Exodus 12:13 (NKJV) says, "...when I (the Lord) see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you..."
This blood is a 'picture' of Jesus' blood shed for you on the cross, and the word 'plague' here in Hebrew is 'negeph', which means 'infliction (of disease), hurt, strike, hit, beat, put to worse.'
It seems there's really no safe place on earth anymore nowadays (even in some of the safest of nations to live in), and with the increase in natural disasters, uncertain weather conditions, political turmoils, economic woes, terrorism, new viruses, etc, the only safe place is to come under the covering of the blood of Jesus.
The blood of Jesus not only saves, but protects you.
When the Lord spoke to Moses to take a census of the children of Israel, He told him that 'every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord', so that there may be no plague among them. See Exodus 30:11-16. The word 'ransom' here in Hebrew is 'kopher', which means 'cover, redemption price, atonement, reconciliation'. The Israelites still celebrate Yom Kippur (means 'Day of At-one-ment') even till today, and this word 'kippur' comes from the same word 'kopher' here. It is 'the money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner/slave' (for their release from bondage/captivity).
The Bible says Jesus came to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).
In Moses' days, it was also an obligation for everyone (20 years old and upwards) to give half a shekel as offering to the Lord. Whether rich or poor, they were to give the same amount, no more and no less, i.e. a fixed sum (see Exodus 30:14-15). This offering was binding on all those who were numbered (i.e. counted as part of God's people). You only 'count' what you 'own'. For example, when you own a business, only then will you have the right to do the counting of your business' assets (or tell your accountant to do the counting for you). Likewise, today, as a believer in the New Covenant, you too are 'counted' as His own, His redeemed people, righteously forgiven, i.e. not only you are forgiven, you are also made righteous through Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
This half a shekel, the fixed sum, actually speaks of Jesus' blood. Whatever your background or past, He paid the same price for you on the cross. And He paid it in full, with His own life. Money (i.e. the ransom money) here speaks of 'buying and selling'. For God demonstrated His love for you, that while you were still sinners, He died for you (Romans 5:8). He paid it with a price, His own life. That's how precious you are to Him, and that's how much He loves you. He gave up all in order to 'buy' you back! Yes, with His blood! The Bible says you have been 'purchased' with His blood! (Acts 20:28)
In 2 Samuel 24, David's own mistake (of calling for a census for his nation) led to the death of 70,000 of his men (see 2 Samuel 24:14-15). This was an example of a 'plague' that came by one's own doing, and David was very sorry for his people, and a shepherd's heart David was, he did sincerely try to mediate for his people (2 Samuel 24:17). One would wonder why David in such a matured and advanced age by then (and having seen so many battles won by the Lord) still made a mistake that affected so many lives. Well, just as David, we are all human, and who has never made a mistake before? But God in all His mercy saw his heart, and that's when He spoke to him through the seer, Gad, to 'erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah'.
What is a 'threshing floor'? That is where the 'beating of sheaves (with the rod)' takes place. This speaks of Jesus as well. Some 2,000 years ago, He was 'beaten' at the Mount of Calvary for you and me, and He paid it all in full, so that the 'beatings' on you would stop (and in this case, for David and the nation of Israel). Jesus also became the 'burnt offering' and the 'peace offering' (see 2 Samuel 24:25), so that all the anger of the Lord against sin was fully satisfied through Him (Jesus). And by the way, 'Araunah' in Hebrew means 'strength'. The Bible says Jesus is your strength and shield (Psalm 28:7). In times of plague ('beatings'), David came to Araunah. Today, Jesus is also inviting you to come to Him as well, no matter what happened, because He is your strength and song, and in Him (Yeshua) you'll trust and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2).
And just as in David's situation, the 'beating' stops when you begin to look to Jesus, your burnt offering and your peace offering. The Bible says He will not leave His righteous forsaken (or deserted). He calls you His own, He has paid the price in full for you on the cross, and He has given His life a ransom for you. So, take heart, and because He calls you His beloved, He will also surely recover you. Amen!
