Exodus 12:1-51
The Passover is an important Jewish festival celebrating Israel's redemption from Egypt. The Jews observe it as a memorial feast, an everlasting ordinance. It marked the beginning of a new day. See Exodus 12:2.
The tenth and final plague of severe judgment upon the Egyptians was to be the slaying of all the firstborn in the land, both man and beast. Every man of the children of Israel was to "take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household." It was to be "without blemish, a male of the first year." At twilight the lamb was offered as a sacrifice. The lamb was killed.
Some of the blood was taken, and spread on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the house. This was very important, because the Lord had warned, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:12, 13. The blood was applied.
The night of the Passover each household ate the flesh of the lamb, roasted in fire. It was eaten in haste with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
"And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock." The Bible says, "There was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead." Exodus 12:29, 30.
Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel." The Egyptians urged them to go, fearful that they would all be killed. God's people exited Egypt. Their redemption was realized.
The apostle Paul wrote, "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 5:7. Even as the children of Israel were redeemed by the blood of the lamb at Passover, we have been redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." 1 Peter 1:19. The Lamb was killed, the blood applied by faith, and our redemption realized.
Loving God, thank You for Jesus, and the blood that was shed. We know that redemption is found only in Him. Have Your way in our lives. Help us to live for You in all that we do. In Jesus' name. Amen!
