Throughout the grand narrative of Scripture, from the Exodus of the Israelites in Egypt to the ultimate victory in Revelation, the concept of Passover emerges as a profound demonstration of God’s protective power. The traditional understanding of Passover often conveys the image of God passing by the Israelites' homes during the final plague in Egypt. However, a deeper examination of the Hebrew terms and the broader biblical context reveals a richer interpretation: God doesn’t merely pass by; He passes over, shielding and safeguarding His people from destruction when He sees the blood. This divine protection is what we can call the "Shekinah Shield," an impenetrable barrier of God’s holy presence. (All scripture references are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.)
The Meaning of Passover in Exodus
The account of the first Passover in Exodus 12 is well-known. God instructs the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, ensuring that the angel of death, the destroyer, would pass over their homes and spare their firstborn sons. The Hebrew word for Passover, Pesach (פֶּסַח), conveys more than just the idea of skipping or bypassing. It implies an act of divine protection, where God actively guards and preserves those who are marked by the blood. As Exodus 12:13 states, “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
The Protection of God in Isaiah
This interpretation is reinforced in the prophetic book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 31:5, it is written, “Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it.” Here, the same Hebrew word Pesach is used, but in the context of God’s protective oversight rather than a simple bypassing. The Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, uses the term περιποιήσομαι (peripoiesomai), meaning "to preserve" or "to keep safe," underscoring the protective nature of God’s action in this passage. God’s passing over is a proactive defense against harm, demonstrating His role as a guardian who hovers over His people, shielding them from impending danger.
The Shekinah Shield: God's Presence as a Protective Force
The Shekinah Shield refers to the tangible, protective presence of God—His Shekinah glory—that both shields and sanctifies His people. The Holy Spirit is not a force but a divine Person whose presence radiates power, much like the sun. If one draws too close to this holy presence without proper preparation, they would be consumed by its intensity; conversely, those who distance themselves from His light find themselves in darkness. This concept is evident throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, where God’s presence was so holy and powerful that it could not be approached lightly. The Ark of the Covenant, which housed the Shekinah glory, was so sacred that when Uzzah touched it to steady it, he was struck down instantly (2 Samuel 6:6-7). This event demonstrates the incompatibility of sinful human nature with the pure, holy presence of God. As Romans 8:10 states, "And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."
This dual reality—of death and life—highlights the profound mystery of God’s presence in the life of a believer. Through the blood of Christ, we are both "killed" and "kept alive" simultaneously. Our old, sinful nature is put to death, while our new nature in Christ is preserved and empowered by the Shekinah Shield. This is what Peter refers to when he speaks of being "kept by the power of God through faith" (1 Peter 1:5). The Shekinah Shield is not merely a passive presence; it is an active, preserving force that protects us from spiritual death and the assaults of the enemy.
The Life-Giving Power of the Shekinah Glory
The life-giving power of God’s presence is further illustrated by the miracle of Aaron’s rod. When placed in the Ark of the Covenant, Aaron’s rod budded, blossomed, and even produced almonds (Numbers 17:8). This miraculous event was a demonstration of the resurrection power inherent in the Shekinah glory. Just as Aaron’s rod came to life in the presence of God, so too does the believer’s life experience resurrection power when they are conscious of God’s presence. This reality is echoed in Romans 8:11: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The Apostle Paul also speaks of this in Philippians 3:10-11, where he expresses his desire “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Paul recognized that the resurrection power was something to be actively pursued and experienced in this life. The Shekinah glory of God, when acknowledged and embraced, brings this resurrection reality into the believer’s life, enabling them to walk in newness of life, with the power of the resurrection at work within them.
The Blood and the Shekinah Glory
The significance of the blood in this divine protection is not limited to the Passover in Egypt. It permeates the entire Levitical sacrificial system. The atoning sacrifices offered on behalf of the people of Israel were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. In the Tabernacle, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, and it was here that God’s Shekinah glory, His manifest presence, would descend and rest. As Leviticus 16:14-15 details, “He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.”
This powerful image finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant, where believers are described as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Just as the blood of the sacrificial lamb in the Old Covenant allowed God’s presence to rest upon the mercy seat, so too does the blood of Christ, when applied to our hearts, allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, shielding and protecting us from spiritual harm. Peter speaks of his body as a "tabernacle" (2 Peter 1:13-14), emphasizing the temporary yet sacred nature of our physical bodies as dwelling places for God's presence. Hebrews 9:11 refers to Christ entering "the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands," highlighting the spiritual reality of believers as walking temples of God’s glory on earth.
As we carry the Shekinah glory of God, we walk as living tabernacles, made without hands, embodying His divine presence and power. This indwelling presence is not just a symbol but an active force that causes the forces of darkness to tremble and flee. Just as the Ark of the Covenant carried the presence of God and caused Dagon, the god of the Philistines, to fall before it (1 Samuel 5:2-4), so too does the presence of God within us cause demons and the destroyer to flee. The power of God’s presence in our lives is intricately connected to our clear conscience, as Paul and Peter both stress the importance of a heart that is pure and forgiven. Jesus taught us to pray with a clean conscience, forgiving others as we are forgiven, so that we may walk in the fullness of God’s protection and power (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
Kept by the Power of God Through Faith
This reality of being "kept by the power of God through faith" as Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:5, is deeply connected to the empowerment that Paul describes in his prayers for the believers. Paul emphasizes that we have access to this grace through faith (Romans 5:2), which enables the Passover power of God—His tangible, protective presence—to rest upon us. This presence is described as the Shekinah glory, the Spirit of Glory, and the Holy Spirit, who not only shields us but also empowers us with divine grace.
