Are You Covered?

Brian Greene

Healthcare • Sermon • Submitted a month ago • Presented a month ago

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Prayer

Protocol

Text:

Exodus 12:7 KJV 1900

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:13 KJV 1900

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.

Introduction: The Power of Prevention

Imagine a world where diseases are caught before they manifest, where catastrophes are averted before they unfold.

I want you to imagine a world where COVID never happened.

This is a world that has mastered the art of preventative care.

In the early 1900s, a young doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis noticed an alarming trend in maternity wards.

Women were dying at an unprecedented rate from childbed fever. His revolutionary solution? Hand washing.

By implementing this simple preventative measure, he reduced mortality rates from 18% to 2%.

Semmelweis's insight saved countless lives, not through treatment, but through prevention.

This principle of prevention isn't just a modern medical concept.

It's deeply rooted in our spiritual heritage, vividly illustrated in the narrative of Exodus.

Setting the Scene: God's Exclusive Claim

The journey to this fateful night had been long and arduous.

For generations, the Israelites had toiled under the harsh rule of the Egyptian pharaohs, their cries for freedom seemingly falling on deaf ears.

Then, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Moses, a man chosen by God to lead His people out of bondage.

When Moses first approached Pharaoh with the divine command to release the Israelites, he was met with scorn and refusal.

What followed was a series of increasingly severe plagues that ravaged the land of Egypt.

The Nile turned to blood, frogs overran the country, and swarms of locusts devoured crops.

With each plague, the Israelites' hope grew, even as their Egyptian neighbors suffered.

As news of the final, most terrible plague spread among the Israelite community, a mix of emotions swept through their ranks.

There was fear, certainly - fear of the unknown, fear of the divine power about to be unleashed.

But there was also a sense of anticipation, a feeling that their long-awaited deliverance was finally at hand.

Families gathered in hushed conversations, passing along the instructions given by Moses.

Body Point 1: The Significance of Doors

What Doors Represent

And so when we look at the text

The Bible says God uses tells the children of Israel to put blood on their door post

I have to admit I was somewhat perplexed because out of all of the places

God asked them to put blood.

Why did he want them to put it on the door?

And so my brothers and sisters, I researched this word door in the Hebrew

In Hebrew, the word for door is "delet" (דֶּלֶת), which shares its root with "dal" (דַּל), meaning "poor" or "weak."

That’s when my brothers and sisters. It hit me what the Lord was saying is that this entire time you’ve been walking around with vulnerabilities

This door represents a weak spot. It is an opening.

It is a portal.

Many of us are being attacked by the enemy

Attacked in our mind

Attacked in our spirit

attacked on our job

in the grocery store

Everywhere we go the enemy seems get the upper

And it’s because of the doors or the portals we have uncovered

Some of you have fallen asleep at the door

But I’ve to talk to the watchman in your a say it’s time to wake up

some people will mistake vulnerability for opportunity

Because it worked out the way that I wanted it to

Because it showed up again, then it must be God

How many times have you had to sit wiping away the tears of defeat

realizing that you miss judged an opportunity for a vulnerability

They taught us a song growing up that’s said

be careful little eyes what you see

be careful little ears what you say

be careful little tongue what you say

why because they were trying to teach us

the importance of discernment

The Danger of Wrong Doors

Unfortunately, many of us find ourselves walking through the wrong doors, thinking we're stepping into opportunities, but instead, we're exposing ourselves to danger. Let's explore some common wrong doors you might be tempted to walk through:

Doors of compromise that lead to moral decay: You might find yourself in a situation where "just this once" seems harmless.

Maybe it's fudging numbers on your tax return or telling a "white lie" to avoid conflict.

You think, "It's not a big deal," but each compromise chips away at your integrity, leaving you exposed to greater temptations.

Doors of fear that keep you from God's best: Perhaps you've been offered a promotion that requires relocation.

The opportunity seems perfect, but fear whispers, "What if it doesn't work out?" So you decline, thinking you're playing it safe.

In reality, you've walked through a door of fear, potentially missing out on God's best for your life.

Doors of self-reliance that shut out divine intervention: You're facing a major decision - maybe it's about your career, a relationship, or a financial investment.

Instead of seeking God's guidance, you think, "I've got this."

You rely solely on your own wisdom and experience, inadvertently closing the door on God's supernatural wisdom and protection.

The Importance of Signs

Doors often come with signs, indicators of what lies beyond.

In Exodus 12:7,13, God provides a sign - but it's not what most people think.

Contrary to popular interpretation, the blood wasn't on the outside of the doorpost, but on the inside.

