Audio Links

Awesome Hands – part 55

“The Passover”

Feb. 12, 2013

In our previous studies over the ten plagues we have covered many types and shadows contained within these stories.

In our study today, we are going to cover the information building up to the 10th plague and what we are admonished with today and what the Passover and 10th plague mean for us.

We are going to briefly cover chapter 11 in Exodus and then jump into the start of chapter 12. Though we will not be able to cover the full extent of chapter 12 this study, we will get a start on it so that we can finish up the last plague.

“One more plague”

Exo 11:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
Exo 11:2  Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
Exo 11:3  And the LORD gave the people favour 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.

There are a few points to take away from chapter 11 of Exodus. Moses is told that this last plague will be the one that accomplishes what Moses has been sent to tell the people, “let my people go”.

Next, Moses is told to tell the people to borrow silver and gold from their neighbors. Not only that, but Moses is said to be a very great man in the land of Egypt in the sight of everyone, so what does this mean for us?

Heb 4:4  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Heb 4:5  And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Heb 4:6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

The idea given of borrowing from your neighbor is a type of what happens to “us and them” in the New Testament.

Egypt typifies those who come before us His holy people, who were established by God Himself, so that they could be used to graft in His people.

Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

We also know that our enemies will be made to dwell peaceably with us and given all that Moses and Aaron are used to do to Egypt; we know it is a miracle that some in Egypt hold Moses in high regard.

Pro 16:7  When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Eze 2:5  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

Eze 33:32  And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
Eze 33:33  And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

Nonetheless, the wonders which the Lord does to Egypt are done to show His power and to give salvation and freedom to His people.

Exo 11:4  And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
Exo 11:5  And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Exo 11:6  And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
Exo 11:7  But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Exo 11:8  And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
Exo 11:9  And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
Exo 11:10  And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

These same wonders mentioned in Exodus 11:10 are the same wonders mentioned in Exodus 7:3 and then in Exodus 4:21.

Exo 7:3  And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Exo 7:4  But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Exo 4:20  And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Exo 4:21  And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

As has been mentioned before, but just as a recap, the Hebrew word translated as wonders is H4159:

H4159

מפת  /  מופת

môphêth
Total KJV Occurrences: 36
wonders, 19

Exo_4:21 (2), Exo_7:3, Exo_11:9-10 (2), Deu_4:34, Deu_6:22, Deu_7:19, Deu_26:8, Deu_34:11, 1Ch_16:12, Neh_9:10, Psa_78:43, Psa_105:5, Psa_105:27, Psa_135:9, Isa_8:18, Jer_32:20-21 (2), Joe_2:30

sign, 8

1Ki_13:3 (2), 1Ki_13:5, 2Ch_32:24, Eze_12:6, Eze_12:11, Eze_24:24, Eze_24:27

wonder, 6

Deu_13:1-2 (2), Deu_28:46, 2Ch_32:31, Psa_71:7, Isa_20:3

miracle, 1
Exo_7:9
miracles, 1
Deu_29:3
wondered, 1

Zec_3:8

This of course is all in reference to the plagues brought to Egypt, and that brings us to the start of chapter 12 and the last of the 10 plagues.

“The completeness of the flesh”

The number ten in scripture spiritually speaks to the completeness of the flesh. Since we are at the 10th plague, we are going to look at chapter 12 through the prism of this spiritual concept.

At the start of chapter 12, we are going to be told by the Lord, as is always the case, what He is going to do before He does it so that when it comes about we are not left unawares to what is happening as if some strange thing is happening to us.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

He does this these things so that we can be brought into remembrance of these things, but of course they did not know this concept here in Exodus but we know this Truth due to the “sum of thy Word”.

Once such example is what we are going to read at the start of chapter 12.

Exo 12:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2  This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exo 12:3  Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Exo 12:4  And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

That which proceeds the Passover will be a covering for the whole congregation. The process which starts at the 10th plague is that which is secure the salvation of the people of Israel.

Notice that it is very important to grasp the spiritual concept that the 10th plague, and those that lead up to the 10th plague happening are all VERY NECESSARY in the process of salvation.

Why then are the plagues necessary to salvation?

It is the preparation leading to the Passover that lets us know that we are going to be redeemed.

It is the suffering in our lives that leads us to call out in distress to our Lord for deliverance. It is going to take great sufferings of Egypt in order for the “King” to let us go.

It is the fiery trial which are Christ’s suffering for us (and by extension the body of Christ later) which BUILDS up Christ, so what does the start of Exodus 12 show us about this?

The “beginning of months” is the FIRST MONTH in which we will see salvation but it STARTS right before the 10th plague happens. What is the spiritual significance of this happening? Well, we can see the answer in HOW this comes about.

It is in the 10th day of this month that we separate our spotless lamb of the first year and “keep it” for 4 days until the 14th day of the month? Why is that important? Well, this is a total of 4 days and that represents the WHOLE of what we are talking about, and what are we talking about?

We are talking about the PASSOVER which will save us from the death angel! Who then IS THE PASSOVER?

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This preparation of the lamb is none other than the type and shadow in the OT of the marriage supper of the Lamb in which Jesus Christ calls us His because He covers is with His blood.

The reason the lamb is kept for 4 days is because Jesus Christ is a complete and whole covering for the sin that must be “passed over” when the death angel comes flying over the door post.

Additionally, the family responsible for the killing of the lamb is responsible to take CARE of the lamb for those four days. This is to tell us that we are all involved with the caring and slaughter of the lamb in our care.

However, the Passover is NOT to be eaten alone.

Exo 12:7  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exo 12:8  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Exo 12:9  Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
Exo 12:10  And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
Exo 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.

After we are told how to prepare for this we are then told what will come about AFTER this preparation.

Exo 12:12  For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite 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.
Exo 12:13  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and 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.
Exo 12:14  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

This will indeed happen to all generations of all time due to the fact that we know the sum of thy word tells us that “this generation will not pass till all these things be fulfilled” and “all things are yours”.

Of course, these are very spiritually statements.

“Unleavened bread”

When we come to realize what all this means for us today, we will see that Christ being the lamb represents the start of us putting sin out of our lives.

A better and more precise way to think of it is this is the START, the type and shadow of the “beginning of months” in which we will start to be given dominion of the things that cause sin in out lives.

Exo 12:15  Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exo 12:16  And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
Exo 12:17  And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:18  In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exo 12:19  Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
Exo 12:20  Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

We can conclude spiritually speaking that this is when “judgment begins at the house of God” because the days of unleavened bread span for seven days and seven represents the number of the completeness especially judgment.

You may think, “Wait a minute Steven, there is a whole lot more that happens after the Passover and days of unleavened bread” and I completely agree.

This is just a type and shadow in the micro version of what God is working in all of our lives and the others stories all throughout scripture and in the sum of thy word bare out more defined details of this process.

As proof of this concept, look at how Moses gives FINER details on HOW to execute the process of putting blood on the door post that was not previously revealed before.

Exo 12:21  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.
Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exo 12:24  And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

We are told WITH what we are to dip the blood in and also to not leave the house until morning.

In other words, we are to do exactly what the Lord commands and wait for the morning star to immerge new into our lives.

Exo 12:25  And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
Exo 12:26  And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
Exo 12:27  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 worshipped.
Exo 12:28  And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

It is while we are in the land of Egypt that the Passover and the tenth plague occur. This proves to us that the Lamb of God is the only one capable of bridging the divide that is impassable by any other.

In the next study, we are going to see the execution of this tenth and final plague and map it to what happens next with the people of God as we exit Egypt to go on and into the wilderness experience of our walk with our Lord and savior.