Action taken. Exodus 12:21-30 The first nine plagues in Egypt were miraculous signs given to the Jews to demonstrate that God alone is the Lord. “I AM THE LORD” leaves no room for false gods. It was also meant to awaken Pharaoh and all of Egypt to the truth that there is One God who rules over everything. All of Egypt was guilty because of men's rule. Not only is the nation governed by kings, but kings rule with the consent of the people. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was a miracle of judgment. A miracle condenses the usual processes of nature into a moment. Similarly, judgments condense the consequences of wrongdoing into a short time.
"Be sure your sin will find you out" is a principle we cannot ignore. The judgment of Egypt condensed into one night the severe consequences of sin. When the Lord Jesus Christ was on the Cross at Calvary, the judgment for sin was placed on Him. "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." The condensed judgment of a world of lost sinners was transferred to the perfect innocent Lamb of God, who provided our redemption through His death and shedding of His blood. God concealed the suffering Savior in darkness so we would not see the full horror of sin. The death of the firstborn judged Egypt, while the death of the paschal lamb judged Israel. The world was judged at the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross when "Christ died for the ungodly." "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
When the Passover lamb was slain in the evening, the blood was collected in a basin and applied to both sides and the top lintel of the door with hyssop, as God instructed. In faith, the families of obedient Israelites stood with their shoes on and ate the roast lamb and unleavened bread, ready to leave Egypt, just as God said. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you," was the promise from God they trusted. The actions they took showed their faith in God. Quiet families eating on a night filled with oppressive silence would have heightened the sense of foreboding as the Egyptians wondered what would happen next. Some of them may have copied the Israelites and decided to join them in the exodus from the land.
Silently, midnight arrived, and silently, the firstborn of both humans and animals all over Egypt died that night of death. Pharaoh, his officials, and even the animals they worshiped as gods - it didn't matter; the firstborn still died. There was no way to stop the judgment God had warned them about repeatedly. Then came the wailing everywhere in the nation! There was no way to comfort those who had lost their firstborn. God's promises, whether good or bad, always come true, regardless of what people believe. Mere mortal men cannot prevent God's divine decrees. "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission."
Safely behind closed doors, with evidence of obedience and faith in God, the people of God ate roast lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread. The lamb had been slain, the blood had been shed, and it had been applied outside to the doorframe, while inside, they all waited for the call to leave. Deliverance was promised, and they believed it would come. "Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast." At the Lord's Supper, we remember the perfection of the sacrifice and our Lord Jesus Christ when we remember Him. We also publicly proclaim His death so that those observing and participating in the feast of remembrance realize that Christ's death has taken place. Judgment has fallen on Christ on our behalf.
With the blessing of redemption and the joy it brings, we acknowledge that the Righteous God is satisfied with what Christ has accomplished. Like the Israelites who were "bought back" from captivity through the sacrifice of the lamb, our redemption has been secured by Christ's sacrifice. His perfect life was exchanged for our sinful lives as He took the penalty for our sins and restored us to God. We trust Him and accept His gift of eternal life, which Christ purchased with His own life. Consequently, we begin a new relationship with God as His redeemed people. This relationship separates us from the world and dedicates us to God. The world is crucified to us, and we are crucified to the world. "Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." Now, the life we live is for the "Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."