Surah Ta Ha (Surah 20) tells the story of Moses from the burning bush to the deliverance of the people of Israel out of Egypt.

On the surface, the account in Surah 20 tally’s with the original account given in the Taurat (Exodus chapters 3-15). However, when I look a little more closely, I find a big problem!

Where is the blood?

At the climax of the story of Moses, as told in Exodus 12, a lamb is taken, sacrificed, and its blood applied to the doors of the Jewish homes as protection against the Angel of Death. The promise of Yahweh was “when I see the blood, I will pass over you”.

The question we must ask is whether this sacrificial act is central to the story or merely an incidental detail?

First of all, we discover that this act of redemption by blood was thereafter commemorated in the Feast of Passover.

“Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.”

Numbers 9:2

But how can we be sure that the Feast of Passover is commemorating this act of redemptive sacrifice, and not simply deliverance from Egypt?

Turning to the last book in the Hebrew Scriptures, the book of Chronicles, we find that even after almost 1000 years have passed, the Passover in still being celebrated, and sacrifice is still central to the commemorations.

“So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.”

2 Chronicles 35:6

Come another 2000 years to the present, and a quick search on the internet will show the continuing importance of the Passover to the Jewish people:

‘Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar.’ [BBC]

‘Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays.’ [History.com]

‘Passover is the second most important holy day of the Jewish year.’ [Jewish Voice]

Now, go back and read Surah 20 (Ta Ha) again, and ask yourself why this most important and central feature of the account of Moses and the people of Israel is missing: where is the blood?

This is a glaring omission, and brings the authenticity of the Qur’an into question.

Why is the blood so importance?

‘Without shedding of blood is no forgiveness [of sins].’

Hebrews 9:22

God is righteous, and the divine principle of justice is ‘an eye for an eye’ (Matt 5:38) … life for life, and therefore ‘it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment’ (Hebs 9:27) … eternal judgment. This leaves us with no hope, unless … another will take our place and bear the judgment of God for us.

This is the glorious message of the Gospel, and what the Passover was pointing towards all along.

‘Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us’

1 Corinthians 5:7

The blood of Christ has been shed for us, but it must be applied to us to become effective in sheltering us from the coming judgment.

Come to Christ today, and shelter under His blood.