ExodusExodus Fickle People – Steadfast God Lesson 6 – The 10 th Plague (Pt 2) Passover, Feasts, and Memorials

Migdol Marah Elim miles 200 miles

The 10th Plague Exodus 11:1-13:16 o God enriched His people, punished Egypt o God’s will clearly stated and carried out o First Born: sacrifice, sanctification, consecration o Continued contrast between steadfastness of God and fickleness of Man

Sequence of Events God announces final plague Moses delivers the message God gives detailed instruction for Passover God establishes Feast of Unleavened Bread Israelites observe God’s instruction God strikes down firstborn of Egypt Pharaoh releases Israelites Israelites leave Goshen/land of Egypt Sanctification and consecration of Israelite firstborn

Timing of It All Time of year – March/April (Ex 9:31-32, 10:5) “This month shall be the beginning of months for you” (Ex 12:2) “On the tenth of this month…take a lamb” (Ex 12:3) “keep it until the fourteenth day…kill it at twilight” (Ex 12:6) Meal, eaten in single night, in readiness (Ex 12:8, 11) Firstborn of Egypt killed that night (Ex 12:29) Israelites depart in the morning (Ex 12:30-41, Num 33:3-5) How long until they crossed the sea? (note Ex 13:20-14:3) 10+ days?

Passover Lamb – Unblemished male, one year old (sheep or goat) – Israel kills in unison, carrying out the will of God as one, household by household – Entire lamb roasted with fire, eaten completely, or remnants destroyed by fire (note Ex 12:39…‘no provision’…why?) Meal eaten in a state of readiness (Ex 12:11) There is a totality to this event, a comprehensiveness – Death of all firstborn among Egyptians – All Israelite families participate in Passover meal – All the sacrificed lamb is consumed, either in eating or by fire – Life-sustaining blood is shed in sacrifice to save life Only those who obeyed the will of God were saved…but all of those who obeyed were saved

Feast of Unleavened Bread A seven-day feast (Ex 12:14-20, 13:6-8) – Begins with removal of yeast; nothing leavened eaten all week – Begin and end the feast week with a ‘holy assembly’ God demands strict compliance – Violators ‘cut off’ (Ex 12:15,19…also Gen 17:14, Ex 31:14, Num 9:13, 1Cor 11:27-29) Participation Passover meal – Israelites – Slaves (12:44) and strangers staying as guests (12:48)…only if circumcised and desiring to participate – No foreigner (Ex 12:43) or hired servant (12:45)

Memorials – Why? Passover – to remember – Ex 12:14, 17, 24-27, 42; 13:8-9, What is the role of ritual? – Shared adversity…the bonds that are formed – Shared commemorations – A human need to be reminded – But are there also dangers? Ritualistic observance without meaning or sincerity The Lord’s Supper – “Remember me” – 1 Cor 11:23-26 – Occurred concurrent with Passover meal – Transfer of one saving act to another, both by the power of God

What's the point to this story? Saving power of God Seriousness of God, expectation of adherence to instruction Once again provides means for Man to be saved Provides opportunity for all, so long as Man observes God’s will

Exodus: Fickle People—Steadfast God July 12 – Overview July 19—Joseph to Moses: Consequences of a Steadfast Faith July 26—Moses: Prepared for the Task Aug 2—The Plagues, 1-9 Aug 9—The Tenth Plague (Part 1) Aug 16—The Tenth Plague (Part 2) – Passover, Feasts, Memorials Aug 23—Exodus from Egypt Aug 30—Songs and Prayers Sep 6—Mount Sinai Sep 13—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 1) Sep 20—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 2) Sep 27—A Mighty Culmination…and Beginning Bonus – Odd things