Exodus 12 - 13

  • Recall why God is bringing judgement here. What does it translate to in today's time?

(See commentaries on Exodus 5-11)


  • Why was lambs (and, say, not cats) chosen for sacrifice?

Lambs are believed to be very gentle, meek, and submissive (Heard of saying "As meek as a lamb"?). Lamb is often associated with a person who is gentle, meek, innocent. That is why a lamb is often associated with Jesus who is the most gentle and meek person and also hundred percent innocent.

Augustine said of Jesus "He endured death as a lamb".

For sacrifices in Old Testament, an animal which is also known for gentleness, meekness, innocence, like Jesus is known for, had to be chosen for sacrifices. Jesus would eventually be the ultimate sacrifice made, which would replace all animal sacrifices made under old covenant. As John 1:29 says "Behold, the Lamb of God (Jesus), who takes away the sin of the world!"


  • Unlike nine earlier plagues, why Israelites were in danger from the 10th plague?
  • What all do you learn about God’s character from these passages?

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The bloody sacrifice of the lambs also represents God's judgement & wrath on sin. Remember God is a just God. He does not let sin go unpunished.

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  • What do the following represent / translate-to TODAY: (1) Passover lamb, (2) sacrifice of lamb, (2) blood on door post, (3) Firstborns, (4) The destroyer, (5) The Passover feast, (6) Unleavened bread (7) "being ready" as in Exodus 12:11 (8) Consecration of firstborns (Exodus 13)

(1), (2), (3): Here the blood from the sacrifice of the lambs was needed to save the firstborns of Israelites from death. Today, Jesus represents the Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), as we are saved from eternal death by sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His blood from the sacrifice (John 1:29, Romans 5:9). Death came to swallow both firstborns of Egyptians and Israelites (Exodus 12:12-13). This means God send judgement on both the firstborns of Egyptians as well as the Israelites. This reminds me of what Jesus said in Luke 13:2-5:- "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.". That is, both Egyptians and Israelites were sinners and deserved judgement. However, Israelites were spared because they repented (i.e., followed God's commands) and were justified by the blood of the lambs sacrificed. The Egyptians did not repent.

(3): Today, firstborns represent all people, as all people need to be saved from God's judgement and subsequently eternal death (i.e., as per Luke 13:2-5).

(4): Destroyer represents Gods' judgement

(5): The Passover feast:- We do not celebrate Passover anymore as an requirement, as we are now under new covenant. Instead, we regularly do "communion" as Jesus instructed in Luke 22:19-20:- "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'"

The idea is, just like via Passover feast Israelites under old covenant commemorated their liberation from Egyptians. We now commemorate our freedom from doomed bondage of sin because of Christ sacrifice via "communion".

Also, I believe, Jesus will return and transform the Passover feast into the messianic banquet as indicated in Luke 22:16.


(6): Unleavened bread represents righteous life (https://www.gotquestions.org/unleavened-bread.html)

(7): "being ready" as in Exodus 12:11 ("This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover") :- I believe this would translate to the fact we are to be live as we are "ready" as brides for return of Jesus anytime - Luke 12:35-48 (also Matthew 24:42-46 , Matthew 25:13).

Also I believe, particularly, "haste" represents "urgency" with which we are to live in anticipation of Christ returning any time. Jesus warns in Matthew 24:37-39: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking… until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away.” Colossians 4:5 says: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time”. John 9:4 says: "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work". 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 says: "This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. ". Jesus implied urgency in John 4:35-35:- “'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest'".

(8) Consecration of firstborns (Exodus 13):-

Corinthians 6:20 says "you were bought at a price.". Because of what Christ did on cross, those who receive salvation from Christ are said to be "bought at a price". They now fully belong to God.

So now under new covenant, not just firstborn Christians but all Christians fully belong to God. In Exodus 13, firstborns can be redeemed back from the Lord, but Christians cannot be :)


  • Why does God make such a big deal about remembering this Passover event in Exodus 12?

Remember what they went through for last many decades ...

In those times, you need to remember how in the past God has been faithful ...


  • God gives seemingly harsh commandments, as part of annual Passover celebration, such as "whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. " (Exodus 12:14). Does this mean God is dictatorial?

There are times, we may not understand why God is doing what He does. In those times, we can still keep trusting God for His goodness. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”


  • So, why do we Christians not celebrate Passover (along with all it's mandatory ritualistic steps) ever year, anymore? (I believe there are great benefits in ritualistically celebrating all steps of Passover every year. One being - it helped remember the great faithfulness of God and who God really is - Else we humans are not good at remembering)

It could be because we are now living in the "last days", living with a sense of "urgency", waiting in anticipation that Christ may return anytime and take us away as His bride. Maybe God wants us to rather spend our limited time, in these "last days", partaking in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). From here, we look forward to the ONE "ultimate" feast which is to come after Christ returns and is known as the "The Great Banquet"!


  • Any more encouragements / spiritual lessons from these passages?

As Christians, we should never forget that an all powerful God, who is in control of all things, is always protecting us. No matter how scary circumstances can get, we need not fear any body or any circumstance except for God.


MISC

  • Passover is like independence day.
  • I believe each step of Passover laid down here by God here has meaning and purpose. So, some more questions:-
    • Why was sacrificed lamb need to be eaten roasted and not boiled or raw? (Exodus 12:9) (open ended?)
    • Why any leftover meat needed to be burned by morning? (Exodus 12:10)) (open ended?)