First God told Moses and
Aaron about the time of the Passover. This feast was to mark a new age in
the history of Israel (the first month, the first month of your year).
Though the events in this chapter occurred in the seventh month according to
the civil year (which began in September-October) this is the first month in
Israel’s religious calendar. This month is called Abib (lit., “fresh young ears” of, e.g.,
barley). This was when barley was to be harvested (March-April). With a new
calendar the Israelites were to receive a new identity as the favored people of
the true God.[2]
2. Exodus 12:3; Tell the
whole community of Israel
The phrase the whole
community of Israel (cf. v. 6) is used here
for the first time in the Old Testament to refer to the nation.[3]
3. Exodus 12:7-8; Then they are
to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of
the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to
eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made
without yeast.[4]
The blood of the animals was to be placed on the doorframes
of the houses, the animal meat roasted, and the people were to eat
it with bitter herbs and bread . . . without yeast. The slaying of
the animals (instead of the Israelites’ firstborn sons, v. 13) and the sprinkling of
blood can be compared to the death of Christ. He is “our Passover Lamb” (1 Cor.
5:7; Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a
new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has
been sacrificed. [5]),
“a Lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19;
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [6]).
Christ’s own sacrifice is the means whereby individual believers escape the
horrors of spiritual death.[7]
Bitter herbs (probably
endive, chicory, dandelions) symbolized sorrow or grief for past sin, and the
Israelites’ bitter experience of oppression in Egypt. The bread without yeast
symbolized their leaving in quickly (Ex. 12:11,
39; Deut. 16:3).
The meat was to be roasted, not eaten raw as some pagans did. The
people were to eat the entire meal quickly while dressed ready for travel (on
the cloak tucked into the belt, see comments on “Brace yourself
like a man,” Job 38:3; 40:7).[8]
4. Exodus 12:14-15; “This is
a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate
it as a festival to the Lord—a
lasting ordinance. 15 For seven days you are to eat bread made
without yeast. [9]
The Feast of Unleavened
Bread is a national celebration of
Israel’s redemption from Egypt. The Passover and the Unleavened Bread feasts
were so closely connected that the two were often considered as one feast (cf. Luke 2:41; 22:1; Acts 21:3-4,
and see comments on Luke 22:7-38; John 19:14). The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be for
seven days (Ex. 13:6-7), from the 15th to
the 21st of the month (Lev. 23:6; Num. 28:17). Of course no bread with yeast (leaven)
was to be eaten on the Passover either (Ex. 12:8).
Homes were to be cleansed of yeast (vv.
15-16), a symbol of sin (1 Cor. 5:8; Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the
old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast,
the bread of sincerity and truth. [10]).
The absence of yeast suggested that those who were under the safety of shed
blood were free from the corruption of sin before a holy God.[11]
5. The final stroke against Egypt was the death
of each firstborn. Following God’s instructions, Moses moved the Israelites to
hurried preparation.
The
full significance of this event waited the coming of Christ. His death on
Calvary took place as the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world.
6. Here is what we learn.
*
A Relationship with God is a life or death issue. Only those who have a relationship with God will be
exempted from death.
*
Redemption brings freedom at the cost of death. Breaking the bondage of Egypt was not accomplished
until the death penalty had been imposed. Israel’s freedom was costly. Our freedom did not come until the death of
Christ on the cross.
*
Release from the death penalty is accomplished by sacrifice. Somehow the blood of the sacrificial lamb covered and
protected the household of the believing Jew. Paul would see in sacrifice
the necessity for Jesus’ death. “Without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22).
* Rememberence. The importance of this first Passover is underlined
by the divine demand that every year, without fail, the Passover experience be
reenacted. Each year for seven days God’s people were to commemorate their
deliverance.[12] We remember Christ and our own Passover of
death when we take Communion. And we
proclaim His death every week to the world, so it will never be forgotten.
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 12:2
[2] Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B.
; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL :
Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:126
[3] Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B.
; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL :
Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:126
[4] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 12:7-8
[5] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Co 5:7
[6] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Pe 1:19
[7] Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B.
; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL :
Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:127-128
[8] Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B.
; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL :
Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:127-128
[9] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ex 12:14-15
[10] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed.
Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Co 5:8
[11] Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B.
; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL :
Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:127-128
[12] Richards, Larry ; Richards,
Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S.
85
