The Advent of Easter, Part XIX by Pamela Christian—Copyright © 2019
It’s imperative we understand the tremendous significance the original Passover has for us today.
The Passover, as recorded in the book of Exodus, is profound confirmation of God’s promise given to Adam and Eve—the first man and woman representing all of humanity for all time—in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 records God’s promise for a Redeemer/Deliverer to provide a way of escape from our natural-born sin condition, allowing those who receive God’s promise by faith to be eternally restored to Him. (For more on God’s promise of redemption, read March 8-9 post).
In the Old Testament, Egypt symbolically represents sin, or man’s rejection of God. The Hebrew people are God’s chosen people among whom God displays His power and desire for all humanity. The Hebrews were slaves to Egypt, representing humanity’s natural-born enslavement to sin and rejection of God. Pharaoh and his army represent Satan and his minions. Moses is a foreshadow of the true Promised Deliverer, Jesus.
Through the account of the Hebrews enslavement and ultimate freedom, God displays in the natural, what He will do in the spiritual.
God instructs Moses to tell the people, on the 10th of the then present month, which God established to become the first month of the Hebrew calendar (Nissan), to take an unblemished lamb—one lamb for a household or households according to the numbers of people so the lamb will be fully consumed. The lamb must be a year-old male. This lamb is to be kept until the 14th of the month when the whole assembly of the people shall kill their respective lambs for the evening meal.
The blood of this lamb was to be smeared on the doorposts of their homes where they would eat their meal. They were instructed to eat the meal with their belt fastened, sandals on their feet, and their staff in hand. Further, they were instructed to eat in haste. And God instructed Moses to have the people understand “It is the Lord’s Passover.”
The 10th of Nissan is therefore known as the Day of Preparation specifically for the Passover, which is in addition to the day of preparation for the weekly sabbath. At midnight, on the 14th of Nissan, the Lord’s judgment upon Pharaoh was ordered, and carried out, as the tenth plague against Pharaoh.
The blood on the doorposts of the obedient Hebrews was a sign to the death angel to pass over that household and move on to those homes without the blood of the lamb, where the firstborn male of the home would be slain.
With God’s people observing the Passover meal, dressed specifically as He instructed, they were ready to immediately gather their things to leave Egypt. This sudden departure is known as the Exodus. The Egyptians were so fearful of what would happen to them next if they did not release God’s people, that when the Hebrews asked for provisions the Egyptians readily gave them silver, gold, jewelry and clothing; and thus the Hebrews plundered the Egyptians.
The Passover represents how eternal death passes over each and every person who places their faith in God’s Word—His Promise—His Deliverer, who ultimately was revealed in the person of Jesus. For this reason, God instructs Moses that His people are to commemorate the Passover with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, each year following, over a seven-day period. In the Bible, leaven represents sin—which is the rejection of God and His ways.
The Hebrews did not know at the time of Moses’ instruction, that the Passover meal would be the last event they would experience in their land of captivity. Those who obeyed God, placing the blood of the lamb on their door posts and being properly attired, escaped escaped death and judgment. Based on what God had Moses instruct His people, they did not know once the death angel passed over their house, they would be fully released from captivity, with abundant provisions, with their route of escape fully provided before them by God that would take them to their land—the Promised Land of God.
In a profound similar manner, those of us today who place our faith in Jesus—who eat the Lamb of God, the Promised Deliverer—demonstrate our willingness to be obedient to God. This faith means we are spiritually dressed and supplied with more than what we need, to escape the way of sin and enter the Promised Land.
Everything done in the natural is intended by God to reveal the spiritual. Additionally, we must understand the promises of God are not merely for the future, but intended for us to enjoy on earth now. By faith and obedience, we can experience God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s simply a matter of believing in Jesus and receiving all He offers. What is your response?
The next post we’ll delve into a proper understanding of Jesus’ Last Supper.
For April 11-12, 2019 read and meditate on the following Scriptures:
Exodus chapters 12-15; Psalm 27:12-14.
Scroll down below to access earlier posts in this series. To view the entire list of planned devotions, see the Introduction.
For author bio and schedule of posts for The Advent of Easter click here.
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