! No one had ever made that claim and fulfilled it. BUT GOD knew what HE was talking about.

• JESUS says to me “I love you dearly”.
• JESUS says to me “I have placed MY SPIRIT inside of you to comfort you.”
• JESUS says to me “I will be with you always.”

Clear and direct statements have been said to me, yet I fear, worry and doubt. HE makes it very easy and clear that HE cannot love me more than HE already does. HE has wiped away all of my sins. I do not have to wonder about HIS love for me. In fact I can embrace HIS love daily.

• Are you worried that GOD has left you?
• Do you think the sin you did is holding you back?
• Can you look at GOD differently as the ONE who forgives, cleans and loves?

Making it Clear

Matthew 20: ¹⁷ Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, ¹⁸ “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death ¹⁹ and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

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How much more clear could JESUS have made it. I mean HE specifically said church people would kill him. Regular attendees of church would hate HIM so much that they would desire to get rid of the nuisance!

• GOD wants me to see HIM as the solution not the problem.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS love not human hate.
• GOD wants me to speak life not death.

JESUS is the primary conversation I should have on my lips daily. HE said HE would be raised from the dead and was. Only GOD could say this and do it. HE was very clear about saying who HE “is” and what HE did. JESUS is my savior.

• Are you looking for something and are lost?
• Do you find yourself empty?
• Can you look to JESUS as the one who can fill your life with glorious excitement?