Sermon Tone Analysis

Over these past several weeks, we have taken a look at what God’s Word has to say about this idea of Substitution.

And more importantly how we are all in need of a substitute.

In the very beginning Adam and Eve sinned, so God killed two animals to cover their shame, guilt and sin.

Then last week we saw how God graciously provided Abraham a substitute so he didn’t have to kill his son Isaac.

And just like the nation of Israel was in the Old Testament and both Jews and Gentiles during the time of Christ, we too today new a Substitute.

So, let me recap just exactly why we need a substitute by showing us the issue at hand.

Here is how Paul puts it in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

There are many folks today who think we need saved from this world and all of it’s problems.

No, we need saved from sin.

So, this is the problem that we all face.

We have a sin problem.

Sin is disobeying what God says is wrong.

But, there is good news.

What’s the good news?

Let’s keep reading.

But God!

Because God is gracious and has mercy on us and has provided a substitute, we can be made alive.

Has Christ changed your life today?

Are you alive?

Without Christ Paul tells us here you are dead.

Turn with me to Exodus Chapter 12.

I want us to look at this wonderful truth about the Passover.

I want you to see today that God Provided a Substitute in that of the Passover Lamb.

These words that I am going to read here are God’s instructions for the Passover.

What I want to do is for us to go back to verses 12 and 13 and zero in on these 4 I will statements about the Passover.

1.

I will pass through the land of Egypt.

2. I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

3. I will execute judgments.

4. When I see the blood, I will pass over you.

So, let’s begin we this first statement, “I will pass through.”

Why was God passing through the land of Egypt?

We might ask why is God’s judgment happening here?

In order for us to understand this we need to go back to chapter 7. So, turn with me there.

God’s judgment is poured out on Egypt by 10 plagues that God delivers to Egypt and it’s rulers and people.

Notice the first reason in verse 4 of why God is passing through the land of Egypt.

Remember that up to this point God’s people are in slavery, “But God” God hears the prayers and cries of His people and now He is ultimately removing His people from the bondage of slavery and taking them out of Egypt and to the promised land.

(There are many folks who today find themselves just like Israel in bondage to sin and slavery.

You desperately need to be delivered.

Will you call out like the Israelites did?

Will you trust in what God has provided for you?)

This is so important here because we know that this has future ramifications because eventually we know that God promised that through Israel there would come a Redeemer, someone to rescue people from their sin.

The second reason we see is in verse 5. Here, God shows Egypt and it’s rulers that Yaweh is the one true God, and not the thousands of God’s that Egypt worshiped.

There is only one true God and so this phrase “so that Egypt shall know that I am the Lord” is repeated over and over again throughout the next several chapters.

Egypt could not deny the direct involvement of the God of Israel and His power.

And now God shows his power through the plagues.

This is the third part of the I will statements.

“I will execute judgments.”

We now begin to see all the judgments being poured out on Egypt.

The Water sources in Egypt are turned to blood.

The Nile River and other water sources turn into blood and kill the fish and water creatures.

Plus no one could drink from the water.

This was a terrible and devastating plague.

(7:14-25)

The Second Plague we see here is Frogs.

Frogs covered the whole land.

They were a terrible pesky problem.

Eventually when they all died it created a terrible oder throughout the land.

(8:1-15)

The Third Plague was Gnats.

These were tiny flying insects that were plaguing the entire land.

(8:16-19)

The Next Plague was Flies.

Flies covered the entire land and because of this the land was ruined.

(8:20-32)

The fifth Plague was the Egyptian livestock dies.

This was horses, donkeys, camels, the herds and flocks.

However not one of the Hebrew’s livestock died.

(9:1-7)

Boils or Terrible Sores were the next plague.

This was for both man and animal and caused severe pain for all.

(9:8-12)

Severe Hail like has never been seen before was the 7th Plague.

The hail was so heavy that it struck down the plants and crops in the fields.

It killed animals out in the field as well as people who were caught outside.

(9:13-35)

Locusts were the 8th Plague.

Locusts covered the face of the land.

They came along and ate whatever was leftover that the hail did not wipeout.

(10:1-20)

Darkness over all the land for 3 entire days was the Ninth Plague.

The Darkness was so severe that people could not see each other and sat in their homes.

Again this did not effect the Hebrew people who lived in Goshen.

(10:21-29)

And finally we come to the 10th Plague.

We see this second I will statement.

God will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

From the kings first born son all the way down to the slave girls first born son and even the cattle, God’s judgement would be poured out.

But I want us to see that there was a huge distinction on the judgment of God.

Look at Exodus chapter 11 with me.

So, what was this distinction or difference?

What exactly was so different for the Hebrew people?

Why did they not receive the wrath and judgement of God?

After all were they too not sinners?

Yes, they were.

But for the Hebrews God graciously provides a substitute, which leads us to this 4th I will statement.

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

What does this mean?

Here in Exodus we don’t have the place of God set up yet.

What I mean by that, is that there is no tabernacle or temple at this point.

The families gathered together in their homes on this first month of (Abib) which was March or April.

This actually marked that start of Israel’s life as a nation.

So, they gather together in the presence of God and around the sacrificial lamb which is the substitute for each member of that family.

The specific instructions are now to take a lamb on the 10th day.

The lamb must be a one-year old male because it is taking the place of Israel’s firstborn males, who are young and full of strength and life.

The lamb is to be without a blemish, because any flaw would make it unfit to give as a sacrifice to Yahweh.

Then they are to kill the lamb on the 14th day and put the blood of the lamb on the sides and the top of their doors.

The bitter herbs here really reflect or recall all the bitter years of service that the Hebrew people gave to Egypt.

The unleavened bread here is a picture of making haste to get out of Egypt.

Be ready to leave quickly.