This wasn't a public display for the Egyptians, but a secret sign for Israel.

The death angel wasn't looking for blood; it was looking for the absence of blood.

This subtle detail carries profound implications.

It wasn't about advertising their protection but about their obedience and faith in God's word.

The penalty for ignoring this sign was severe - death of the firstborn.

How often do we miss or ignore the signs God places in our lives, rushing headlong into danger?

Remember: The right door isn't always the most obvious one.

God's protection often works in ways we don't expect.

Sometimes, the most powerful moves of God are the ones nobody else sees.

Body Point 2: The Protective Power of Blood

Blood: Our Body's Miraculous Defense System

In our bodies, blood acts as an incredible protective force, much like a highly sophisticated security system.

Let's explore how this "liquid armor" works:

White blood cells: Think of these as your body's personal army.

Just as soldiers defend a nation, white blood cells patrol your bloodstream, ready to attack invading bacteria and viruses.

For example, when you get a cut, these cells rush to the site to fight off potential infections.

Platelets: Imagine these as the body's construction crew.

When you get a cut, platelets spring into action, clumping together to form a clot - essentially, they're patching up the hole in your skin to stop bleeding and prevent further damage.

Antibodies: These are like your body's memory bank of past invaders.

Once your immune system encounters a pathogen, it creates specific antibodies.

If that same pathogen tries to invade again, these antibodies quickly recognize and neutralize it - similar to how a bouncer might remember and stop troublemakers from entering a club.

The remarkable properties of blood in our bodies mirror its spiritual significance in the Bible.

Let's examine how blood serves as a powerful symbol and tool in Scripture:

Blood in Biblical Context: More Than Just a Symbol

In the Old Testament, blood wasn't just a metaphor; it was a tangible means of connecting with God:

Consecration (Exodus 29:20-21): Blood was used to set people or objects apart for God's purposes.

It's like how we might use a special ribbon to mark something as important or valuable.

For instance, when priests were ordained, blood was applied to their right ear, thumb, and big toe, symbolizing their total dedication to God's service.

Cleansing (Leviticus 14:14-18): Blood was used in purification rituals, symbolizing the washing away of impurities.

This is similar to how we use soap to clean our hands - blood was seen as the ultimate spiritual cleanser.

For example, in the cleansing ritual for lepers, blood was applied to signify their restoration to the community.

Atonement (Leviticus 17:11): Blood played a crucial role in making amends for sin.

It's like paying a debt - the life of the animal was given to cover the debt of human sin.

This foreshadowed Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, where His blood would provide eternal atonement for all who believe.

Blood as a Sign

In Exodus 12:7, we encounter a crucial detail about the Passover that often goes unnoticed.

The verse instructs the Israelites to take the blood of the lamb and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of their houses.

It's like when we put up "Do Not Disturb" signs on our hotel room doors - a signal meant for others.

But what if those signs were meant for us instead?

For generations, many have assumed this blood was placed on the outside of the doorframes, visible to all who passed by.

However, a closer look at the text reveals a surprising twist that challenges this common interpretation - much like discovering your favorite childhood movie has a completely different meaning when you watch it as an adult.

Think about the purpose of this blood.

It wasn't a warning to others, like a "Beware of Dog" sign.

Instead, it was a reminder to the Israelites themselves - similar to how we might put sticky notes on our mirrors to encourage ourselves each morning.

If the blood had been on the outside, it would have been like posting your house key's location on social media - not the smartest move when you're trying to stay safe.

So, it's more likely the blood was applied to the inside of the doorframes.

This placement is significant for several reasons.

First, it kept the sign hidden from others, like a secret handshake between friends.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, it served as a powerful reminder to the Israelites of their special relationship with God - much like how a cherished family photo might be placed in a private spot in your home.

Picture this: an Israelite family, huddled together in their home, with the blood of the lamb marking the entrance from within.

It's like when we gather around a warm fireplace during a storm, feeling safe and protected.

Every glance at those blood-stained doorposts reminded them of God's promise, similar to how a child might clutch a parent's hand for reassurance in a crowded place.

This internal placement of the blood also hints at a deeper truth.

Just as the blood inside the homes protected the Israelites, our inner beliefs and values shield us from life's challenges.

It's not about wearing your faith on your sleeve, but about the convictions you hold in your heart - like how true confidence comes from within, not from designer labels.

Moreover, the blood on the inside speaks to the personal nature of our relationship with God.

This relationship with God comes with some benefits

Body Point 3: The Benefits of Divine Coverage