Exodus 12:1-20

True redemption puts us in a situation whereby we can serve and obey the L-rd. This chapter lays out principles of redemption.

v1: The people have been in Egypt (a typology of the world, and means affliction, stress, pain, troubles, hardships) for 430 years -waiting and crying out for this moment. G-d knew they were there, and He heard their cries for rescue. They were in exile because of sin. G-d was going to redeem and bring them out from that.

Note: Redemption removes the consequence of sin from a heavenly standpoint, but not necessarily from an earthly standpoint (often there are still consequences -fine/jail etc- while still on earth)

v2: This month: Called “Aviv”. Aviv falls in the spring, and it is also the month in which Passover is celebrated (the Babylonians later called this month “Nisan”)

v3: The congregation: This is a unique term -not used up to this point. It is a word used in the context of redemption. Congregation has to do with being a “witness” or “one who bears testimony”. When we experience redemption, it transforms us into someone who can testify or bear witness of who G-d is and what His purpose, plan or will is.

· Another principle – Passover involves a lamb. There is no redemption without the lamb (John 1:29). Redemption deals with our problem of sin so that we can do the will of G-d.

v4: If the household was too small to eat a whole lamb they joined their closest in proximity (not necessarily favourite) neighbour for the meal.

v5: Either a lamb from the sheep or from the goats was acceptable for this sacrifice – as long as it was without fault (this is the change that G-d is wanting to bring about in our lives through redemption) and was 1 year (derived from the word “change”) old.

v6: Keep it – guard it (for four days).

· Kill it – the Hebrew word refers to ritualistic slaughter (ie in an acceptable way)

· Twilight – afternoon – at the end of the Hebrew day(unlike us, a Hebrew day goes from evening to morning), but before the sun goes down.

v7: Blood is VERY important in Redemption. This blood was to be placed on the home where the meal was going to be eaten. The death and eating of the lamb was important – but it was (is) extremely important to deal correctly with the blood of the lamb. If the blood wasn’t dealt with correctly then the entire sacrifice of the lamb was meaningless.

v8: Night – they couldn’t eat the meal at twilight. The sun had to have set (complete darkness) when they partook of it (Isaiah 9:2). It also had to be prepared and eaten very specifically – unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

v9-10: The entire lamb had to be totally consumed and none of it was allowed to be left over or eaten as a snack later on.

v11: Partaking of that Passover sacrifice was a necessary part of redemption – we receive sustenance from the lamb.

· Belt on waist (loins girded) – has to do with a servant. His garments were arranged in such a way so that he was ready for his work.

· Sandals on feet – ready to go.

· Staff shows authority/commissioned by G-d.

v12: Every G-d of the Egyptians – G-d also executes judgement on the idols and demons (He defeats our enemies- 1 Peter 5:8)

· I am the L-rd – G-d seals His promise with His name.

v13: If the blood was not utilized as a sign people in that house were going to die. G-d didn’t look at the dead carcass. He had to see the blood. The animal died for the main purpose of its blood. The emphasis is not on the death of the Lamb, the emphasis is on the blood of the Lamb.

· Plague – a striking of the destroyer.

v15: Unleavened bread – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (kindness, righteousness, holiness etc all reflect a redemptive experience)

v16: Holy convocation – a sacred assembly.

v17: Observe – Keep or guard

· Brought your armies out – a change/transformation has occurred in these people. Through redemption we become a soldier of the L-rd, and he brings us out of the land of Egypt (out of the world)

v19: Cleaning the house of any yeast/leaven on a yearly basis is a good way to remember that we need to take stock of our lives and rid ourselves of those things that are not pleasing to G-d (Ephesians 4:31). We need to bring ourselves under the authority of Scripture.

Yeshua, the Lamb of G-d, who knew no sin (a picture of unleavened bread) partook of that bitter wine on the cross – the perfect lamb, the sinless lamb, the bitter herbs – all three elements came together on the cross. And then Yeshua said, “It is finished.”