220403 Exodus 12: The Passover is for Yahweh

Mark Organ

Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

0 ratings

· 3 views

Notes

Transcript

OPENING SLIDE

TEXT/MOSES’ DEMANDS/PHARAOHS HEART

Our principal text will be Exodus 12 this morning. We left off in Exodus 9, last week, when Moses had gone before Pharaoh and over and over demanded the release of the Hebrew slaves and over and over Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

Hardened with firmness, hardened with strength. Self hardened and hardened by God. Pharaoh’s heart is as hard as a piece of flint.

PLAGUES SENT - REMEMBERED

Over and over plagues were sent by Yahweh to decimate and destroy to demonstrate His incredible power and to preserve an indelible image, in the memory of the world, of His power. In chapter 9 if you recall, disease had killed a large percentage of the Egyptian livestock. Then boils had been sent to hobble both man and beast - recall the mighty magicians of Egypt, who formerly had created blood from water and had also magically made frogs too. These magicians they were hobbled before Moses and Aaron and then came the hail and fire which obliterated all exposed life, both man, beast and plant life. Shattering trees and burning the ground.

PLAGUES SENT - NOT PREACHED ON

In Chapter 10 God sent heavy swarms of locusts to eat all remaining vegetation even stripping all greenery from the land. And then came the darkness… three days of pitch black - just as God warned so it happened.

INTRODUCTION

Well, today we are going to be covering one of seminal events in Israel’s history.

If you think back of the top events that ever took place in the history of Israel, you might recall one or two events but the biggest, most spectacular is surely God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the celebration of Passover - a celebration that God has reserved and established for Himself.

MAIN POINT

The main point of the sermon today is that the Passover, is to be reserved, kept and guarded for Yahweh. He alone passed over the Israelites that were covered with blood and destroyed the firstborn of Egypt. He alone brought the children of Israel out of slavery. The Passover is for Yahweh. PAUSE

That is what the text says, and that is what we are supposed to get out of it but there are implications, there are illustrations tied to the text that I will be developing as well.

Furthermore, I’m going to answer some key questions that Christians have regarding Passover such as, “whats the point?” and, “Are Christians required to keep the Passover?” and maybe most importantly, “What does the Lord think of Passover?”

These are important questions and hopefully this message will whet our appetites both literally and spiritually for the Passover Seder meal we will be celebrating in a little over a week SLIDE

But before dive into the text let’s go to God in prayer.

PRAYER

Yahweh God, we come before You today, in order to recognize You. To elevate You and celebrate what You clearly hold dear. The deliverance of Your people from bondage.

You delivered Israel from Egypt - from the destruction of the plagues and You redeemed them from Egypt’s slavery and bondage.

Yahweh, You are still in the business of saving a people for Your own possession from slavery. All here who know Your Son as Savior and Lord celebrate our deliverance from death, from slavery to sin and so we celebrate You.

Thank You for the gift of Christ, Your beloved Son, the Lamb of God. It is in the name of Jesus we come to You, amen.

SERMON

CONTEXT Well, since we have already covered the context to some degree we can jump right into Exodus chapter 12 - On the tenth day of the month the children of Israel are to take the Passover Lamb for themselves - verse 1 SLIDE

I. The Passover Lamb (v1-7)

A. On the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb (v1-3)

Exodus 12:1 Now Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.

This Passover event is to be a fundamental part of the Israelite calendar… Passover is where the year begins for Israel. VERSE SLIDE Ex 12:24 And you shall keep this event as a statute for you and your children forever.

It is indefinite, a forever institution that verse 25 and 26 describe as a new slavery, the remembrance of Passover as a new slavery, a new thing they are bonded to, its a service of worship that is for remembering the Lord’s deliverance of Israel.

It is the beginning, every day afterward is based upon this event - it’s a big deal. It is set as the foundation for Israel’s year - to establish the fact that they were once slaves.

Which leads to our first KEY TAKEAWAY

Which is, that as believers, our worship is so much the sweeter when we intentionally remember our own personal deliverance from sin. Remembering that we were saved by God’s grace through faith is a fundamental part of our worship.

As we worship, we remember what God has done and we praise Him for it.

QUESTION SLIDE 1

Which answers the question, “what is the main purpose of the Passover celebration?” QUESTION SLIDE 1+ The main purpose of the Passover is Remembering Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt SLIDE

Passover, the calendar, these things are meant to cement this in their mind. And to further accomplish that God is going to command the Israelites to do something unique, bring the Passover Lamb into their homes for three full days. On the tenth they are going to bring the passover lamb into their homes and then under the full moon they would slaughter it. Verse 4

B. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day (v4-6)

4 Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to apportion the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be a male, without blemish, a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight.

A dressed out one year old sheep or goat weighs anywhere from 35-45 pounds. This animal was kept in the home for several days. This would give the Israelites enough time to determine if there was any sickness, lameness or any other imperfection in the animal.