As we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, His consuming fire falls upon us, transforming us into burning bushes—vessels of His light and power. This fire, which symbolizes God’s presence, provides us with might and protection against the darkness. Just as lions fear fire, the enemies of our souls—devils and demons—cannot approach the light of God’s presence within us. They cannot comprehend or overcome this light (John 1:5), and therefore, they flee from it. This divine light, the Passover power, is what keeps us safe, as we live by faith, maintaining a clear conscience before God.
Passover in Our Lives
As believers, we are called to be continually conscious of the power of the blood of Christ. The blood is not just a symbol of past deliverance; it is a present reality that creates a tangible barrier between us and the forces of darkness. Hebrews 10:22 tells us to draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. This sprinkling of our hearts with Christ’s blood is a powerful spiritual act that invites the Holy Spirit to pass over us, to cover us, and to protect us from the enemy’s attacks.
The Sacraments: A Continual Consciousness of Christ's Sacrifice
The Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper, serves as a continual, tangible reminder of Christ's sacrifice. When we partake of the bread and wine, symbolizing His body and blood, we engage in a sacramental sign act—a physical manifestation of a spiritual truth. This sacrament is not merely symbolic; it is a means by which we release our faith and tap into the spiritual reality of Christ's finished work on the cross. As Jesus Himself instructed in Luke 22:19-20, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”
This act of communion becomes a point of contact, a mediation between the spiritual realities we have as children of God in Christ Jesus and the material reality of the fallen world. By participating in the Eucharist, we align ourselves with the spiritual victory of Christ, enabling us to overcome the trials and temptations of this world. Communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper is a sacramental sign act given to believers to keep them preserved by the power of God through faith in His sacrifice.
However, the power of the Eucharist is also a solemn responsibility. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, warns that "whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep." This passage underscores the necessity of approaching the Lord’s Supper with a clear conscience and reverence, understanding that the sacrament is meant to function as a shield, not as a magnet for judgment from the destroyer. The failure to properly examine oneself and recognize the body and blood of Christ can turn this sacrament from a means of grace into an occasion for divine discipline.
The Brazen Serpent and the Power of the Cross
In the wilderness, when the Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes, God instructed Moses to lift up a brazen serpent on a pole. Those who looked upon the serpent were healed and lived (Numbers 21:8-9). This event is a powerful type of the cross, where Jesus was lifted up to take upon Himself the sins and curses of the world. As Jesus Himself says in John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” When we, like the Israelites, behold the cross and become conscious of Christ’s sacrifice, the bites of the serpent—the enemy—lose their power over us.
The Passover power is not merely a defensive measure; it is an offensive declaration of victory over the powers of darkness. As we live in the consciousness of Christ’s blood, the enemy’s attacks are rendered powerless. Our clear conscience, cleansed by the blood, forms an impenetrable barrier that repels the enemy’s advances. This is why James 4:7 tells us to submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
Conclusion: Living in the Power of the Shekinah Shield
The revelation of Passover as God’s active protection over His people transforms our understanding of spiritual warfare. It calls us to live in a constant state of awareness of the blood of Christ, which cleanses, protects, and empowers us. As we submit to God and remain in communion with the Holy Spirit, the Passover power of God—His Shekinah Shield—hovers over us, shielding us from harm and enabling us to walk in victory.
By understanding that God passes over us—not by us—we can walk in the full assurance that the blood of Christ is our ultimate protection, securing us in His love and power. We are kept by the power of God through faith, our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and we stand victorious in the face of the enemy, overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
References
The Hebrew and Greek Definitions of Passover:
The Hebrew term Pesach (פֶּסַח) as used in Exodus 12:13 implies a protective act of God, rather than a simple bypass. This is supported by the use of peripoiesomai in the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 31:5, meaning "to preserve" or "to keep safe."
Koehler, Ludwig, and Walter Baumgartner. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
Brueggemann, Walter. The Theology of the Book of Isaiah. Cambridge University Press, 1998. Brueggemann discusses the protective aspect of God’s actions in Isaiah, particularly in the context of Passover.
Merrill, Eugene H. "A Theology of the Pentateuch: The Righteousness of God," in Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Roy B. Zuck, ed. Moody Press, 1991. Merrill emphasizes the protective nature of God’s actions during the Passover as a reflection of His covenant faithfulness.
Scriptural Citations:
Exodus 12:13: "Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."
Isaiah 31:5: "Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it."
Hebrews 10:22: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
1 Peter 1:5: "who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Corinthians 11:27-30: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep."
John 1:5: "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
Romans 5:2: "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Matthew 6:12, 14-15: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors... For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Numbers 21:8-9: "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."
John 3:14-15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
James 4:7: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
1 Samuel 5:2-4: "When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord."
Comments