The Struggle to Victory

 “So God heard their groaning, and God remembered. . . And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” – Exodus 2:24-25

 

Are you struggling? Is there some sin or situation that is enslaving you? Are you doing your best to accomplish unreasonable demands only to be hindered further by diminished resources? Are you crying out to God, but it just doesn’t seem like He’s hearing you? Do you even believe in God? If these are questions you’re asking, this time of year when we celebrate the Passover and its climactic fulfillment, hold a solution to your struggles.

The Exodus account begins with an enslaved people crying out to God from under unjust bigoted oppression. The people of Israel groaned under the burden of their tyrannical ruler Pharoah. It seemed hopeless. They were at the end of themselves. Despair, hopelessness, was heavier than their hard labor. But then the Bible says:

Exodus 2:23-25 – “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. ²⁴ So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. ²⁵ And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.”

Sometimes victory comes instantly, but not always. I would venture to say victory most commonly involves struggle. That’s just the way life is. A woman is pregnant for nine months, then goes into labor, and then the baby is born. Education takes years, then finals, then graduation. We work for years, then retirement (hopefully). We get sick, seek treatment, sometimes for years, then we are healed, or we go home to hopefully be with the LORD. Yes, life is often characterized by struggles.

Peter said it is in the struggles of life that our faith is tested and proven to be genuine (1 Peter 1:6-9). Paul said it was in the “fellowship of His sufferings” that we really get to know Jesus (Philippians 3:10). Peter concluded that, “Though now you do not see Him [that is Jesus], yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Life is filled with struggles, but we are exhorted to endure, because in the end, there is a harvest to reap. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). When the struggle and burdens of life bog us down, burden us heavily, we need to remember, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  Don’t give up. Though you may be struggling, struggle through to victory.

“And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” You may be in a struggle with someone oppressing you, a narcissist, an abuser, an enslaver. God is watching. God hears your groans, your Spirit groaned prayers. God has a liberating answer for your captive situation. Just don’t give up. Struggle through to victory. Look for the Lord’s exodus and liberation, His deliverance. “The Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit will guide and sustain you through His Red Sea road.

“And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” God is watching. He’s watching our situation presently in our country. God hears our prayers. Remember that. It took ten plagues to get Pharoah to submit and to secure the liberation of God’s people. Sometimes corruption is so entrenched that it takes a prolonged struggle to extricate it. Those profiting from corruption resist the heaven-sent “Department of Government Efficiency.” Despite the writing being on the wall, clear as day, there are those who persist in trying to put lipstick on the pig of political abuse and self-profit. It’s painful to lance a wound and drain the poison, but in the end, there is healing. This is the way of life.

The LORD called Moses to go to Egypt, and demand the release of God’s people, so that they could worship Him (Exodus 3-4). But Pharoah resisted. He was obstinate, defiant, entrenched, arrogant, and resistant to any thought of letting God’s people go. Did Moses give up? No he did not. And God used that persistence to liberate His people. God used plagues to press down and force the air out of Pharoah’s bulbous balloon of pride.

The Exodus is not so much about two people’s warring as it was the One True God making it clear that He was THE One True God. The first 9 plagues had decimated Egypt economically, emotionally and shaken their pagan religious system to its roots. Now one final plague would be brought by God to settle the issue of Who was the supreme God. This final plague would make a statement “against all the gods of Egypt” (12:12). Meskhenet the goddess who oversaw the birth of children, Hathor who also oversaw the birth of children, Min the god of procreation, Isis the goddess of fertility, Selket the guardian of life, and Renenutet the cobra-goddess, the embodiment of motherhood and nursing children who was the guardian of Pharaoh, all these gods were helpless to stop this tenth plague against the firstborn. This last plague was an undeniable, in your face statement from the LORD to the Egyptians about who was the greatest God.

This final plague would serve to devastate Egyptian society since the firstborn child in this society was the legal and emotional heir. The death of the firstborn struck a dagger into the future of Egypt. This historical event in Israel’s history is mentioned over and over again in the Bible (e.g. Psalm 78:44-51; 105:28-36; Hebrews 11:28). God was making a statement for all time, to all would be challengers. God doesn’t waste the means to an end. He uses the means to an end to communicate. Don’t get caught up alone in the idea that some victories involve a struggle. There’s more going on in the battle than sometimes meets the eye.

The New Testament includes the account of a woman who was afflicted with a “flow of blood” for twelve years until she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed (Matthew 9:20-22). The account of Luke the doctor adds that this woman had spent all her livelihood on physicians and none of them could heal her (Luke 8:43). Think of the frustration, the agony, the desperation of this woman. Nothing in this world could meet her needs. Technology and science didn’t have the answers. Then the Lord spoke to her heart. “For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’” (Matthew 9:12). God put that thought in her heart. Sometimes God allows us to exhaust conventional human resources so as to set up a revelation of His greater power and miraculous capability. He can work through human means, but sometimes He chooses not to in order to convey a greater message.

When the afflicted woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was healed. In the midst of a crowd Jesus’ attention focused on this individual. You may feel as though you are lost in a crowd, but Jesus knows you are there. He is paying particular attention to you. The Bible says God’s thoughts toward us are as numerous as the sand (Psalm 139:17-18). God sees your plight and He’s thinking of you. He will lead you to the hem of Jesus’ garment for healing. It may take time and indeed in some cases healing comes through heaven’s gate. But God’s grace will always be sufficient to get you through (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). All we need to do is trust the Lord. “But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” (Matthew 9:22). Trust in the Lord during times of prolonged difficulty. He will be with you (Hebrews 13:5). After struggle, comes victory.

The apostle John spoke of a “sin not leading to death” (1 John 5:16), or a sin that persisted and involved a struggle to overcome. Some sins are deeply rooted in our lives. Some sins are difficult to overcome. Not because of God’s inability to give the victory, but because it takes us time to work through them. But God’s word tells us that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14). The closer we come to Jesus the more clearly we see our sin and the more power we will have to overcome our sin (Romans 6; 1 John 3:6). “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8b). It may take some time, and it may be a struggle, but it will be done.

It took over 400 years of slavery and ten powerful plagues to free God’s people from their bondage. But God did bring them through victoriously and they didn’t come out of Egypt empty handed. You may be in a struggle, a prolonged time of difficulty. Hang on, God will get you through and He’ll bring you through with blessing; you won’t come out of your situation empty handed. That is a major message of the Exodus. Hang on!

What is a “plague” to our enemies is a powerful deliverance for those relying on God. in this season of Passover, crucifixion, and resurrection, it’s a good thing to revisit the Exodus. The memorial day of Passover is rich in prophetic symbolism which points us to the ultimate Passover Lamb, Jesus. What follows is a study of Exodus 11 and 12. It is a study longer than usual. I would suggest you consume it in parts, like a meal, like a Passover meal. May God deliver us from our enemies. May we trust the blood of Jesus to wipe out our sins, to the glory of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

The Finality of this Plague

 Exodus 11:1-3 – And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. ² Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” ³ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

When God signs His Executive Order, there is no judge or king or Pharoah on earth who can resist it. Living in this world is burdensome and complicated with hardship and uncertainties. But one thing that is very certain is God and His word. You can depend on God to fulfill His word. When He says, “Let My people go,” that’s it, that’s the final word, you had better let them go.

The Final Warning about this Plague

Exodus 11:4-7 – ⁴ Then Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; ⁵ and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. ⁶ Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. ⁷ But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’

All the first born from human to beast would die. God has been merciful and patient with Pharaoh. Now the world’s version of god-in-flesh[1] would experience the dreadful deadly consequence of his sin. If we persist in sin, we too will experience not just physical death, but eternal death (Romans 6:23a).

“Then Moses said, . . .” (11:4a). Moses fulfilled his responsibility to give Pharaoh God’s word of warning (11:4a). As God’s representatives we should responsibly share God’s word with the lost around us (2 Chronicles 19:10; Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 3:18; 33:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). We are God’s ambassadors though whom God calls people to repentance and to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). Sometimes we are called upon to rebuke the sinner. Refusal to heed God’s rebuke can lead to literal death (cf. Acts 5).

“About midnight” (11:4b) tells us that we each have a period of grace that God has apportioned to us to accept His call to repent. The only time that is guaranteed us is “NOW.” If God is speaking to you about your need to be saved or area of your life where you need to repent, don’t procrastinate, repent (Psalm 32:6; 69:13; 95:1-11; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Hebrews 4:1-13).

Then it states, “and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die….” (11:5). From the firstborn of Pharaoh to the first born of an Egyptian slave to the firstborn of the animals. God’s judgment is thorough; you can’t escape it. The wheels of justice may grind slowly, but they grind thoroughly even to powder.

“Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt” (11:6). When we resist the command of the LORD the consequence of His judgment is painful (Calamity – Job 21:30; Psalm 50:3; Eternal fire – Matthew 3:12).

“But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (11:7). God makes a distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous. God’s people are secure in Him (Psalm 95:5; 112:7; Romans 5:9; 8:31-39; 1 Peter 3:12-16).

The Final Prediction about Pharaoh and this Plague

 Exodus 11:8-10 – ⁸ And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will go out.” Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. ⁹ But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” ¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Moses concludes by predicting the subjugation of the enslavers to their slaves. (11:8). And this prophecy would indeed come true. It’s interesting that Moses “went out from Pharaoh in great anger” (11:8). Here he is righteously angry. Later in his life he will suffer greatly because of an angry outburst that misrepresented the Lord (Numbers 20). Anger can be righteous and unrighteous. Be angry, but do not sin (cf. Psalm 4:4; 37:8; Ephesians 4:26).

Despite all the plagues God did, Pharaoh did not respond. God hardened his heart as a result of his own obstinance (11:9-10). We cannot force people to repent; some will just not do so. We are called only to proclaim the gospel and leave the increase in God’s hands (1 Corinthians 3:7). All we can do is call sinners to repentance in every nook and cranny of society. That is our responsibility. The response is their responsibility.

The Passover Provision

The Passover is a beautiful illustration of God’s provision for His people. And that provision stretches into the New Testament by way of typological applications to Jesus, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). There were a number of new things introduced by the LORD through the Passover.

A New Beginning

Exodus 12:1-2 – Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ² “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.

This event was to be emphasized in the history of God’s people by making it the start of the year (the month Abib or Nisan which is equivalent to our March/April). They were to start a new calendar based on this event. Time was going to start fresh for the nation. It was also the beginning of the spiritual birth of the nation. They were going to be freed from the bondage of Egypt (a type of the world). Today, we need such a rebirth as a nation. Oh Lord, have mercy, revive us! Rebirth us!

A New Unity

 Exodus 12:3-4 – ³ Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. ⁴ And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb.

 “All the congregation of Israel” (12:3) is used here for the first time. The Passover lamb was to be eaten by “household” and “if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor” share it (12:4). The Passover lamb would bring God’s people together. God is always moving to unite people. Oh Lord, unite us through The Lamb Jesus!

A New Hidden Symbol

Exodus 12:5-7 – ⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. ⁶ Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. ⁷ And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.

The lamb for the Passover sacrifice was to be special, the best, blemishless. It was to be kept “until the fourteenth day of the same month.” In other words you needed to inspect it over time (four days). A spot is an inherited defect the animal was born with. A blemish is an acquired defect such as a scar or broken bone. To inspect the lamb you needed to spend time with it. A lamb is cute and no doubt an attachment to the lamb by family members would develop as the lamb stayed with the family. Having established a relationship with the lamb was important so that when the lamb was killed, the seriousness of the sacrifice would be understood. Jesus was not born in sin, nor did He sin. He was the Lamb without spot or blemish, the sinless One. He was presented to Israel for years in ministry and climactically at the Triumphal entry. Jesus was inspected, rejected, and sacrificed. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of Go din Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). As we draw closer to Jesus and grow in our love for Him, the seriousness of His redemptive sacrifice sinks in more and more.

The blood of the sacrificed lamb was to be put on the two side doorposts and on the lintel or top of the door. When the blood is applied in this fashion it makes the sign of a cross. God passes over our sins because the precious blood of Jesus atones for our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19). Why not put blood on the threshold or bottom of the doorway? Because the blood of the Lamb Jesus typologically is not to be trodden under foot (Hebrews 10:29). When modern woke churches of our day shy away from or refuse to speak of the blood of Jesus, they trample underfoot the atoning element of Jesus’ redemptive work.

A New Urgency

 Exodus 12:8-11⁸ Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹ Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. ¹⁰ You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. ¹¹ And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

 The fire speaks of no turning back as that which is burned cannot be unburned. Once the sacrifice is done, it is done, finished, complete, like the atonement of Jesus (John 19:30). Jesus suffered “once for all” not many times and not in perpetuity through a human church tradition (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).

The unleavened bread speaks of purity and the bitter herbs are a reminder of the bitterness of their bondage. Jesus provided a sinless sacrifice to free the sinner from the bitter bondage of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). He is the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35, 48, 51). His personal relationship with us nourishes us spiritually.

Meals eaten in this culture were normally very casual, laying reclined on pillows on the floor relaxing. But not so with the Passover meal; they were to eat this meal “in haste” because the judgment of God was near. Similarly we are to redeem the time for the Lord is near (Ephesians 5:15-17). Jesus is coming back, not as a Lamb, but as a Groom for His bride, and then as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, as a conquering King (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:7).

A New Protection – The Blood. The Blood. The Blood.

Exodus 12:12-13 – ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. ¹³ Now 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 the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

God’s judgment was coming as sure as “I am the LORD.” The blood was a sign to God to “pass over you” and the firstborn in those homes marked by the blood would not be killed. Wherever God saw the mark of the blood He would spare the firstborn. Similarly God “passed over’ the sins of saints prior to the cross until Jesus actually shed His blood on the cross (Romans 3:21-26). It is by the blood of Jesus that we are cleansed from our sins (1 John 1:7 and 9). The Bible says the following about the blood of Jesus:

1. The blood of Jesus was innocent (Matthew 27:4)
2. The blood of Jesus is necessary for remission of sins (Matthew 26:26-29; Hebrews 9:22-23)
3. The blood of Jesus is the basis of eternal life (John 6:53-56)
4. The blood of Jesus reconciles us to God (Colossians 1:19-23)
5. The blood of Jesus is sufficient (Hebrews 9:13-14)
6. The blood of Jesus is holy not common (Hebrews 10:29-31)
7. The blood of Jesus sanctifies us (Hebrews 13:10-14)
8. The blood of Jesus is precious (1 Peter 1:19)
9. The blood of Jesus cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5)
10. The blood of Jesus is powerful and gives us victory (Revelation 12:11)

Speaking of “the blood” may not be popular in contemporary times, but without the blood there is no gospel or power of God. You cannot talk of Jesus apart from the shedding of His blood.

A New Purity Memorial

Exodus 12:14-28 – ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. ¹⁶ On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you. ¹⁷ So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁸ In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. ¹⁹ For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. ²⁰ You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’ ” ²¹ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. ²² And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. ²³ For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. ²⁴ And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. ²⁵ It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lord will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. ²⁶ And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ ²⁷ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ ” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. ²⁸ Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

This historical event was to be remembered through the establishment of a memorial holy day so that all future generations would remember what God had done for them. The holy time was to be marked by the removal of all leaven from their homes and they were to refrain from eating leavened bread. Leaven is a type of sin in the Bible (1 Corinthians 5:6-8); a type of false teaching (Matthew 16:6, 12); and a type of false doctrine (Galatian 5:1-9). It only takes a small amount of leaven or yeast to cause the dough to rise. Similarly, it only takes a little bit of sin to puff a person up in pride and make them unsuitable for God’s use.

This feast of unleavened bread was to be celebrated for seven days. Seven is the number of completion. The Lord completed creation and rested on the seventh day. Similarly the removal of sin (i.e., leaven) from our lives is to be complete.

Of this meal pastor Chuck Smith comments:

In the Passover there were several necessary ingredients to observe this feast. First of all, there was the cup of the Kiddush, which means sanctification or separation. The head of the family took the cup, and he prayed over it and then he drank of it and then it was shared among the group. The Passover meal itself was . . . [eaten while] reclining on the floor. [T]hey ate, leaning on their left elbow, eating with their right hand. That was the customary way of eating in those days. They did not have dinnerware, they did not have silverware, but they usually ate with their hands. That’s why there was so much washing of the hands. Three times during the Passover feast there would be the washing of the hands. It was carried out only by the person who was to celebrate the feast and three times he had to wash his hands in the prescribed way.

 

Then they would eat a piece of parsley or lettuce endive, which was dipped in a bowl of salt water. It was the appetizer to the meal, but it was also very significant. The bitterness of the parsley or endive was to remind them of the hyssop bush that was used to sprinkle the blood on the doorpost. . . [The] salty water was [symbolic of] the tears that their fathers shed while in slavery in Egypt and of the salty waters of the Red Sea that God divided in order to bring them through.

 

Then there was the breaking of the bread; the meal had three loaves and the middle loaf broken. With the breaking of the bread a couple of prayers were offered. And then the youngest child is to ask the question, “What makes this night different from all nights?” . . . [Then] the eldest male member of the family would rehearse the story of God’s deliverance of their fathers out of Egypt and the Passover of the death angel. And then during the ceremony they would sing at this point Psalm 113 and 114. Now Psalm 113 to 118 are the Hallel psalms, the psalms of praise . . . .

 

. . . [T]hen they would take the second cup, the dinner began with a cup of wine and now is the second cup. It’s called the cup of the Haggadah, which is the explaining or proclaiming, as they had just rehearsed the story. Now all of those who are present wash their hands in preparation for the actual meal and then they say grace, which was “Blessed art Thou O Lord our God who brings forth the fruit of the earth. Blessed art Thou O God who has sanctified us with Thy commandment and enjoined us to eat unleavened cakes. And they would then distribute small portions of the bread.

 

[T]hen they would have these bitter herbs and they were placed between two pieces of unleavened bread and then dipped in the Karosheth, which was a mixture of dates and nuts which was to remind them of the mortar that was used on the bricks during their slavery. It was called the sap. This is what Jesus was referring to, he who dips in the sap with me, in the Karosheth takes at that time these two pieces of bread with the bitter herbs, dips them in the Karosheth, he who dips with me, the same is the one who will betray Me.

 

Pastor Chuck Smith comments further on this passage in Exodus:

So, the Passover was one of the three major feasts that were established by the Jews in the year, in which every male Jew had to come to Jerusalem to present himself before God in the holy convocation, the gathering of the people. The feast of the Passover was the first, the beginning of the new year; gathering together. It was during the Feast of the Passover that Jesus observed the feast with his disciples; a very common practice in the Jewish homes.  But the interesting thing; when Jesus observed the Passover with His disciples, He brought out the true meaning. What was the Passover signifying? It was not just a memorial for what God had done, but it was a sign for what God was going to do; providing a place of safety from judgment through the shed blood of the Lamb, His Son, Jesus Christ.

And so, Jesus, when He observed the Passover with His disciples, when He took the one loaf of unleavened bread and broke it and gave it to His disciple, He said, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of Me.”   — “You’re not to remember anymore God’s deliverance out of Egypt, you’re to remember God’s deliverance out of the bondage of sin that I am bringing to you through my body, which is to be broken for you.”

When He took the cup and gave it to His disciples, He said, “This cup is a new covenant in My blood: which is shed for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you will show my death.”   Not the death of the lamb in Egypt, but now the death of the Lamb of God whereby God has provided a place of safety in that day of judgment.[2]

Whenever we speak of a memorial there is an inherent danger that we dwell on and rely on the past to the neglect of the present. Remembering the past is only worth as much as it affects your present and future. If you dwell in the past and live off past victories causing you to neglect living now, your past actually becomes a hindrance to you. Remember the past as an encouragement for the present but don’t let your memories hinder you moving forward.

The Passover is typical of Jesus’ Sacrifice

 When we look at the Passover we see many typological references to Jesus. Here is a summary of these types that refer to Jesus:

• Jesus = The “Lamb of God” that takes away the sins of the world: Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; Acts 8:32-35; Revelation 5:6, 13; 7:13,14; 15:3
• Jesus = without blemish (John 19:4; 1 Peter 1:18-21)
• Jesus = no bones broken (John 19:31-33,36)
• Jesus = slain at God’s appointed time (Acts 2:23)
• Jesus = His blood cleans us from sin (Matthew 26:27,28; Ephesians 2:13; 1 John 1:7)
• Jesus = The Bred of Life (John 6:41-59) (also compared to manna)
• Jesus = our Passover (John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 5:7)

Jesus is our Passover Lamb, and we are spared the destroyer because His blood is on the doorposts of our hearts!

A New Freedom

Exodus 12:29-36 – ²⁹ And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. ³⁰ So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

³¹ Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. ³² Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”

³³ And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” ³⁴ So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. ³⁵ Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. ³⁶ And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

God’s Passover was an effective means to the redemption of His people. So powerful was Gods’ judgment that the Egyptians begged the people of God to leave for fear of worse happening to them. God gave Israel favor in the sight of her oppressors and she did not leave empty handed but received booty from the Egyptians. This was a kind of payment for the years of slavery and oppression they had experienced in Egypt. God has a way of asserting justice. So it was said “Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” In the end we win with God. In the end, we will plunder the enemy. That is an awesome message of assurance and comfort from the Lord.

A New Promise Fulfilled

Exodus 12:37-49

³⁷ Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. ³⁸ A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. ³⁹ And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

⁴⁰ Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴² It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

⁴³ And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. ⁴⁴ But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. ⁴⁵ A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. ⁴⁶ In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. ⁴⁷ All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. ⁴⁸ And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. ⁴⁹ One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”

 

God fulfilled His promise that had been given to Abraham over 400 years earlier! (Genesis 15:13-14). Two other particulars of this event are noteworthy. It states, “nor shall you break one of its bones” (12:46). This had messianic implications! (John 19:36). Jesus bones were not broken in fulfillment of God’s prophetic statement about Messiah. And it also states, “for no uncircumcised person shall eat of it” (12:48). This is directly related in scripture to the condition of our heart:

• Circumcision of the heart is a sign of removing a stiff-necked attitude – Deuteronomy 10:16
• Circumcision of the heart is a sign of breaking up our areas of hardness – Jeremiah 4:4
• Circumcision of the heart is a sign of true inward spirituality – Romans 2:28-29
• Circumcision as a mere ceremony is not as important as the spiritual truth it symbolizes – Galatians 6:15
• Circumcision of the heart involves worshipping God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Jesus and putting no confidence in the flesh – Philippians 3:3

But there was a dangerous infiltration noted in these verses. “A mixed multitude” accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt (12:38). These were not Jews but hangers on, people impressed, maybe frightened by the power of God but not really committed in heart to God. Later in Israel’s history this mixed multitude will prove to be a thorn in their flesh, a cause for stumbling (e.g., Numbers 11:4). If we have anything but a wholehearted commitment to the Lord it will result in stumbling, falling and pain in our walk with God. There’s a good reason why God calls His people to live holy lives (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16). And there’s a good reason why we are exhorted to mature past a merely carnal or still self-centered Christianity (1 Corinthians 3). Carnal Christians are divisive. That is a discredit to God. Those walking in the Spirit and loving one another, glorify God by their conduct.

