Isaiah 52:13–15a See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness—so will he sprinkle many nations…
Last weekend Cheryl and I led a retreat under the theme “Blood and Water Flowed.” We shared how the things that flowed from the pieced side of Jesus at the crucifixion were used throughout God’s promising and foretelling and carrying out His plan of salvation.
So will he sprinkle many nations. Sprinkling with hyssop, using water and blood, is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Old Testament. In terms of cleansing and purification.. Here a a few examples:
- Leviticus 14:5–7 Cleansing some one healed of Skin Disease – Water and Blood
- Numbers 8:5–7 Ceremonial Cleansing of Levites, priestly tribe – WATER
- Numbers 19:16–21 Cleansing those who touched Dead Body – Water
- Exodus 29:21 Consecration of Priests – Blood
Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
David’s repentance in Psalm 51 mentions hyssop, which was used to sprinkle, but he doesn’t say where it was blood or water or both. It really doesn’t matter, though, because we know, as did David, that the cleansing and purification comes from God!
Blood, recognized as a synonym for life, was used to rescue and was necessary for forgiveness. Remember how God’s people were spared from the tenth and final plague in Egypt.
Exodus 12:22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.
The blood of the Lamb marked the homes of God’s faithful and the angel of death passed over those homes. Jesus is the ultimate Lamb of God, whose blood covers all those who put their faith in Him, assuring them of cleansing, pardon, forgiveness, peace and eternal life.
