THE FEAST OF
PASSOVER
There
are three parts to the Feast of Passover:
1.
The Feast of
Passover
2.
The Feast of
Unleavened Bread
3.
The Festival of
the Sheaf of the First Fruits
I. The Story In
Brief:
When
the time came for deliverance of the nation of Israel out of Egypt, “the house
of bondage” (Ex 13:3-14), God gave specific instructions concerning the means
of deliverance. It was in the message of the Passover Lamb that Moses actually
preached the gospel to the Israelites, and all could either accept or reject
the gospel message.
The
heads of each household were to take a lamb of the first year on the tenth day
of the first month and set it aside until the fourteenth day. In the evening of
the fourteenth day the lamb was to be killed, and it’s blood sprinkled on the
lintel and the two side posts of the household door. The household itself was
to feast upon the body of the lamb roasted with fire, with bitter herbs and
unleavened bread. They were to eat it in haste, and be dressed ready to leave
Egypt at the midnight hour.
At
midnight the death angel would pass through the land and every house that did
not have the token of the blood upon the door post would suffer judgment . This
judgment was the death of the first born, of both man and beast. The Lord said
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon
you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt” (Ex 12:12). Thus the Feast
of Passover originated in the passing over of the angel of death over the blood
sprinkled doors of the Israelites or any
of the Egyptians who cared to believe the gospel word.
The
title (Hebrew “Pesach”) translated
Passover, means “a passing over, or to
pass or hover over.” There is a double meaning
of the word “Passover” one is in judgment of the death angel, but that
also of that “hovering over” in divine protection as a hen would cover her
chickens (Psa 91:1-4). Thus judgment and mercy are linked in the Passover Feast
according to the faith and obedience or of the unbelief and disobedience of the
persons of each household, be they Jews or Egyptians. All were forbidden to go
outside the door of the house until the Lord brought them forth in the hour of
their deliverance.
The
Lord also told them that they were to celebrate the Feast yearly and explain to
their children what the whole service meant in its original setting.
A. Passover,
The Beginning of Months- Abib (AVIV) or Nisan Ex 12:2;
13:4
The
Feast of Passover was the beginning
of months for Israel. It became the first month of the sacred year to the
nation. Here God changed the calendar for them. The Past or the previous six
months were forgotten as God introduced the new calendar for them, it
was a new beginning. The name of
the Month is also significant “Abib” also called Nisan. Abib means “green
or sprouting.” Of course this month falls in the season of spring. Hence we
see that it represents “New Life.” Green is the color of new life,
we speak about people being green or new or inexperienced . Thus we can see
this speaks of being new creatures in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away,
everything has become New (Green) (2 Cor 5:17). This Feast
was therefore the foundation of their experience with God. The very fact that it
took place in the first month, the beginning of months, shows us that God had
more in mind for them in the months that lay ahead. This will be seen in the
subsequent Feasts.
So
for the believer in Christ, receiving Jesus as the Lamb of God is but the beginning of one’s
experience in God. It is the first, the foundational experience upon which all
the rest builds, but there is more to follow. Salvation is not a destination,
rather but the beginning of a great journey or pilgrimage. The New Birth is the
beginning of our New Covenant relationship (Jn 3:5). No believer should get
saved and satisfied or stop at this feast, but move on and celebrate the other
Feasts as well. Jesus Christ is the beginning of all things, when he comes as
the Lamb of God, he changes the calendar from B.C. to A.D.
B. The Four
Days of The Hidden Lamb- Ex 12:3-6
God
commanded Israel to take a lamb on the tenth day and set it aside until the
fourteenth day of the first month. In others words the lamb chosen was ordained
to die in due time. As believers we can see God’s plan of redemption in
Jesus Christ. On the week of crucifixion Jesus entered in on the tenth day, and
on the fourteenth day was slain, four days later according to the type. But
also we see that “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when
it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4, 2 Pet 3:8), A thousand
years is as one day to the Lord, thus Jesus was hidden from Israel’s view four
days, four thousand years, before he was revealed as “the Lamb of God” though
he was set aside before the foundation of the world. When Adam sinned, God set his lamb aside
“Jesus Christ” for death. Jesus was fore-ordained to die. From Adam to the times
of Christ we have four days to the Lord.
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not
redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you,”( 1 Peter 1:18-20). “And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8.) Read also
(Jn 1:29,36; Eph 1:3-5, 9-12; Eph 3:10-11). In addition when Israel selected
their lambs on the tenth day they would bring it home with them to prepare for
the atonement in four days. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday the day
set aside to select a lamb for a house, and The Father had selected his lamb
for his house and brought him to his temple. Selah!
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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