This mode of applying blood as a witness of death was
1. For protection. When all the firstborn in Egypt were to be smitten, the Israelites were told to “strike,” that is “sprinkle,” the side posts and lintels of their doors with the blood of a lamb, and Jehovah said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” Death had already nullified the power of death (Ex. 12:7, 13).
2. For purification. Aaron and his sons were sprinkled with blood. Moses “sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry, and almost all things are by the law purged with blood.” Death separated the priestly family from their own associations (Ex. 29:21; Heb. 9:21-22).
3. For presentation. In the burnt offering, the blood was sprinkled round about upon the altar; in the sin offering the blood was sprinkled seven times before the Lord before the vail of the sanctuary; and on the day of atonement the blood was sprinkled upon the mercy-seat eastward, and before the mercy-seat seven times (Lev. 1:5; Lev. 4:6; Lev. 16:14). Death became the means of God accomplishing His purposes of grace. The believer is redeemed, purified, and sanctified by the precious blood of Christ, and is ever before God “perfected” according to the preciousness of that blood (Heb. 9:14; Heb. 10:10, 14; 1 Pet. 1:19).
4. For confirmation. The covenant was sealed, and the people bound to it, by blood. Moses “sprinkled both the book and all the people” (Heb. 9:19).