Then under the full moon, the middle of the lunar month, all the assembly of the congregation would bring their animals outside to slaughter them at sunset. PAUSE

QUESTION SLIDE 2

One of the questions that I get asked, and Christians often wonder is, “Do I have to participate in the Passover?” “Is this something I am required to do…?” Its a legitimate question. “Do we as Christians have an obligation to celebrate the Passover?” What do you think and more importantly why do you think that? PAUSE LOOK AROUND

QUESTION SLIDE 2+

While not required, Christians can celebrate Passover because they too have been redeemed from slavery

I say that because Colossians 2:16-17 clearly states

Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day⁠ things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

We are not obligated, to participate, but we do get to celebrate because we can see the meaning, the underlying meaning, the true meaning, and for us, it is not just rote tradition, this celebration means something particular to us who are saved, it means something to us personally. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. We were enslaved to sin but we have been set free by the mighty hand of God.

It’s not a “have to” its a “get to.”

But let’s continue on with the narrative in verse 7 SLIDE

In verse seven we read “take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.

C. Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts(v7)

DONT READ 7 Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. PAUSE

Each one year old lamb yield approximately 1 gallon of blood. That blood would have been caught in a bowl and not just spilled all over the ground. The blood was precious because it would be the means by which the Israelites would show their faith. It would be the means by which they showed their desire for salvation, that they believed the word of Yahweh. This painting of the blood on the door was a tangible expression of their faith

KEY TAKEAWAY

Similarly, the believer, in faith, hides themselves behind the blood of Christ. 1st Peter 1 says that we, “were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold (WE COULDNT BUY OUR WAY OUT OF THE PENALTY WE DESERVED) from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

The blood of Christ, the spotless, sinless Lamb of God is precious - we reverently speak of the blood of Christ because it was His shed blood that saved us from the wrath of God.

But here’s a question for you.

Why does our text in Exodus say that only the sides of the door posts and the lintel should have blood on it? Why not the doorsill? If three sides are good surely four is better, right? VERSE SLIDE

Well, there is a reason why they were not instructed to put blood on the threshold… it is because of what it would signify

Hebrews 10:29 How much worse punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as defiled the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

The blood of Christ is precious, we are to treat it reverently because it is the means by which we who believe are saved. We are not saved by our wealth - we cannot buy God off, we are not saved by our good works - we are sinners, we are saved by the perfect blood of the spotless Lamb of God, alone. SLIDE

Let’s continue with the prescription on how this Passover lamb ought to be prepared and consumed verse 8

II. You Shall Eat It (v8-10)

A. With unleavened bread and bitter herbs (v8)

8 And they shall eat the flesh that night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

The lamb would be eaten with bitter herbs - likely the ones right at hand and unleavened bread, flat bread, bread made without yeast - Bread without fluff.

Nutritionally speaking there is little different between flat bread and normal leavened bread - but there definitely is calorically. Eating flat bread and lamb would be the method by which the Israelites would consume the maximum amount of the food that would keep them going for days of travel. Flat bread has 4 times as many carbs as regular bread... God wanted them to fill up - the fat, the protein, the carbs.

But there is also a spiritual aspect which the Bible develops over time… Leaven, or yeast in the Bible symbolizes contamination. To eat unleavened bread is to be set apart, it is to be sanctified, separated from what was before. Israel is to be separated from Egypt - that even involves what they eat.

Well, verse 8 describes what is to be consumed but instructions are also given as to how the lamb was to be prepared. SLIDE It was to be roasted, which is the fastest method of preparation available

B. Roasted with fire (v9)

9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails.

They were not to make soup and not eaten raw - no lamb carpaccio. The lamb was to be prepared quickly but very much intentionally. Soup could be preserved for days but you would need fuel for fire - you would need a pot - they would have neither. Soup would have to be transported - and anyone who has ever tried to bring soup to potluck knows its difficult.

No, the lamb was to be quickly dressed out and roasted whole - not separated out, but whole. Verse 46 tells us that not a bone of it shall be broken which John in his Gospel tied directly to the crucifixion of Christ. If you will recall both of the men crucified with Jesus had their legs broken - but not Christ. The Passover Lamb is to be treated carefully, and consumed entirely SLIDE and they are to eat as much as possible verse 10

C. You shall not leave any of it over until morning (v10)

10 And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire. PAUSE

Here’s a lesson to take from this text, the passover lamb was to be consumed entirely, all at once, not dragged out over time. This is an important lesson because of how this relates to Christ. VERSE SLIDE

In Hebrews 10:12 the author writes that Christ, "having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,”

And in verse 14 VERSE SLIDE we learn that Christ’s once for all offering was enough, sufficient for all who have been saved

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

and down in verses 18 VERSE SLIDE we learn that there is no longer any further offering of sin but we can boldly come into the presence of God because we who believe don’t have to continually crucify and re-crucify Christ. “Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

It is finished, oh believer, take confidence from the sacrifice of Christ made to atone for sins was done, “Once for all, the just for the unjust” to bring us to God. SLIDE

In verse 11 we learn the rate at which this meal ought to be eaten

III. In Haste*(v11)

11 Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste —it is the Passover of Yahweh.