A New Faith

Exodus 12:50-51 – ⁵⁰ Thus all the children of Israel did; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ⁵¹ And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies.

It took faith and trust in God to obey and do what the Lord commanded Israel to do. Yes, God had shown nine previous plagues on the Egyptians, but still, to obey God, and follow the Passover instructions, and apply the blood, and trust that God would judge the Egyptians, and pass over the blood marked doorways of Israel, took faith! Whenever God does a work He works in a way that instills and builds faith in His people, faith in Him. Without faith it is impossible to please God because we must believe that He exists and that He rewards or follows through on those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

A Passover Picture of Jesus the Lamb of God

When Jesus is announced by John the Baptist in the Gospel He is announced as “The Lamb of God that comes to take away the sins of the world” (John 2:29). The Passover is rich in prophetic signs that point to Jesus as God’s Sacrificial Lamb. There are five typological pictures of Jesus we can see in the Passover. They are:

1. The Lamb without blemish – Just as the Passover lamb was tested by keeping it for four days (12:5-6), so too Jesus was tested as He lived a public life under the hostile scrutiny of His enemies (Luke 11:53-54; John 8:46; 18:38).
2. The Lamb was killed – The Passover lamb was to be killed (12:6). Jesus was killed as the Lamb of God (John 12:24; Hebrews 9:22).
3. The blood must be applied – The blood of the Passover lamb must be applied to the doorposts of the house in order that the angel of death would see it and Passover the house and its inhabitants (12:7). The blood of Jesus must be applied to our lives by faith in order for our sins to be forgiven (John 3:36; 1 John 1:7, 9).
4. The blood applied was sufficient for protection – Nothing more than the blood of the Passover lamb needed to be applied to the doorposts to secure protection from death (12:13). In the same way the blood of Jesus to totally and solitarily sufficient to be protected from the judgment and wrath of God (Hebrews 10:10, 14).
5. The memorial meal of unleavened bread – The meal of unleavened bread typifies Jesus the Bread of Life (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

 

All of this is a holy unique part of history for God’s people. It was to be remembered and commemorated throughout history: by consecrating the firstborn to the LORD (13:1-2); by living holy lives as symbolized by the removal of leaven from their homes (13:3); and by celebrating the annual Feast of Unleavened Bread (13:4-10). The Exodus from Egypt was a historic demonstration of God’s superior might over princes and gods of this world. The redemption of Israel from Egypt is symbolized by the sacrifice of the firstborn animals and redemption of the firstborn of people that would be enacted upon entering Canaan (13:11-16). These symbolic practices all have their ultimate fulfillment in Christ in the New Testament and the gospel message.

Victory is often preceded by struggle. That is God’s way. Jesus endured the cross. He did so because he knew victory was three days away. He knew that from God’s word (e.g., Matthew 12:40; Luke 11:30). We can be confident in God’s victory too, because of His word. Jesus endured the struggle and did so joyfully because He knew His sacrifice would be the means of redeeming us from sin and provide victory over death. This is God’s pattern. struggle is a part of the victory. Struggle gives value to the victory. Struggle strengthens our faith. It is to those who endure in the power of God who find victory. Are you struggling? About to give up? Look to the Lord. Cry out to Him. He is listening. He will get you through to victory. Don’t give up! Press on in the liberating power of the Lord. Press on, victory is at hand. Lord hear our prayers! God give us the victory, individually, corporately, nationally, all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

[1] The Egyptians viewed their Pharoah as a god.

[2] Word For Today Audiotape C200 series Tape on Exodus 11-12