February 2 – Reading 33

february 2 – Reading 33

by Rev James M. Armpriester, Jr | February 2

“REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE FIRSTBORN”
(Exodus 12:1 – 15:21)

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”  – Exodus 12:12-13

Imagine being enslaved your entire life, knowing nothing but chains, labor, and hopelessness. Then, one night, everything changes. You are told that a final plague will strike your oppressors—a plague so devastating that it will compel Pharaoh to set you free. But this freedom comes at a cost: the life of every firstborn in Egypt.

Exodus 12 tells the dramatic story of God’s judgment on Egypt and His redemption of Israel. The firstborn sons of Egypt were struck down, but the Israelites were spared because of the blood of a spotless lamb spread on their doorframes. The sacrifice of the lamb marked the people as those under God’s protection and secured their release from slavery.

The death of the firstborn in Egypt was not merely a display of God’s power—it pointed to a more profound spiritual truth. Just as the firstborn sons of Egypt paid the price for Israel’s freedom, God would one day give His own firstborn Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the slavery of sin (John 3:16). Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed so that death would pass over us, and we could walk in freedom. Through His blood, we are redeemed, not from physical slavery, but from eternal separation from God.

In Exodus, God’s deliverance of Israel foreshadowed the greater deliverance to come through Jesus. The judgment on Egypt demonstrated God’s justice, while the Passover lamb revealed His mercy—a theme ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s work on the cross.

Simple Truth:  Freedom always comes with a price. God paid the highest price to redeem us—His firstborn Son—so we might live in freedom and abundance.

Reflection Questions

1. How does knowing that Jesus was sacrificed as God’s firstborn change the way you view your salvation?
2. Are there areas in your life where you are still living as though you are enslaved, even though Christ has set you free?

Application

1. Thank God today for the sacrifice He made through Jesus to redeem you.
2. Walk in freedom by identifying one area where you must surrender to God’s power.
3. Share the good news of Jesus’ redeeming work with someone who needs to hear about His love.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your great love and mercy. You gave what was most precious to You—Your firstborn Son—to free us from sin and death. Help us live in the freedom You’ve given us, and never forget the price paid for our redemption. Strengthen our faith when opposition arises, and guide us to walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.