Year 1, Week 9, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 9, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Exodus 12-13.

Today’s reading covers the tenth plague—the Passover. But before it details the event of the Passover itself, Exodus 12 provides details concerning the ceremony of Passover. The ceremony of Passover along with the Feast of Unleavened Bread would serve as annual reminders to reenact what occurred during  the event of Passover. Exodus 12 finally describes the event of Passover immediately followed by the description of the exit from Egypt. The last part of Exodus 12 and then the opening section of Exodus 13 records the installment of the ceremony of Passover as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Today’s reading ends with a note of the LORD’s presence guiding them as they depart from Egypt. The manifestation of a cloud by day and fire by night certainly enabled the guiding presence of the LORD to be obviously noticeable, but it was perhaps also a kindness to have the provision of a cloud to shield the hot desert sun during the day, along with the supply of warmth for chilly desert nights.

What struck me from today’s reading was the LORD’s instructions pertaining to the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. These ceremonies were commanded to remind God’s people of key implications that are vitally connection to His redeeming work: “Give thanks…to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1,10-11). The ceremonies were to reenact and commemorate God’s procedure for how He saves His people. Israel would later sing in connection with the Passover celebration: "I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1).

In the context of the tenth plague, Israel would be released from their Egyptian captivity. But the significance of the tenth plague being that of the Passover event, is important to grasp. The LORD is about to strike down all of the firstborn: “For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.” (Exodus 12:12). Up to this point, there was an automatic distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites during the plaques. The Israelites were exempt from the curse of the plagues. However, to avert the devastation of the tenth plague, the Israelites must carefully follow the LORD’s instructions on the eve of the night of Passover. The blood of a slaughtered lamb must be painted on the doorposts of the Israelite homes: “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 no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13). Failure to comply would result in the execution of the LORD’s justice.

The Passover was meant to shape Israel’s understanding of both themselves and the LORD. Certainly, they were being rescued from Egyptian slavery, but the Passover was meant to teach Israel that their biggest problem was not that they were in Egypt. The bondage in Egypt was a symbol of a deeper layer of bondage—the bondage of sin. Unless they relied on God’s provision through the lamb, they would face—deservedly so—the same judgment that Egypt faced. But the lamb served as a substitute by bearing the penalty of death in their place. The blood of the lamb would rescue them from their enemies, but also release them from God’s justice. The event of Passover and the ensuing ceremony of Passover was meant to keep at the forefront of Israel’s mind, the powerful redeeming work of the LORD, who, through the substitutionary sacrifice of a lamb remedied Israel’s alienation from the LORD. All of this previews the work of Jesus, who is "Christ, our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Thus, as we understand how the Passover worked and what it accomplished, we are given an aid to understanding what Christ did for us.

Coupled with the Passover ceremony was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was also designed to remind Israel of other important aspects of the LORD redeeming work: “They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it…In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste.” (Exodus 12:8,11). As the LORD’s redeemed people, the Israelites were to flee the life of sin and affliction that they experienced in Egypt. While they will soon forget and falsely reminisce of the good life  they had in Egypt, the fact of the matter was that it was a life of hardship. In the Passover, they were being afforded a chance to leave that life behind them and head to “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 13:5). If Israel was to live a new kind of life, how much more are those redeemed by Christ, called to live a new kind of life: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe