Exodus 12 tells of the exciting story of the Passover. The Passover occurred after Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh nine times, each followed by plagues. However, he still would not free Israel. With each plague there was a hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. So God warned that he would take the life of every first born in Egypt. This plague would have taken every firstborn of the Israelites as well had they not killed the lamb, which protected them by its blood as a payment of their debt. It was not enough for the lamb to be killed. The blood had to be applied to every household - over the doorway.

• The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13, ESV

After they killed the lamb, God instructed them to feast. Salvation came first, then feeding, fellowship, worship, walk, and service.

This is one of the clearest examples in the Old Testament about our salvation through faith in the shed of blood of Jesus Christ. This is the basis for calling Christ the “Lamb of God, Christ our Passover” and the many references in the New Testament to his crucifixion.

• Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7, ESV

The Passover is the most important event in Exodus. The people of Israel probably didn’t know the significance of their feast before they left Egypt, but they obeyed and trusted God.

Godspeed.