The First Passover

Context

After generations in Egypt, the Israelites had become a vast people, but Pharaoh, Egypt’s king, still would not release them. Moses and Aaron had stood before him as God’s messengers and performed wonders, yet Pharaoh refused to listen.

Israel now faced a decisive night. God was about to make a clear distinction between Egypt and Israel, and he would shape that night into a lasting act of worship and remembrance. The people needed to follow his instructions before they saw what he would do.

Story

God told Moses that one more plague would come upon Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, Pharaoh would let Israel go and would drive the people out completely. In preparation, the Israelite men and women were to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and Moses himself was highly respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the people of Egypt.

Moses warned Pharaoh that around midnight the Lord would go through Egypt. Every firstborn would die, from Pharaoh’s own heir to the firstborn of a servant working at a hand mill, along with the firstborn of the livestock. A great cry would rise throughout the land. Among the Israelites, however, not even a dog would bark at a person or animal. The Lord would make a clear distinction between Egypt and Israel.

Moses said that Pharaoh’s officials would come and urge him and all the Israelites to leave. Then Moses left Pharaoh in fierce anger. Pharaoh still would not listen. Although Moses and Aaron had performed God’s wonders before him, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he refused to release Israel.

The Lord then gave Moses and Aaron instructions for every Israelite household. This month would become the first month of their year, marking a new beginning. Each household was to choose a one-year-old male from the sheep or goats, an animal without defect.

On the appointed evening, the families were to slaughter the animals and brush some of the blood on the top and sides of their doorways. No one was to go outside before morning. Inside, they would eat the meat roasted over fire, together with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. They would eat dressed for travel, with sandals on their feet and staffs in their hands, ready to leave in haste. This was the Lord’s Passover.

That same night, the Lord would pass through Egypt, striking the firstborn and bringing judgment against Egypt’s gods. But the blood would be a sign on the Israelite houses.

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Where the Lord saw the blood, he would pass over that doorway and would not allow the destroyer to enter.

God also told Israel to remember this day throughout the generations. They would keep the Passover year after year and eat bread without yeast for seven days. When their children asked what the Passover meant, parents were to explain how the Lord had passed over the Israelite homes in Egypt and spared their households.

When Moses gave these instructions to Israel’s elders, the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then they went and did exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.

At midnight, the Lord struck the firstborn throughout Egypt. The loss reached from Pharaoh’s palace to the captive’s dungeon, as well as the livestock. Pharaoh, his officials, and the Egyptians rose during the night, and a great cry went up across the land. There was no Egyptian household untouched by death.

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron that very night. He told them to take the Israelites and leave. They could take their flocks and herds and go serve the Lord as they had requested. He even asked them to bless him.

The Egyptians urged the Israelites to hurry, fearing they would all die. The people took their dough while it was still unleavened. As Moses had instructed, they also received silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians, for the Lord had given them favor.

The Israelites set out with their families and livestock. Since they had been driven out before they could prepare food, they baked unleavened cakes from the dough they carried.

The night of their deliverance was to be remembered in honor of the Lord for generations to come. On that very day, the Lord brought his people out of Egypt, company by company.

What We Learned

• God’s deliverance came with a word to trust and instructions to obey. Israel marked the doors and remained inside before seeing the outcome.
• Passover holds judgment and mercy together: God judged Egypt and its gods, while the blood he appointed marked the Israelite homes to be passed over.
• Freedom gave Israel a new beginning. Their calendar, shared meal, unleavened bread, and yearly feast kept God’s deliverance at the center of their life.
• God intended his saving work to be remembered at home. The questions of children became opportunities to tell what the Lord had done.