Exodus 12
-The Passover is initiated with its ordinances for the
children of Israel and all who will become circumcised under the covenant. This
becomes the beginning of months for the Jewish nation and sets the course for
their national identity. It is to be a perpetual celebration and ordinance
throughout their generations commemorating the work that the LORD did in bringing
them out of slavery by His mighty right Hand. The firstborns of all the
Egyptians and their beasts (livestock) were struck down dead and a mighty
wailing cry arose in the land. The Hebrews were ushered out immediately with
the favor, gold, silver, and clothing of their oppressors. “Thus they plundered
the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36b).”
-*Application* A hermeneutical device used here for many
interpreters is typology. What is history and observable in the Hebrew people
is a “type,” which helps us understand a deeper spiritual meaning in our own
experience with the LORD. The land of Egypt would represent our natural state,
which is in disobedience and sin before the LORD and estranged from Him in
bondage (slavery). Our release comes when we groan for God and His deliverance
from this bondage (Exodus 2:23-24). God hears us and has mercy on us to come
and save through His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Passover; see
the types here depicted in Exodus as a pointing, or perhaps we shall say a
tutor (teacher, educator) to help us understand better the work of Christ
(Galatians 3:24-25). He is the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29) who was killed
for our transgressions in a substitutionary atonement so that the LORD will “Passover”
our sins and iniquities. The blood which was applied represents the shed blood
of Jesus on the cross. The shape of the lintel and two doorposts where the
blood was to be applied forms the shape of a cross. Anyone who was under the
blood was safe from the death angel. This applied not just to the Jews, but
anyone who would apply the blood. God made no distinction here; it was open for
all. These were under His blessing and were released from death. Salvation was
theirs and they were freed from their bondage. A release was given. In future
chapters the Christian walk is further defined in this typology hermeneutic.
Read on!
-430 years to the day when they arrived in Egypt, the
children of Israel left with all the hosts of the LORD. God had come through
big time and the slaves were finally set free. But, this is only the beginning
as the 600,000 men (not including children and probably women) ventured away
from their captivity. They went out with rejoicing seeing the awesome and
mighty Hand of the LORD with all they owned plus their plunder, but the adventure
was just beginning.
Verse to Memorize:
Exodus 12:12
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