The Institution of the Passover

Exodus 12 is a pivotal chapter in the Bible, detailing the institution of the Passover, a significant event that marks the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This chapter not only sets the stage for their exodus but also establishes a lasting ordinance for Israel to remember God’s salvation.

The Passover Instructions

• Selection of the Lamb: On the tenth day of the first month, each Israelite household is to select a year-old lamb without defect. If a household is too small to consume a whole lamb, they are to share with their nearest neighbor based on the number of people and how much each can eat (Exodus 12:3-4).
• Preparation and Consumption: The lamb is to be slaughtered at twilight on the fourteenth day. Its blood should be applied to the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. The meat is to be roasted over the fire and eaten with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast (Exodus 12:6-8).

The Significance of the Blood

• Protection Through the Blood: The blood on the houses where the Israelites are staying will signify to the Lord to pass over these homes during the plague of the firstborn, thus sparing them from death (Exodus 12:12-13).

The Plague of the Firstborn

The Final Judgment on Egypt

• Death of the Firstborn: At midnight, the Lord strikes down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner, and the firstborn of all livestock as well. This leads to great mourning throughout Egypt (Exodus 12:29-30).
• Pharaoh’s Surrender: Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron during the night, urging them to leave Egypt with the Israelites, their flocks, herds, and blessings (Exodus 12:31-32).

The Exodus from Egypt

Departure of the Israelites

• The Exodus Begins: The Israelites leave in haste, taking their dough before it has leavened and carrying away silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians, as the Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward them (Exodus 12:33-36).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Symbolism

• The Lamb of God: The Passover lamb is a profound type of Christ, who is called the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” in the New Testament. Just as the lamb’s blood saved the Israelites, Christ’s blood saves believers from the eternal consequences of sin (John 1:29).
• Ultimate Deliverance: The deliverance of the Israelites from physical slavery in Egypt prefigures the spiritual deliverance Christ provides from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

Divine Love and Its Implications

• God’s Provision and Salvation: The detailed instructions for the Passover meal, the care in selecting the lamb, and the communal aspects of the celebration highlight God’s provision and His plan for communal salvation.
• Covenant Relationship: The Passover establishes a perpetual observance, meant to remind the Israelites of God’s deliverance and His covenant relationship with them, reflecting God’s ongoing desire for a relationship with His people.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Exodus 12 Still Matters Today

• Remembering God’s Deliverance: The annual observance of Passover encourages believers to remember and celebrate God’s past acts of salvation, fostering a spirit of gratitude and continued faithfulness.
• The Power of Sacrificial Love: The symbolism of the Passover lamb provides a deep insight into the nature of Christ’s sacrifice, offering a model of selfless love and redemption that has practical implications for how believers are called to live.
• Unity and Community: The communal aspects of the Passover meal underscore the importance of community and shared faith experiences in strengthening collective identity and spiritual bonds.

Exodus 12 is foundational for understanding the nature of biblical salvation history, showcasing God’s mighty acts of judgment and deliverance, and setting a pattern of redemption that resonates through Christian theology and the celebration of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.