I can't begin to imagine the chaos when so many first born were found dead when the dark night was over! I am reminded that it did not have to be that way. If the pharaoh had not been so hard-hearted and just let the Hebrew people go it would never have happened. Those who listened to Moses instructions did not suffer any loss and prepared themselves for journey. Their bags were packed and their sandals were on their feet. At daylight the order was given for the Hebrews to get out of Egypt and the slaves became a nation on the march! God was a pillar of fire leading them at night and a pillar of smoke leading them by day. When they reached the Red Sea and realized that the pharaoh had another change of heart and sent his military after the Hebrews, the Red Sea opened before the Hebrews. They made their crossing on high ground, but when the Egyptian forces tried to cross the earth turned to mire and the sea swallowed them up.
The Old Testament is filled with stories and prophecy presenting a “type” and a “shadow” of things to come. I do believe that Moses emphasized what needed to be followed in preparation for the Passover. I also believe there were those Hebrews who heard the instructions, but did not take them seriously and they suffered what the rest of Egypt suffered. I believe the Lord would have us focus on specifics and today--would have us understand how important the Passover is in this day. Under Moses instructions the sacrifice had to be a lamb without blemish. A drop of blood from the lamb had to be put over the door and on the lintel of the window. The lamb had to be completely consumed and preparations made for an immediate departure. On the Day of Pentecost after Jesus' ascension His disciples were directed to an upper room to pray and wait for an event that had never occurred before. These disciples were convinced and experienced a Holy visitation. It was going to be a New Day that would come and a New Covenant introduced. The enemy of humanity was given notice to let those he imprisoned go and the way of escape offered to all who would obey. Three thousand did that day and then, the thousand upon thousands who would follow, including me. There is a new name and a new blood application.From what I read, the blood we need applied does not come with a confession, but in baptism. I have mentioned before that the Greek word that was interpreted “church” really meant “called out ones.” Just as the Hebrews were called out of Egypt, we are being “called out” of the world. We are being offered a Way of escape. There is a promised land for us. John 13 [1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 1 Corinthians 5 [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Revelation 7 [14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12 [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Mark 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover,... There are a lot of parallels comparing our lives today in the world and the Hebrew people's lives in Egypt. There were those Hebrews in Egypt who knew they were little more than slaves working for the pharaoh. When they grew tired enough they begin praying for deliverance and their freedom. At the cusp of their deliverance some phenomenal, miraculous things took place. None of the events were ordinary, I mean a staff turning into a snake, water into blood, the plagues of locust, flies and frogs, but the single event that forced the pharaoh to let the people go was the passover. Jesus became our sacrificial Lamb. He was without spot or blemish and His blood cleansing still is in effect. The Passover we identify with is focused on Him. He is the water we drink and never thirst again. The instructions Peter first gave at Pentecost have never changed. Peter was ordained in a moment to declare the standard for the world. He introduced the “keys” to the Kingdom. God inspired Peter to be serious. Exodus 12 [11] And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. [21] Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. [27] That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshiped. [43] And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: [48] And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will 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 one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 2 Kings 23 [21] And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. Luke.2 [41] Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Luke 22 [1] Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. [7] Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. [8] And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. [11] And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? [13] And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. [15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: John 19 [14] And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and He says unto the Jews, Behold your King! 1Corinthians 5 [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Hebrews 11 [28] Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. How we observe the Passover begins with how important we think Peter's instructions were for those who want to join the “called out ones.” Revelations 22 [1] And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: [4] And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. [5] And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. [6] And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. [7] Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
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