“Deliverance”
Introduction
- Deliverance from what? Physical or spiritual? Deliverance now as well as later.
- Deliverance to what?
Background (11:1 – 13:16)
Promise of Deliverance (11:1-10)
- Nine plagues inflicted upon Egypt, each specifically targeting one of Egypt’s Gods.
- Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh. Moses tells Pharaoh of impending 10th plague (death of all firstborns).
- Israel will be spared.
Preparation of Deliverance (12:1-28)
- Instructions of Passover meal given.
- Instructions for that night given.
- Instructions to observe / remember this event each year.
Act of Deliverance (12:29-42)
- Death angel visits Egypt.
- Exodus of Israel from Egypt.
- Instructions for annual Passover given.
Remembrance of Deliverance (12:43 – 13:16)
- Dedication of 1stborn to the Lord (foundation of Levitical priesthood).
- Explanation of what is happening and why to the children.
In-depth Study (12:1-14)
Themes
- New Beginning (1-5)
- Urgency (6-11)
- Mercy (12-13)
- Remembrance (14)
New Beginning (vss 1-5)
Verse 1
- Instructions given BEFORE the event.
- Moses and Aaron from tribe of Levi (example of obedience for coming Levitical priesthood).
Verse 2
- Month = Abib. By changing to this time as new year, differentiates them as a people from Canaanites.
- Begin year by focusing on God’s deliverance. Enter the new year trusting in God’s continued deliverance now and in the future.
- First in order and in estimation.
- This event was so significant it ‘changed time’ for the Israelites, just as Jesus’ coming changed it again. First pointing to Jesus in this study.
- Now, we have a new beginning in Christ through repentance and faith.
Verses 3 & 4
- Focus is on Family and community.
- Despite this focus, when Jesus celebrated the Passover before His crucifixion, He did so with the disciples, not His mother, father, and brothers. Under the new covenant, all who have experienced deliverance through repentance and faith in Christ become His family.
Verse 5
- Sick or injured animals could not rightly symbolize the perfect deliverance of His people by the perfect God.
- Jesus is our Passover lamb.
Urgency (vss 6-11)
Verse 6
- Practical – allowed for quick slaughter.
- Caring for the best, healthiest animal of the flock in the prime of its life for four days lead to the realization of just how much killing it was going to cost the family and how important the event was. Likely one of the most valuable things they owned.
- Christ was ‘kept’ for 4 days.
- Our deliverance was likewise exceedingly costly.
Verse 7
- Knew life was in the blood and the only way to atone for sin was through the shedding of blood (Lev 17:11). The substitutionary symbolism of the blood on the doorposts would not have been missed by the Israelites.
- Blood not needed to identify which house was which. Rather, indication of faith and obedience.
- Blood on vertical and horizontal pieces of wood, for me, recalls the images of Christ on the cross.
- Commentary: “Faith is the bunch of hyssop, by which we apply the promises, and the benefits of the blood of Christ laid up in them, to ourselves. It was to be sprinkled on the door-posts, denoting the open profession we are to make of faith in Christ. It was not to be sprinkled upon the threshold; which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the covenant. It is precious blood, and must be precious to us. The blood of Christ is the believer’s protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell. (Romans 8:1, 3)”
Verse 8
- Roasting = quickest way of cooking; no water needed and no pots / pans to clean after.
- Leavened bread took time. Unleavened was quick. Used same fire that cooked the meat.
- Bitter herds were plentiful, quick to find, and quick and easy to prepare.
- Leaven (yeast) goes on to become symbol of sin and evil. Foreshadow of that symbolism.
- Bitter herbs symbolizes and reminds of the bitterness of the suffering and slavery of Egypt.
- Commentary: “The solemn eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel duty to Christ. The Passover lamb was not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon. So we must by faith make Christ our own; and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from Him, as from our food. (John 6:53, 55) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs, in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt; we must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin. Christ will be sweet to us, if sin is bitter.”
Verse 9
- This instruction given for expediency – no time to thoroughly dress / process the animal. But cannot undercook it or employ alternate cooking methods – obedience.
Verse 10
- No time for leftovers – will be leaving soon.
- Forced to put faith in God for their provision – do not need the leftovers.
- Completeness – complete preparation, complete sacrifice, complete deliverance, complete obedience.
- Commentary: “It was all to be eaten; those who by faith feed upon Christ, must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and His yoke, Christ and His cross, as well as Christ and His crown. It was to be eaten at once, not put by till morning. Today Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called today, before we sleep the sleep of death.”
Verse 11
- Typically removed sandals when inside.
- Shepherds normally leave their staffs outside.
- Drives home the sense of urgency and preparedness.
- We need to appreciate the urgency of doing as the Lord commands concerning our deliverance and the deliverance of others and of being ready to do what He tells us to do or go where He tells us to go.
Mercy (vss 12-13)
Verse 12
- Families were multiple generational. Many houses lost multiple members. Flocks / herds lost many animals.
- Plagues demonstrated inability of Egyptian gods to protect / prosper their people and the omnipotence of God.
- Those who died placed their trust in deities that were not real. Toleration of such idols contradicted the very nature of the one true God. He sent nine plagues that undermined the Egyptians’ entire religious system, yet they failed to acknowledge the He is God. Therefore, the Lord determined to strike one final blow against their Gods.
- This was idolatry. Idolatry is universal. What are your idols? We all have some to one degree or another. TV, sports, games, children, spouse, internet, etc.
- Jewish tradition tells that the idols of Egypt were all broken into pieces on this night.
Verse 13
- All aspects of the Israelites’ freedom from Egypt were 100% not of their own doing. All was from God.
- While Israelites were not perfect, God did not strike them – only Egyptians = mercy.
- We also have instructions for our salvation – repentance and faith. If we are outside of it, like the Israelites, we will suffer His wrath.
Remembrance (vs 14)
- Deliverance was to be remembered = Passover celebration each year.
- Deliverance did not solve the sin problem.
- Passover transformed by Jesus into today’s Communion / Lord’s Supper. Recalls our deliverance from sin as an expression of His grace, the new covenant, His promised return, the high price paid for our deliverance, and a new homeland that is eternal not temporal.
- Instructions given before the sacrifice.
Verse-by-Verse New Testament Parallels
There are parallels in the New Testament to the meaning, purpose, or focus of almost every verse in this section of the Old Testament.
Vs 1 – If you love me, obey my commandments. (John 14:1)
Vs 2 – Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2Cor 5:17) They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:13)
Vss 3-4 – When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. (Luke 22:14) To all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12) You have received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! (1John 3:1)
Vs 5 – John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed for us. (1Cor 5: 7b) God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1Peter 1:18-19)
Vs 6 – Gospels document the presentation of Jesus 4 days before the Passover and His crucifixion and burial within 24 hours of the Passover meal. (Mark 11-15)
Vs 7 – You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and man, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24) If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7)
Vss 8-9 – Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees – their hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1b) This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads throughout the whole batch of dough. (Gal 5:9 and 1Cor 5:6)
Vs 10 – Jesus said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and died. (John 19:30) But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him. (1John 2:5)
Vs 11 – You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. (Matthew 24:44) Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. (Luke 12:35, anticipating Jesus’ return.) He will reward the servants who are ready. (Luke 12:38b)
Vs 12 – Because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5) All have sinned; all have fallen short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)
Vs 13 – He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. (Eph 1:7) They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. (Rev 7:14)
Vs 14 – This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19)
Conclusion
As believers, we have been delivered. First and foremost from sin into everlasting life, but also from the problems of this world; they still occur, but because of Christ and through His power, we can endure and have hope through them. We can experience the deliverance now. We should remember communion and baptism and the promises they contain. We should trust them and live like we believe them. We need to share this amazing truth with someone this week. There are people all around each of us that don’t have this deliverance. Are you ready to follow God? Are you ready to go? Do you remember and/or commemorate your salvation/deliverance? If not, maybe you should.
