The significance of Jehovah’s pledge to Israel — “I will pass over you” — is frequently misunderstood. By many it is taken to mean mere exemption from destruction; whereas, in reality, a great deal more than this is involved in the words. We will quote Exodus 12:2323For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. (Exodus 12:23) at length in order that we may have the whole pledge before us, “Jehovah will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and upon the two side-posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come unto your houses to smite you.”
Jehovah “passing through” is thus one thing; but Jehovah “passing over” is quite another. Our inquiry just now is to the latter. What does it mean? Isaiah 31:5 (RV) will help us here. “As the birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts, protect Jerusalem; He will protect and deliver it, He will pass, over and preserve it.” The language of Isaiah 31 is thus very similar to that of Exodus 12, and its meaning is transparent. It gives the idea of a mother-bird hovering over her nest, anxiously watching it, and mounting guard over her young. This is what Jehovah promised to do in Egypt for all who, in obedience to His word, sprinkled the blood upon their houses. He would Himself be the protector of such people. He would Himself stand between them and all harm. I “will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you” (Ex. 12:2323For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. (Exodus 12:23)).
This presents to us a truly delightful view of the God with whom we have to do. He positively ranges Himself upon the side of those who, in faith, have sought the shelter of the blood of Jesus. The fact that He has raised His Son from amongst the dead is the public proof that every requirement of His throne has been fully met. In perfect consistency therefore with His own character of righteousness, He against whom all our sins have been committed is now able to constitute Himself the guardian of His believing people. Faithful to His word and to the precious blood of Jesus, He will never, while eternal ages roll, permit judgment to touch His own. This being most certainly true, let us get rid of all servile fear. There is no room for dread in our relationships with such a God.
The men of Israel might well sit down in quiet confidence that night. Even if others’ wail of distress reached their ears, they had no occasion for alarm. They had put the blood of the Iamb between themselves and the destroyer, and they had Jehovah Himself standing sentinel, as it were, outside their sprinkled doors. Had anxious thoughts been entertained by them, they would have cast dishonor upon God—His faithfulness and truth. In like manner the unbelieving apprehensions of many in our day who truly love the Savior’s name are a deep affront to the God of our salvation. As Toplady’s lines put it:
From whence this fear and unbelief,
If God, my Father, put to grief
His spotless Son for me?
Can He, the righteous Judge of men,
Condemn me for that debt of sin,
Which, Lord, was charged on Thee?
Impossible!