Exodus 12:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All of these elements symbolize our sacraments, for with the blood of our Lamb, we mark not just the forehead but also the two lower parts of the face, purifying and sanctifying the speech and mouth in the physical realm, and in the mental aspect as a substitute for the forehead representing reason, and for the two lower parts representing the passions and desires within the soul.

Geographers note that Egypt is the lowest place on earth. Thus, Scripture speaks not only of leading out but also of elevating; this signifies guiding those who transition from earthly desires to the Spirit and uplifting those who rise from the physical to the spiritual. The Egyptians embody a love of worldly pleasures, despite their outward beauty, while the Israelites embrace devotion to God and reject worldly matters. For the Egyptians, the water turns to blood, whereas for the Israelites, water remains as it is by divine nature. Since water symbolizes nourishment and life, it becomes evident that for individuals who acquire their sustenance through injustice and exploitation, they turn water into blood—signifying their role as oppressors. In contrast, for those who gain their sustenance through honest toil, their experience of water is life-giving. The death of the Egyptian firstborn occurs because their doorposts lack the lamb's blood. The firstfruits symbolize the initial thoughts of the mind, the doorposts reflect the senses, and the destroyer represents the adversary, who ensnares the soul through the senses, stifling every divine impulse within. However, the firstborn of the Israelites are safeguarded by the anointing with blood, signifying that the divine movements of the mind are sustained by the discipline of the senses.

Beloved, what has been declared and what has transpired holds no meaning unless understood as a parable or a sign. Everything that occurs and is spoken about serves as a parable: that which is recounted is a parable, and what takes place serves as a prototype, such that events are revealed through prototypes, while narrations are illuminated through parables. If this is not a foreshadowing, the matter itself is without purpose. Is the future not perceived through symbolic imagery? Thus, an image of what is to come is fashioned—like wax, clay, or wood—so that the future may be glimpsed in greater glory and greater strength, beautiful in form and abundant in richness through a small and transient representation.

For when that which is but a representation of what is occurring happens, then that which held an image of the future becomes obsolete and unnecessary, and the genuine truth gives way to what truly exists. The dishonorable turns to honor, as true value becomes evident. All things have their designated time: the image has its time, and reality has its time. You create a representation of truth, longing for it because in it you perceive an icon of what is to come. You present reality instead of the image, for you recognize in it the future. You fulfill the act and desire solely this, loving this alone, seeing within it both the image and the reality and the truth.

Thus, as all things occur in corruptible examples, so do they also manifest in incorruptible ones: both earthly and heavenly. And just as the salvation and truth of the Lord are foreshadowed in the people of Israel, so the doctrines of the Gospel are prefigured by the law. Consequently, the people represented the predestined, and the law served as the record of a parable; however, the Gospel is the unfolding and realization of the law, and the church embodies the receptacle of truth.

The image thus held significance prior to the truth, and the parable was admirable before the exposition arose. In other words, the people held worth before the Church was established, and the law was commendable before the Gospel illuminated the world. But once the Church emerged and the Gospel was revealed, the prototype was completed, transferring power to the truth, and the law was fulfilled, bestowing strength to the Gospel. Just as the prototype was finished, conveying the image to that which is intrinsically true, the parable faded as the exposition emerged.

In a similar manner, the law reached its fullness when the Gospel shone forth, and the people were rendered complete upon the founding of the Church. The image was dismantled when the Lord was manifested, and in this present time, what once had significance has become unnecessary, as what is truly valuable has been disclosed. The sacrifice of the lamb held value once, but now it is insignificant due to the Lord's life; the death of the lamb was once precious, but now it is without worth because of the Lord's salvation; the blood of the lamb was valuable, but now it is devoid of significance because of the Lord's Spirit; the silent lamb held importance, but now it is inconsequential because of the spotless Son; the earthly temple was valuable once, but now it is meaningless in the presence of Christ who is from above.