The Paschal Lamb

Reading Portion

Exo. ch.12

Lesson Content

In the days when the Israelites were slaves in the land of Egypt, all the firstborn in Egypt both of man and beast were slain one night. According to the counsel of God, the evening before this incident took place, the paschal lamb was slain for two reasons:

(i) in order to preserve all the firstborn of Israel from being smitten; and (ii) for all the Israelites to be delivered from bondage. The Lord Jesus has been sacrificed for us as our Passover (I Cor.5:7). Therefore, when we believe it and confess our sins with bitterness of soul, we receive forgiveness of sins and are delivered from sin and the sinners.

1. The manner in which the lamb is to be chosen:

(i) It should be taken on the tenth day of the first month of the year (Exo.12:2,3). The first month: This is the beginning of months. It is said to be the first month of the year (Exo.12:2). In that month two things took place: one is deliverance from Egypt, and the other, setting out towards Canaan. This points to the beginning of our spiritual experiences. Spiritual life begins with salvation which is the forgiveness of sins. Our spiritual growth is accounted from the day we are saved. Observing the Passover every year (Exo.12:14) signifies our remembering our experience of salvation and renewing it in the presence of God. Tenth Day: Ten shows the Law. Jesus came to this world at the end o f the Law period (Rom.10:4). He is the true Paschal Lamb (I Cor.5:7). Through the law one gets the knowledge of sin (Rom.7:7-9). In this manner, when we are convicted through the Word of God that we are sinners, there is a groaning to be delivered from sin s. It is then that we choose the Lord Jesus Christ. (ii) A lamb for a house (Exo.12:3): House shows our body or an individual (II Cor.5:1). Salvation is an experience which each one must receive individually (Jn.1:12,13). Christ tasted death for every man, for each man’s personal salvation (Heb.2:9). (iii) The lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year, taken from the sheep or the goats (Exo.12:5). Without blemish — Jesus was without sin (I Pet.1:19).

(a) His birth was holy (Lk.1:35).

(b) He did no sin (I Pet.2:22).

(c) He knew no sin (II Cor.5:21).

(d) In Him there was no sin (I Jn.3:5). Male: It shows a victorious life. The Lord Jesus Christ overcame the world, Satan, the flesh, self, and sin. He desires that we should also overcome and sit with Him on His throne, even as He overcame and sat on the Father’s throne (Rev.3:21). He overcame death and hell (Isa.25:8; I Cor.15:54,55). Of the first year: Jesus was innocent. Just as a little child does not know sin, in malice we should be children (I Cor.14:20).

2. It should be kept till the fourteenth day (Exo.12:6): The lamb which was taken on the tenth day should be kept for four days. This was done in order to test and prove that the lamb was without blemish. Even so, our Lord’s life was under hostile scrutiny for four years. This was a test which proved His holiness (Lk.11:53,54; Jn.8:46; 18:38). Besides, four days, shows the four Ages of mankind, viz. the periods of Innocence, Conscience, Law and Grace. Jesus was slain for mankind belonging to all these four periods.

3. It was killed in the evening (Exo.12:6): Evening shows the end of a day and the lamb slain in the evening shows that in these last days (Grace Period), Jesus was manifest in the flesh and was slain (I Pet.1:20; Rev.5:9). Evening also speaks of the time when we rest after a day’s labour. Even so, we who laboured and were heavy laden (under the yoke of sin) enter into a rest by believing in the death of Christ.

4. Striking of the blood (Exo.12:7): Striking the blood on the two side posts, and on the upper door post speaks of our hearts being purged by the blood of Jesus (Heb.9:14; 10:19-22). The destroyer not entering the houses on which the blood was sprinkled shows that there is no more punishment fo r sin for those who have received the forgiveness of sins.

5. The manner in which the Passover should be eaten:

(i) The paschal lamb roasted in the fire (Exo.12:9). This speaks of the sufferings that Jesus had to endure for us when He became a sacrifice for us (Isa.53:5). Eating the flesh which was roasted in the fire signifies the blessings that we receive at salvation through the sufferings that He endured on the cross. (ii) With unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exo.12:8): Leaven points to malice and wickedness. We should put off these and live in sincerity and truth (I Cor.5:8). The bitter herbs show a broken and a contrite heart (repenting of one’s sins) (II Cor.7:10; Psa.51:17).

(iii) It should not be eaten raw or sodden with water (Exo.12:9): The experience of salvation should be through the comprehension of the spiritual significance of the cross (sufferings and death of Christ) and not of the letter and also without diluting the spiritual import of the truth in any way. (iv) The head, the l egs and the purtenance should be eaten (Exo.12:9): This speaks of Christ pouring out His soul unto death and becoming the wisdom of God and the power of God in our lives (head — wisdom; legs — power).

(v) With the loins girded, and shoes on the feet, and staff in the hand, it should be eaten in haste (Exo.12:11). Having the loins girded: This speaks of the loins of our mind being girt about with truth and beginning our journey towards heavenly Canaan with a firm determination (I Pet.1:13; Prov.16:32; Eph.6:14). Shoes on the feet: This shows readiness to obey the Word of God in beginning our spiritual journey (Eph.6:15). Staff in hand: This speaks of firmly holding on to the promises of God in escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust in order to partake of the divine nature (II Pet.1:4). Eating in haste: We should not delay to receive the experience of salvation (II Cor.6:2). We should not be negligent (Rom.12:11).

6. Nothing of it shall be left till the morning (Exo.12:10): Having come to the knowledge of truth (light of the morning), we should not leave any sin unconfessed, but confess and forsake them to be fully cleansed by the blood of Jesus and to walk in the light as He is in the light (Prov.28:13; I Jn.1:7-9).