But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

Once again we see that God’s people are a distinct people. He treats them differently. But on this occasion the people were themselves to be involved in marking themselves out as different, by applying the blood of the Passover lambs to their homes (12:7,13).

‘Previously they had been segregated by the Lord without any cooperative or obedient act of their own, but now, by command of the Lord, Israel must take a stand, self-declared as the people under the blood of the lamb.’ Alec Motyer: ‘The message of Exodus’, p.127.

As we approach Christmas we remember that Jesus was born to die. He came as the ultimate fulfilment of all that the Passover means:

“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

It is being ‘under the blood’ of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world that makes all the difference. We are free from God’s wrath, not because of anything intrinsically good in ourselves, but because of the blood of Jesus applied to our hearts by faith. His blood cleanses from all sin.

‘Faith is not merely a thought of which I lay hold, a conviction that possesses me—it is a life. Faith brings the soul into direct contact with God, and the unseen things of heaven, but above all, with the blood of Jesus. It Is Not Possible to Believe in Victory over Satan by the Blood without Being Myself Brought Entirely under its Power. Belief in the power of the blood awakens in me a desire for an experience of its power in myself; each experience of its power makes belief in victory more glorious.’ Andrew Murray, The Power of the Blood of Jesus.

PRAYER: ‘Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me…’