CHAPTER 1 Jesus Christ, Our Passover CONTINUES…
In the days supervening the Egyptian debut, God revealed this salvation mystery to Moses, precept upon precept, line upon line. Though they had benefited directly from the prototype, Israel still did not understand the mystery that had not only preserved them but also facilitated their departure or deliverance from Egypt.
Hence, in the ordinances, God laid down procedures for receiving forgiveness, cleansing, purging and covering. At all levels, blood was indispensable. Only bloodshed could bring atonement.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Lev 17:11.
“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22.
Throughout the various dispensations of scripture, we confront this vital truth. First, it was in sketchy shadows. It began with Man’s covering in Eden following the fall, Abel’s blood offering, Noah’s blood sacrifice, Abraham’s blood sacrifice, the Circumcision, the offering of Isaac, the Kid that ransomed Joseph in the luxuriant wilderness of Shechem which finally culminated in the first organized Passover in the land of Egypt.
From that time on, the prototype continued to be celebrated pending the original which would take place many years later. For the time being, while the wilderness wandering lasted, Israel revisited this very important feast in the Sinai plains – Numbers 9:5.
Next, as soon as they berthed at Gilgal the border of their inheritance, Israel once again kept the Passover in the plains of Jericho -Joshua 5:10.
At this juncture, God’s programme for the Gentiles began to be hinted. Accordingly, when Joshua sent spies to Jericho, it was a prostitute, the city’s social wretch of perhaps the vilest order, that accommodated and aided the spies. This was a professional so despised by the society of her days, she could only find accommodation on the city wall. She was not good enough to dwell within the polished social system that must have existed at the time. It was this social miscreant that believed the gospel in her days and was saved with her house. This, of course, is compatible with scripture.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1Corianthians 1:26-29
Now, how was Rahab’s salvation accomplished? It was through the instrumentality of the Passover.
“And the men said unto her, Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And she said, according unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” Joshua 2:17-19,21. Emphasis added.
Look at this ‘outlaw’! Strangers get to this city to survey the place preparatory to an imminent invasion. She does not only believe that resistance is hopeless, she also believes the only prescription they offer for her safety. Then she promptly acts upon her belief: she ties one ridiculous looking scarlet thread in her window.
Surely enough, within a few days, the dreaded attack takes place. Now, what happens?
“And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” Joshua 6:2-22,25. Emphasis added.
The bloodline had gone right through Gentile lands and for good measure, it located a social and moral ‘reject’ for covering and salvation. God certainly had made the point. By the scarlet line, a symbol of the bloodline, even the Gentiles could be saved.
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