Instruction for the Passover
Exo 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, Exo 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Deu 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
The deliverance of God's chosen nation from Egypt would be memorialized by a new calendar. The month of Nisan, also called Abib, was from March-April. The "first month" of the Jewish calendar is the month of Nissan, in the spring, when Passover occurs. However, the Jewish New Year is in Tishri, the seventh month, and that is when the year number is increased. Our Western "Christian" calendar year began in 1582, by order of Pope Gregory. It approximated the year the Lord's birth as the first year. The calendar was designed by Italian doctor, astronomer and philosopher Luigi Lilio (also known as Aloysius Lilius). Most of the world uses the Gregorian calendar. The Hebrew calendar day begins at sundown, as in Genesis. The Hebrew calendar has calculations for the feast days.
Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Exo 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
The lamb was to be either a sheep or a goat. The Hebrew word "seh", referred to the young of a sheep or a goat. The lamb would be cared for for four days, being a part of the family, like a precious pet. The sacrifice would have deeper meaning if it were cared for. The world has little regard for the sacrifice of Jesus, but to the saved it was of great importance, for Jesus is most cherished and loved.
Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
A lamb was to be selected, without spot or blemish, to be sacrificed for the deliverance of the Hebrews. It was to be taken on the fourteenth day of the month as a perpetual yearly memorial. The sacrifice was to be in the evening. This was to be a yearly reminder until and after the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, for our deliverance from sin and the devil.
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
The blood of the sacrificial lamb had to be applied to the entrance of their dwelling; the side posts and the upper door post. Blood shed on the posts as it would be shed on the cross at Calvary, by the Lamb of God. Blood applied to the entrance is symbolic of blood applied to the entrance of our heart. A purifying of sin and a protection from the devil. The blood and the Holy Spirit are greater than all the world that opposes him in you.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
After Jesus enters into our heart, we may enter into the presence of the throne of God, by prayer.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
The communion service is symbolic of eating the sacrifice, to take it within, to be in communion with the Lord. The Hebrews were to eat the sacrificial lamb, all of it. That which was leftover was to be burned. Jesus should fill us up with his righteousness, all that remains of sin is to be burned away by the fire of God.
Exo 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
Purified by fire, and fire was the judgment for sin. The lamb shall by roasted in it's completeness. Unleavened, (sinless) bread would be served with bitter herbs, the symbols of the bitterness of slavery.
Exo 12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
Exo 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
The Passover was to be eaten in haste, with expectation of the command to move out and to flee the Egyptian bondage of slavery. Similarly, the Christian is to be ready always for the Lord's return.
Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
The death angel would pass over the Hebrews who had the blood applied but death would come to the firstborn of Egypt, these were consecrated to their gods. So it was a judgment on the Egyptians and their gods. Pharaoh himself, was thought to be a god. The LORD God of Israel is God Almighty.
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
When I see the blood, I shall pass over you.
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Unleavened bread was to be eaten for seven days. Leaven was a symbol of sin, that permeates. Sin has permeated our nation, but the blood of Christ is the purifier. All who come under it shall be saved from the wrath of God.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Exo 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
A Holy Convocation, a sacred calling together from labor for reading and worship.
Exo 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
The host of people were armies, for there would be battles to fight. The commander of the LORD's army is the LORD of hosts.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
Exo 12:20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
Eat no leaven, in other words, put away sins from you.
1Co 5:7 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:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Participation in the Passover
Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
Exo 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Hyssop is a blue flowered plant used for medicinal purposes and ceremonial cleansing.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
The blood of the lamb brought salvation. The blood of Jesus brought our salvation to us. He is our redeemer, we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Exo 12:24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
Jesus had a last passover supper before becoming the Passover Lamb of God, securing a New Covenant in his blood. His sacrifice was good for then and for us forever.
Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Exo 12:25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
Exo 12:26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
Exo 12:27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
Exo 12:28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
By faith the Hebrews went away and did as Moses had commanded. If there were rebels, they perished in their disobedience. There is a way of salvation and it is only entered into by faith.
The final plague of Egypt and the redemption of Israel
Exo 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
The plague was against the Egyptian god of life, Osiris and against the Pharaoh who considered himself a god.
Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
The LORD had to break Pharaoh's hard heart to get him to obey.
Exo 12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
Exo 12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
Pharaoh commands Moses to go with all the Hebrews, their cattle and possessions. Pharaoh finally realized that the God of Israel is greater and he even asked for him to bless him.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Exo 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
Exo 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
They left with unleavened bread and with the silver and gold and clothing "borrowed", they asked for it from the Egyptians. They spoiled and looted the Egyptians before they departed from Egyptian bondage. Some say that this was back pay for years of slave labor.
Israel leaves Egypt
Psa 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed; For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
Exo 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
It is estimated that counting women and children that there were 1.5 to 2 million people who were leaving Egypt.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
The mixed multitude were other slaves from Egypt who were not Hebrews but were following their customs.
Exo 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
Exo 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exo 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
The LORD gave Abraham a vision that his people would dwell in Egypt 400 years.
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14 and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years.
Act 7:7 And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
Exo 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
God wanted to memorialize this deliverance from Egypt. God's people are to be separated out of the world (Egypt) and be the people of faith in their God.
Deu 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto Jehovah thy God; for in the month of Abib Jehovah thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Regulations for Passover
Exo 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
Exo 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
Exo 12:45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
Only those who were of the Hebrews, by birth or by circumcision and conversion, were allowed to partake of the Passover.
Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
Passover was to be celebrated as a family. Each family was to observe the Passover. This way all are taught the meaning of the deliverance. The family is the structure to pass on the values of a people. This is why America is in trouble, because families are being attacked and broken, with the values of our nation being undermined.
Not a bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken. This is important, for no bones were broken in Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Psa 22:17 I may count all my bones; They look and stare upon me.
Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Joh 19:32 The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:
Joh 19:33 but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Joh 19:34 howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.
Joh 19:35 And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.
Joh 19:36 For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic covenant. The uncircumcised were not in the covenant and they could not partake of the Passover, being unclean. This was an outward ceremonial uncleanness. The Covenant of Moses had not yet been given. The sign of the Mosaic covenant was to be the keeping of the Sabbath. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God is the Passover Lamb that was slain to make us pure. This new covenant in his blood is received by faith in his finished work and it is for all who trust in him. In Christ our sins are forgiven and we receive his righteousness.
1Co 5:7 Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:
1Co 5:8 wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Exo 12:50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
Exo 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
The children of Israel were few entering Egypt, 430 years before. Now they leave, not as slaves of Egypt, but as a great nation. As a nation they would have to learn to trust and to obey their God who delivered them. Some are content to be slaves of a nation, the free rely on God and live by faith. Are you a slave or a free person? I am a willing bond slave to Jesus Christ and also an adopted son of God. Israel was on a journey, but satan does not give up easily. They will face many battles as the army of God that required a true faith in the Living God. The new converts of Christ will also be attacked and persecuted , but we have the Lord with us to overcome, for he has overcome satan and death. His promises to us are sure. Onward soldiers of God to the Promised land.
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