Yes, the Israelites were not afraid because they had faith in God's promise concerning the blood on the doorposts.
The evidence shows that the Israelites, having applied the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts, trusted that God would pass over their homes. This faith, not their own efforts, gave them a calm and secure feeling, contrasting with the fear of the Egyptians. Les Feldick emphasizes that their security was solely based on the blood, which they saw as an act of faith.
Exodus 12:13 — This verse directly gives the promise that the blood on the doorposts would cause God to pass over, providing the basis for Israel's faith and lack of fear.
In Exodus 12:13, God promises Israel that when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into their houses to smite them. This divine promise assured their physical safety. The account in Exodus does not explicitly describe the emotional state of the Israelites, but it presents the blood as the sole condition for their protection. The Scripture also indicates that the Israelites obeyed God's instructions, placing the blood on the doorposts, and thus they were spared when the death angel struck Egypt.
Les Feldick teaches that the Israelites who had applied the blood to their doorposts experienced a calm and secure feeling, not fear, because they knew by faith that the blood guaranteed their safety. He contrasts their security with the wailing and mourning heard from Egyptian households, emphasizing that the Jews behind the blood-marked doors were totally safe. This security was not based on their own goodness or efforts, but solely on the blood applied to the door. Les also applies this to present-day believers, stating that just as the blood on the door protected Israel, the blood of Christ applied to believers secures them from God's judgment.
The blood on the doorposts signified obedience and faith in God's specific provision for their deliverance. It was not merely a ritual but a deliberate act of trust in God's promise to pass over their homes, sparing their firstborn. Les Feldick notes that this act of faith was essential; those who did not apply the blood would have lost their firstborn like the Egyptians.
The Israelites had the assurance of God's promise: when He saw the blood on the door, He would pass over them. This assurance gave them a calm and secure feeling, even as they heard the Egyptians' distress. They did not have to fear the death angel because they trusted God's word.
Les Feldick applies the Passover blood to the work of Christ. Just as the Israelites were safe under the blood of the lamb, believers who have the blood of Christ applied are secure from judgment. He cites Romans 8:37 to show that nothing can separate us from the love of God, giving believers confidence similar to that of the Israelites.
What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline and Sin?
to the place where the Lord will take them home. And the reason is that if you're going to leave a little leaven, it isn't very long until it takes over the whole lump. You women who bake bread, you know that. You put in a little bit of yeast, you can't keep part of the dough unleavened. It's all going to come under the effect of the yeast. Well, he's using that analogy for the church.
Faith Over Fear
Les teaches that the Israelites were not shaking with fear but knew by faith the blood kept them secure.
Security in the Blood
Les emphasizes that the Israelites were absolutely secure only because of the blood on the door, an act of faith.
Faith in the Blood
He reiterates that they knew by faith the death angel would not strike, so they did not have to shake in their boots.
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.
Calm and Secure
Les asks whether they stood in fear or had calm security, concluding they were calm and secure.
Safe Behind the Blood
He describes the Jewish families behind blood-marked doors as totally safe while hearing Egyptian mourning, because God said 'When I see the blood, I will pass over you.'
Application to Believers
Les parallels the safety of the Jewish family with the security of believers who have the blood of Christ applied.
Exodus 12:13: And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye 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 is the core promise that gave the Israelites confidence, as it directly states that the blood would cause God to pass over them.
Romans 8:37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Les cites this verse to show believers' security in Christ, paralleling the safety of the Israelites under the blood.
They did not fear because they had obeyed God's instruction to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts, and they trusted His promise that He would pass over them. Their faith in the blood brought a calm sense of security.
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