Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 11:28

"By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them." — Hebrews 11:28 (ASV)

The final example of faith in connection with Moses concerns the Passover. The verb “kept” (GK 4472) can also be translated “instituted.” Whichever translation we prefer, the striking thing is Moses’ provision for its continuance: “For the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance” (Exodus 12:14). The author of Hebrews adds a reference to “the sprinkling of blood” (cf. Exodus 12:7), which is a further illustration of faith. Nothing in the previous experience of either Moses or the Israelites justified putting blood above the doors, but their faith was vindicated when “the destroyer of the firstborn” passed over them. Moses had nothing to go on but the conviction that God had directed him. Clearly, faith triumphed.