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Exodus 10:1-12:51<\/strong><\/span> In Exodus chapter 10 today we read about the Plague of Locusts!\u00a0 In ancient times locust plagues were greatly feared and were often considered to be a sign of divine judgment.<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Next up is the plague of darkness.\u00a0 Some Biblical commentaries have found Pharaoh\u2019s statement to Moses to be quite appropriate and ironic that he said this during the plague of darkness in 10:28: \u201cThe day you see my face you will die.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Apparently Moses couldn\u2019t quite fully see Pharaoh\u2019s face during the plague of darkness?\u00a0 Makes sense to me.\u00a0 Commentaries have also suggested that this verse was a death threat to Moses, and that this death threat was responded to with the coming plague on the firstborns of Egypt, including Pharaoh\u2019s son.\u00a0 Below is an image of the plague of darkness:<\/span> In Exodus chapter 11 we read in verses 4 & 5: \u201cSo Moses announced to Pharaoh, \u201cThis is what the LORD says: About midnight I will pass through Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave. Even the firstborn of the animals will die.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 And an appropriate image for this announcement might be this \u2013 (except for the fact that they were in the midst of the plague of darkness\u2026 so this image should have the lights turned off.\u00a0 Oh well\u2026 \ud83d\ude42<\/span> Today we read in Exodus chapter 12 about God giving Moses and Aaron instructions on the First Passover.\u00a0 Verse 2 stands out: \u201cFrom now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Here we see that God is actually instituting a new religious calendar for the Hebrews with the month that Passover is in being the first month of the calendar year.\u00a0 This month is in the March-April spring timeframe and is called Abib or Nisan in Hebrew.\u00a0 The feasts that were and are celebrated in this 1st month were \u2013 Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits.\u00a0 Here is a very interesting note on the Jewish calendar from the NIV Study Bible \u2013 \u201cIn the ancient Near East, new year festivals normally coincided with the new season of life in nature.\u00a0 The designation of this month as Israel\u2019s religious New Year reminded Israel that its life as the people of God was grounded in God\u2019s redemptive act in the Exodus\u2026 Israel\u2019s agricultural calendar began in the fall, and during the monarchy it dominated the nation\u2019s civil calendar.\u00a0 Both calendars (civil and religious) existed side by side until after the exile.\u00a0 Judaism today uses only the calendar that begins in the fall.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Below is an image of the Jewish religious calendar:<\/span> The significance of Passover was that God was introducing the concept of a sacrifice or a substitute for a life.\u00a0 The lamb was sacrificed as a substitute for the Hebrews first-born sons.\u00a0 The blood of the lamb was placed on the doorposts as a sign that the household had sacrificed an innocent life \u2013 the lamb.\u00a0 By the blood of the unblemished\/perfect lamb, the household was protected from death.\u00a0 This is a foreshadowing of Jesus\u2019 ministry.\u00a0 Jesus is the sacrificial lamb for us.\u00a0 He was a substitute for us and our sins.\u00a0 He was an innocent unblemished\/perfect lamb \u2013 sinless.\u00a0 By Jesus\u2019 blood, we are protected from eternal death.\u00a0 Do you see the parallels between Passover and Jesus\u2019 death on the cross?<\/span> Exodus chapter 12 verse 11 is of note: \u201cWear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal, as though prepared for a long journey. Wear your sandals, and carry your walking sticks in your hands. Eat the food quickly, for this is the LORD\u2019s Passover.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 By wearing their traveling clothes, the Hebrews were faithfully acknowledging God\u2019s Word that they would very soon be freed from slavery and bondage in Egypt.\u00a0 The Exodus would soon begin! And the traveling clothes signified that the Hebrews were ready for the journey!\u00a0 How about us today?\u00a0 Do you think that God may still call us on journeys today?\u00a0 Do you think that God might be calling you on a journey this year?\u00a0 If so, will you be ready for the call?\u00a0 Will you wear your \u201ctraveling clothes\u201d, so that when the \u201cExodus\u201d comes, you are ready for it?\u00a0 Below is a\u00a0sketch by 19th century English painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti\u00a0showing the Israelites wearing their traveling clothes for the Exodus:<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on the plagues of Exodus titled \u201cThe Finger of God\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary on \u201cThe Passover and the Plague of the Firstborn\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n This is a big day in our readings today \u2013 The Israelites officially begin their exodus from Egypt!\u00a0 Today in Exodus chapter 12 we read about God instituting the Festival of Unleavened Bread along with Passover.\u00a0 These both are still observed today by practicing Jews.\u00a0 Verse 14 states the importance of these festivals to the Israelites:\u00a0 \u201cYou must remember this day forever. Each year you will celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD.\u201d<\/em><\/span> <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Chapter 12 verses 29 & 30 tell us: \u201cAnd that night at midnight, the Lord<\/span> struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Below is Dutch painter Laurens Alma Tadema\u2019s \u201cDeath of the Pharaoh\u2019s Firstborn Son\u201d from the year 1872:<\/span> Verses 37 & 38 are amazing: \u201cThat night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 600,000 men equals probably at least 1.2 million people all together \u2013 and probably close to 2 million.\u00a0 This is a massive Exodus!\u00a0 Verse 38 is very interesting in that some Egyptians were joining the Israelites in this Exodus!\u00a0 Think these Egyptians believed in God?<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Matthew West\u2019s song \u201cTruth Be Told:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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