A Bloody Difference Series

One aspect of sermon writing I enjoy is researching topics I normally wouldn’t research—like learning how much bunker and bomb shelters cost. An 8x12 “mini” bunker costs $45,000—not including delivery or installation charges. Nor does that include a bullet resistant door. For that you’ll have to hand over another $20,000. If you decide to spend this kind of money on a bunker, the particular company I researched assures: “Every bunker/bomb shelter we build is customized to meet or exceed your needs and expectations.” Well, I certainly hope it would “meet the needs” of keeping you safe! Otherwise, what’s the point?

In our Moses sermon series today, we’ll hear God tell the Israelites how they could turn their house, even if it was a just a lean-to or a shack, into a bunker that would shelter them from the “Destroyer.” The Israelites wouldn’t find protection behind reinforced concrete walls and bullet proof doors. Rather, the seemingly insignificant blood of a lamb connected to God’s promise would make a life and death difference during the Tenth Plague. This “bloody difference” testifies how the Israelites were indeed made for more than just being slaves in Egypt. They were God’s treasured family. Let’s find out how the events of that first Passover assure us that we too, as people who stand under the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, have been made for more. (Read text.)

From the time the First Plague hit Pharaoh and Egypt until the Tenth and final Plague, nine months seemed to have elapsed—the same time it normally takes for a baby to fully form in the womb. Although the Israelites had been around for over 400 years, God would only first introduce them to the world as his beloved “firstborn” at the end of the ninth-month plague period. And just as giving birth to a child is a bloody process, so God’s firstborn, Israel, would not step into the world without the shedding of blood. None of this was a surprise to Pharaoh. Early on, God had warned the arrogant king through Moses: “Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, ‘Let my son go, so he may worship me.’ But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.” (Exodus 4:22b-23)

Yikes. Does God sound vindictive—like a child who doesn’t get his way and so he proceeds to stomp on every other child’s Lego creations? That’s what many first-time readers of the Old Testament conclude. They see the God described in the Old Testament as “grumpy.” It’s true, God did not mince his words, but he did pull his punches against Pharoah. Let’s not forget how patient God had been with him. He had sent Moses and Aaron repeatedly to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh remained unmoved. He continued to dismiss Moses and Aaron as if they were annoying salesmen trying to sell him sand, something Egypt already had plenty of! Whenever the request was rejected, a plague followed like the plagues of frogs and flies. And it wasn’t just Pharoah who suffered during these plagues, all of Egypt did.

Friends, have you considered how the choices you make against God’s will don’t just affect you but also others around you? Older siblings, do you know how much your younger siblings are watching you? They tend to mimic your attitude towards parents and teachers. What you think is cool, they often think is cool. Are you living in such a way that you are encouraging your siblings in their walk with Jesus? Are you helping them remain pure in an impure world? If not, repent and lay those sins at Jesus’ feet. With the Holy Spirit’s help, be renewed in your desire to set good examples for those around you so they are not led astray and end up suffering God’s anger as Pharoah and every Egyptian household did.

While the Egyptians suffered with Pharaoh through every plague, that wasn’t always the case for the Israelites who also lived in Egypt. For example, while darkness fell on Egypt during the Ninth Plague, there was bright sunshine where the Israelites lived. God would make another dramatic distinction during the Tenth Plague. This distinction wouldn’t come automatically however as it had before. Just because you were an Israelite didn’t mean that you would be safe during the Tenth Plague. God’s plan for staying safe went like this. On the tenth day of that month, which was now to become the first month of the Jewish calendar signaling new beginnings, the Israelites were to select a one-year-old male lamb that had no defect. It couldn’t be blind or cripple or missing a tooth. They were to care for this spotless lamb for four days before slaughtering it. Then, without breaking any of its bones, they were to roast the animal and eat the meat in their homes with their family. Along with the lamb they were to eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread. And this meal was not to be like a pot roast that you might savor on an unhurried Sunday afternoon. The Israelites were to eat in haste, like the school teacher who gulps down a sandwich in between classes. Why in haste? Because finally, after 430 years, the Israelites would be leaving Egypt and God wanted them to be ready. When salvation came it would come quickly.