Exodus 11:1-10 & Exodus 12:1-20
Q.1. What made this the final plague? What was God’s instruction to His people? Why was this plague the worst to afflict the Egyptians? Would Israel be safe? How did the confrontation go? – (Exo.11:1-10)
God told Moses – One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and Egypt; after that he will let you go (Exo.11:1). All the other plagues had affected the nations economically. However, this plague would bring death and loss to – 5 all the firstborn in the land of Egypt … from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl … 6 there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before, and such as shall never be again. (Exo.11:5-6). Furthermore, the Lord instructed the Israelites to ask their neighbours for articles of silver and gold (Exo.11:2). Moses and the people were respected by the Egyptians – thus they plundered the Egyptians (Exo.12:36 c.f. Exo.11:3). However, God promised to protect His people, declaring – against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel (Exo.11:7). The confrontation was angry, but God had foretold – Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that my wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt (Exo.11:9-10).
Q.2. How significant was this day to be? What were the families of Israel to do? What did the meal include? What kind of lamb was to be offered? What was the purpose for applying the blood? – (Exo.12:1-13)
This chapter explains how people could be saved from the destroyer who would pass through the land of Egypt. We learn that this was a highly significant event because God told Moses and Aaron – This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you (Exo.12:2). The guidelines provided for the first Passover Feast suggest that the death of Egypt’s firstborn was delayed for at least two weeks. Israel prepared for the Passover, taking a lamb on the tenth day, and slaying it on the fourteenth day (c.f. Exo.12:3 & 6). The sacrificial lamb, taken on day ten, and slain on day fourteen –shall be an unblemished male a year old (Exo.12:5). There was time to ensure that there was no imperfection in the lamb to be sacrificed. God gave specific instructions on the provision for each family, telling them how to partake, and of the need to apply – the blood and paint it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat (Exo.12:7 c.f. Exo.12:11). God promised – 12 For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the Lord! 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; 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 (Exo.12:12-13). All these things foreshadowed the Lord’s Supper, which is a memorial to the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
Q.3. How important would this memorial feast be to the nation? How was Israel to prepare for the meal? Why were their prohibitions? What was the Passover meal to signify? – (Exo.12:14-20)
God clearly indicated that this feast was to be an annual event, used to remind future generations about this redemption from slavery – for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance (Exo.12:17 c.f. Exo.12:14). The Passover was to be preceded by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a week during which every house had to have all leaven removed (Exo.12:15-16, 18-20). Anyone who refused to comply with this command was to be cut off from the congregation of Israel (Exo.12:15 & 19). All the elements of bitterness, haste, and liberty were to be carefully observed by future generations – it is the Lord’s Passover (Exo.12:11 c.f. Exo.12:8-10).