Day 6: God Delivers His People - The Institution of the Passover

Let us turn to Exodus 12:1-30, a passage that marks one of the most significant moments in Scripture: the institution of the Passover. This event is not only a story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt but also a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb.

The Passover: A Sign of God’s Redemption

As the chapter opens, God speaks to Moses and Aaron, giving detailed instructions for a new beginning. In Exodus 12:2, He says, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months.” The institution of the Passover marked the start of a new calendar, signifying that Israel’s redemption was a turning point in their history.

1. The Selection of the Lamb (Exodus 12:3–6):

• Each household was to select a lamb, a year-old male without blemish.

• The lamb would be kept until the fourteenth day of the month, emphasizing its value and significance.

• This lamb points to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was without sin and offered Himself willingly for us.

2. The Blood as Protection (Exodus 12:7, 13):

• The Israelites were instructed to take the lamb’s blood and spread it on the doorposts and lintel of their homes.

• God declared, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you” (v. 13).

• This blood symbolized protection from judgment and the covenant between God and His people.

3. The Passover Meal (Exodus 12:8–11):

• The lamb was to be roasted and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

• The unleavened bread symbolized haste, as there was no time to let the bread rise before their deliverance.

• The bitter herbs reminded them of the bitterness of their slavery in Egypt.

• They were to eat in a posture of readiness, with their belts fastened and sandals on, prepared to leave Egypt at God’s command.

4. God’s Judgment and Deliverance (Exodus 12:29–30):

• At midnight, the Lord struck down the firstborn in every Egyptian household.

• In contrast, the homes marked with the blood of the lamb were spared, demonstrating God’s mercy and faithfulness to His promise.

This event was not just a moment of deliverance but a declaration of God’s power and sovereignty. It was a reminder that salvation comes through obedience and faith in God’s Word.

Themes and Reflections

The Passover was a sign of God’s redemption, both for Israel and for all who trust in Him. The blood of the lamb, spread on the doorposts, was not just a physical act but a spiritual declaration of trust in God’s promise.

For us, the Passover foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from judgment, the blood of Christ shields us from the penalty of sin. His sacrifice brings us out of the slavery of sin and into the freedom of salvation.

Application

This passage challenges us to reflect on how we remember and honor God’s deliverance in our lives.

• How does the story of the Passover deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice?

• What tangible ways can you remember and celebrate God’s redemption in your own

life?

The Israelites were commanded to observe the Passover annually as a memorial of their deliverance. Similarly, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a way for believers to remember His sacrifice. When we partake of communion, we declare, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed,” and we proclaim His death until He comes again.

Closing Challenge

This week, take time to reflect on God’s deliverance in your life - both the ultimate deliverance through Jesus and the daily ways He works to set you free. Consider journaling moments of redemption and sharing them with others to encourage faith and gratitude.

Finally, as we partake of communion, let us approach it with reverence, remembering that we are saved not by our works but by the blood of the Lamb.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. Thank You for delivering us from sin and death through His blood. Help us to live in gratitude for Your redemption and to remember Your faithfulness in every season of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.