Full instructions had been given about how they were to keep the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread. However, it was not enough to know all about these things; the children of Israel must act. Moses said, “Draw out and take you a lamb” (ch. 12:21). Perhaps the reader of these lines may know all about Christ, but have you received Him for your own personal need? If not, we plead with you to do so now, before the night of judgment comes upon this Egypt-world.
Hyssop
A bunch of hyssop was to be used to sprinkle the blood on the lintel and side posts of their homes. Hyssop was a common weed, and it reminds us of how useless we are in ourselves — only fit for the fire of judgment. Some people do not like to admit this. I was speaking to a lady today who said she did not think she deserved to go to hell. She was satisfied with her own good works and did not feel her need of Christ as her Saviour. She refused to take her place as a sinner — just a useless “bunch of hyssop” (ch. 12:22) fit for the fire — and therefore she refused the shed blood of Christ to shelter her from judgment. God did not say, “When I see how good you are,” for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psa. 14:33They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3)). But God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (ch. 12:13). You and I are just as useless as a bunch of hyssop in ourselves, but through Christ’s finished work we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)).
Instructions and Warning
Perhaps their children would ask why they kept the Passover, and they were to be ready to explain. God told them exactly what to say. Our children often ask questions, too! Are we ready to answer them from God’s Word? May we always do so for the Lord’s honor and glory.
I suppose while these instructions and warnings were being given to the children of Israel, the Egyptians were having a good time. Their good time did not last very long, for the promised judgment came, and then what an awakening there was. There was one dead in every home where the blood had not been sprinkled. People do not like to have their rest disturbed now, but the Egyptians were surely disturbed that night when it was too late. What an awakening there will be for this poor world when the Lord comes and takes His own to heaven. Their rest will surely be disturbed then, as they cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” (2 Sam. 11:1111And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. (2 Samuel 11:11)) only to find that it is forever too late.
Exiting Egypt
Pharaoh called for Moses and told him they could go, and take their children, their flocks, and everything they had. The Egyptians seemed to be glad to be rid of them. They gave them all they needed for their journey, too. The children of Israel went gladly, for they were ready. The world today is becoming tired of the true Christian and his testimony for Christ, and they would like to get us out of the way. Not long ago a very well-educated man said, “We could do without any of those Christians!” Well, he is going to have his wish, perhaps sooner than he expects, but it will be a sorry day for him when they are all gone and he finds the door of grace shut forever. “And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut” (Matt. 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)).
Further Meditation
1. What did God tell the parents to say to their children?
2. Why did the world at the time of Christ reject Him and want Him out of the way?
3. A good word to parents on one of the themes of this chapter can be found in Beware of Leaving Your Little Ones in Egypt by C. H. Mackintosh.