📅 February 5: Exodus 11,12: The Passover, from Plagues to Freedom

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Introduction: The momentous chapter of Exodus 11,12 takes us through the last devastating plague to strike Egypt - the death of the firstborn, culminating in Pharaoh finally liberating the Israelites.

Exodus 11: The Final Plague
God declares His final act of judgement on Egypt. The firstborn in every home, including Pharaoh’s, would die, demonstrating God’s inexorable power to Pharaoh.
Key Verse: Exodus 11:5: “Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill.”

Exodus 12: The First Passover
The establishment of the Passover commemorated their deliverance and is the cornerstone of Jewish religious calendar.
Key Verse: Exodus 12:14: “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”

Key Themes and Reflections:

1. God’s Judgement and Mercy: God’s final plague was severe, yet it was His means of liberating His people. It teaches us that God’s methods might be beyond our understanding, but they are just.
2. Symbolism of Passover Lamb: The lamb’s blood on the doors spared the Israelites, portraying Jesus in the New Testament as the ultimate sacrificial Passover Lamb.

Today’s Application: The Passover reminds us of our deliverance from the bondage of sin through Christ, our Passover Lamb. We should always commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus, who took our sins upon Himself.

Hidden Gem: The meticulous instructions for the Passover meal hint at a God who cares about details. Nothing in God’s world is too insignificant for His attention.

Reflective Q&A:
What is the significance of the Passover?
A: It symbolizes God’s deliverance and is a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrificial death for our liberation from sin.

How does the final plague translate into our lives today?
A: It reminds us of the severity of God’s judgement against sin and His deep love for us that He would provide an escape through the blood of Jesus.

Join the Discussion: How do you celebrate and remember the sacrifice Christ made for you?

See You Tomorrow in Exodus 13, 14: The journey of the Israelites continues as God leads them to the Promised Land, testing their faith every step of the way. Remember, just as God guided them, He also guides us in our everyday life through the uncharted territories.

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Exodus 11,12
Nine plagues had come upon the Pharaoh and his people, upon whom there must, by now, have been great unrest, evident in the chapters for today. Since each of the plagues apparently lasted at least seven days (although one is listed as “three days” ch. 10:22, for the actual plague, plus days of introduction and following), perhaps the intervening weeks allowed for Pharaoh to recover his position, but now the time had come to conclude Yahweh’s judgment on Egypt (ch. 11:1-3). Both Moses and the people were now held in esteem by the Egyptians. The word ‘favour’ (v. 3) is the same word as ‘grace’ in Gen. 6:8. Ch. 11 records: [1] Israel accepts of the Egyptian goods: vv. 1-3. [2] Firstborn threatened with death: vv. 4-8. [3] Pharaoh remains stubborn: vv. 9-10. The chapter opens with the fulfilment of ch. 10:28-29, for now Yahweh, in bringing this tenth and most devastating plague worked directly in the very heart of the Egyptians with no warning. Not that they could have hidden from this outpouring of divine Power (vv. 5-6), for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). The plague was to be the death of all of the Egyptian firstborn, both of man and beast, and this “double portion” has relationship to the covenant of the firstborn. Thus it was a contest between the firstborn of Yahweh (Israel) and that of Egypt. In Rom. 8:29 the word ‘firstborn’ is used in relation to those chosen and who “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1). In Exo. 11:7 the unusual phrase “shall not a dog move his tongue” appears. The Hebrew word for dog is ‘kehleb’ (compare Josh. 10:21 and Exo. 11:7); and this passage has been generally understood as a proverbial expression, intimating that the Israelites should not only be free from this death, but that they should depart without any kind of molestation. Ch. 12 records the institution of the Passover. [1] The beginning of the year appointed: vv. 1-2. [2] The Passover instituted: vv. 3-14. [3] Feast of Unleavened Bread: vv. 15-17. [4] When the feast was kept: vv. 18-20. [5] Elders instructed to keep the Passover: vv. 21-28. [6] 10th plague: firstborn slain: vv. 29-30. [7] The people urged to leave: vv. 31-36. [8] The Hebrews journey to Succoth: vv. 37-39. [9] Night of Observations: vv. 40-42. [10] Who shall eat the Passover: vv. 43-51. As the Israelites were to start on a new phase of their life, Yahweh told them to start with a new year to be known as Abib, “new springs; fresh life.” Moses was to speak to the congregation (which, in Hebrew is a feminine word, signifying the ecclesia) showing Israel as the selected Bride of Yahweh. Passing on the instructions of Yahweh, Moses told them to take the best of their flock on the 10th day of Abib, and examine it until the 14th day when it would be slain ‘between the evenings’ (Heb.) In the antitype, the Lord entered Jerusalem on the 10th of Abib. The Passover institution took place as the blood was spread on posts and lintel, and life was preserved. In v. 31 Pharaoh responds in accord with the words of Yahweh, almost driving Moses out, so that Israel left in haste (cp. Exo. 3:21, fulfilled in ch. 12:35). The host was many, not only Israelite men numbering 600,000, but also women and children plus a mixed multitude with them (Strong’s calls the mixed multitude as a ‘mongrel race’ cp. Neh. 13:3, etc.). The children of Israel went forth from Egypt with some relief, and yet much trepidation, having seen the hand of Yahweh at work for them in the tremendous experience of the plagues. They are informed that one Law (‘The Torah,’ v. 49) should be law to them all. This is the first mention of ‘The Torah’ in Scripture, but they immediately would see the Power of the Law, the Sense of the Law, the Direction of the Law – showing them very clearly that they needed a Redeemer, therefore pointing forward to Yahshua Christ (Gal. 3:24). The departure from Egypt had to be orderly, considering how many were involved, and the excited state they would be in. So “Yahweh brought them out in their armies,” that is to say in an orderly march. The word translated ‘armies’ is translated in other parts as ‘ranks of five.’ Our walk must be as orderly so that we will be constantly equipped with the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ knowing ‘that He will never leave us nor forsake us’. — Logos.