KEY TAKEAWAY Let me connect this now with our final takeaway… and it is directed to all of those hearing this that might not know Christ.

The consuming of the passover lamb was to be done in haste, hurriedly, without ceremony, and on the go… they needed to get as much as they could hold as soon as possible.

Similarly, you don’t need to clean yourself up before you respond to Him. He will take you, warts and all.

The truth of the matter is you need Christ as soon as possible, you do not have the luxury of the illusion that you will ever be able to come to him “good enough” - all our good works are as filthy rags.

Learn the lesson that you have nothing he wants, take the free gift that He offers for you. Take His salvation as quickly as possible and don’t look back. SLIDE

Those who do so, show through their confession of sins and profession of faith that they take God at His word, that they believe in the judgement to come and the salvation that only He provides. Verse 12

IV. I AM YAHWEH (v12-13)

A. I will go through the land and will strike the firstborn (v12)

12 And 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 Yahweh.

The Lord showed on that night 3500 years ago who was boss. It wasn’t the gods of Egypt. He proved they were not gods, only worthless incapable idols. 1 Corinthians 10:19-21 tells us that those idols were nothings, which is in complete contrast to Yahweh - the self existent God who was before all creation.

At the end of verse 12 He exclaims His reason for striking down all the false gods who were nothing - He did it because He is - I AM YAHWEH. He is God alone and He has devoted the gods of Egypt to destruction - He ties His name to His authority for bringing about the 10th plague which will destroy both man and beast, firstborn and false god.

This helps us to understand how to answer our 3rd and final question - which is perhaps the most important one we need to answer. QUESTION SLIDE 3 How does the Lord regard Passover? PAUSE What does Yahweh think of Passover? QUESTION SLIDE 3+

Yahweh has chosen to be specifically associated with it - it is special to Him. Over and over throughout the Bible this event is referenced. The destruction of Egypt and the freedom of Israel 48 separate occurences in 14 different books of the Bible… He holds Passover in very high regard. Verse 42 says that Ex 12:42 It is a night to be kept (GUARDED, PRESERVED) for Yahweh for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for Yahweh, to be kept by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.

That is the main point of the message, the Passover is for Yahweh because He alone brought Israel out of Egypt. Why celebrate Passover? Because it is for Yahweh. He has tied Himself to this event as an explanation of what He will do. The passover is the unique explanation of God’s justice and mercy and gives a clear indication of what His role His Son will fill as the Lamb of God.

Let’s close our passage with verse 13 SLIDE

B. and I will pass over you (v13)

13 And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and I will see the blood, and I will pass over you, and there shall be no plague among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

The blood shall be a sign for you, I will see the blood and I will pass over you, you will not face the punishment to come because I will see the blood of the Passover Lamb.

Friends, in faith, the people of Israel prepared their perfect lambs for this night, inspecting it, ensuring that it was everything that God had required.

In faith, they slaughtered it according to Yahweh’s instructions, catching each drop of that precious blood and painted the doorposts and lintels of their homes so that the destroyer would not come into their homes.

In faith they prepared the Passover Lamb and ate as much as they could, leaving none of it until morning, because the next day they would leave Egypt as victors, carrying away as much plunder as they could, although they did nothing to bring about victory.

Folks, the parallels are intentional - they are not meant to be missed.

The believers, in faith, hide behind the blood of the perfect Passover Lamb. They are passed over by the destroyer. Isaiah 31:5 tells us that Yahweh covers, He defends and provides the way of escape.

There are only two ways to know God, both of which He has revealed in Scripture, we will know Him either as Destroyer or as Defender. PAUSE

CONCLUSION 1

As I wrap up this message, I want to just reiterate some of the most critical elements.

First, as the Lord explains it, the Passover is for Him. It is to be kept in remembrance - indefinitely. Yahweh has chosen to be specifically associated with this event. There are over 48 unique references in 14 different books of the Bible that describe the Lord’s deliverance of Israel. The Passover is for Him.

CONCLUSION 2

While not a matter of salvation, you are neither saved if you partake or condemned if you choose not to partake in Passover. While not a matter of salvation, Celebrating Passover, for the believer, is a special time because the parallels between the salvation of Israel from bondage and slavery to Egypt and our own former bondage to sin. The Parallels cannot be missed and ought to be celebrated. The main purpose of the Passover is to remember what the Lord has done for us. He has shed His own blood for us, in faith we hide behind it and because of it we avoid the judgment to come.

CONCLUSION 3

Lastly, if you are here today and you do not know Christ, I urge you to partake of the Lamb of God as quickly as possible. Do not try to clean yourself up. Do not think that you can delay. You have nothing He wants. You must have the covering of the Lamb’s blood as soon as possible - because judgement will come.

220403 Exodus 12: The Passover is for Yahweh

​