What Was the Purpose of Putting Blood on the Doorposts During Passover?

Direct Answer

Yes, the blood was a token for God to see and pass over the Israelites' houses, sparing them from the death of their firstborn.

God explicitly said the blood would be a token, and when He saw it, He would pass over them (Exodus 12:13). The blood was applied to the lintel and two side posts, forming an outline of the cross, though the Israelites may not have understood that at the time.

Key Scriptures

Exodus 12:13 — This verse directly states that the blood on the doorposts would be a token, and when God saw it, He would pass over the houses.

What Does the Bible Say?

In Exodus 12, God instructs Moses and Aaron about the Passover. On that night, God would pass through Egypt and smite all the firstborn, both man and beast, and execute judgment against the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). The blood of the Passover lamb was to be applied to the lintel and the two side posts of each Israelite house (Exodus 12:22). God said, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13). Thus, the blood identified the houses where God's judgment would not enter.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Blood on the Doorposts?

Les Feldick emphasizes that the blood on the doorposts was a picture of the cross and a demonstration of faith. He points out that the instructions were precise: apply blood to the lintel and two side posts with hyssop. Les notes that the Israelites were secure because the blood was on the door, and God said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." He also teaches that this Old Testament event is for our learning, showing how God provides a way of escape through faith.

How Was the Blood Applied?

Les Feldick explains that God gave explicit instructions: take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts. Hyssop was a common weed in Goshen, likened to ragweed. This precise method was not to be altered.

Did the Blood Form a Cross?

Les Feldick is convinced that God had the final picture of the cross in mind when He instructed the blood to be placed on the two side posts and the lintel. He says that no Jew in Egypt understood this at the time, but it was an outline of the cross.

Why Did the Israelites Feel Secure?

Les Feldick explains that the Israelites were not afraid of the death angel because the blood was on the door. Their faith in God's promise, not their own goodness, made them secure. The blood covered them, and they could hear the mourning in Egypt but were safe behind the blood-marked door.

From the Teaching

What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained

our learning. All those things written back there, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, even though it was written to the Jew under the Law, yet it was for our learning. And how many people today just shut their eyes to the Old Testament? We've got nothing to do with that. The Old Testament is just a bedrock for the New, and you can't understand the New unless you understand the Old.

Explicit Instructions for Applying the Blood

Les Feldick highlights that God gave specific instructions to apply the blood with hyssop to the lintel and side posts, showing the importance of obedience.

The Blood Outlined the Cross

Les teaches that the placement of blood on the two side posts and lintel formed an outline of the cross, though the Israelites did not see it then.

Israel's Security Under the Blood

Les explains that Israel had no fear of the death angel because the blood on the door was their assurance of safety.

When I See the Blood

Les emphasizes that God only required the blood, not behavior, and that every Jew behind the door was totally safe.

The Token of the Blood

Les points out that the blood was a token, and God said, 'When I see the blood, I will pass over you,' underlining that it was not based on behavior.

The Blood as a Token

Les quotes Exodus 12:13, showing that the blood was a token and that God would pass over those houses.

Why the Blood? The Bible's Answer to Forgiveness & Faith

God has been pouring out the plagues upon the Egyptians, the first few of course Israel experienced as well, and then God put a division where the Jews no longer experienced the plagues that fell on Egypt. The final one of course is going to be the worst one of all, and the one that really struck home to families and parents, was the death of the firstborn. You all know the background to that.

Bible Verses

Exodus 12:13: And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

This verse directly explains the purpose of the blood on the doorposts.

Exodus 12:22: And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

This verse provides the specific instructions for applying the blood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the blood on the doorposts for?

The blood was a token for God to see, and when He saw it, He would pass over the house, sparing the firstborn from death.

Did the blood on the doorposts protect from the death angel?

Yes, the blood marked the house as one to be passed over, and those within were safe from the death angel.

How was the blood applied to the doorposts?

They used hyssop to strike the lintel and two side posts with the blood in a basin.

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained