Why is it crucial to "stay inside" as instructed in Exodus 12:22? Setting the Scene “Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood from the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.” (Exodus 12:22) God’s Clear Instruction • “None of you shall go out.” This is not a suggestion. • The command applies to every household; no one is exempt. • Timing matters: remain inside “until morning,” the full span of judgment. Divine Protection Under the Blood • Verse 23 explains why: “The LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians.” Only homes marked by blood are spared. • Stepping outside removes a person from that covering. • Exodus 12:13: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Protection is where the blood is, not where someone might prefer to stand. Obedience Demonstrates Faith • Hebrews 11:28 notes that Moses “kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer would not touch their firstborn.” • Faith isn’t abstract; it is proven by obeying precise instructions, even when they limit personal freedom for a night. Boundaries Established by God • God often sets physical limits for spiritual safety—Noah’s ark (Genesis 7:1), the cities of refuge (Numbers 35:25-28). • Crossing the line disregards God-given boundaries and invites consequences. Foreshadowing Our Position in Christ • The blood of the Passover lamb points to “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). • Just as the Israelites stayed inside, believers are called to “abide in Me” (John 15:4). • 1 John 2:28: “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence.” Practical Takeaways for Today • Stay where God’s covering is—in Christ, in His Word, in fellowship. • Don’t gamble with partial obedience; the line God draws is for our good. • Trust that God’s timing is perfect; His deliverance comes “in the morning.” Summary Remaining inside was life-and-death obedience. Under the blood, God’s judgment passed over; outside, it struck. The same principle stands: safety, salvation, and blessing are found only within the boundaries God establishes through the blood of the Lamb. |
    |