Jan 21, 2010 Exodus 12-14:20

Chapter 12 is the story of The Passover. The simple idea is that God gave the children of Israel very specific instructions about what to do to avoid being killed by the destroyer (portrayed in the movie by the creepy green fog), that by following these steps, their house would be "passed over" by the destroyer.

Every firstborn person or animal would die. Unless some very specific instructions were followed which were given by God to the Israelites. First, lambs were slaughtered at twilight and cooked over fire then eaten while wearing clothing of a specific type and style. The blood was painted on the sides and tops of the doorframe of the houses with a bunch of hyssop and then everyone was to stay inside until morning. This was the sign that the destroyer would leave the people inside that house alone. God told them to mark this day and commemorate it every year as a festival to the Lord. Seven days the people were to eat unleavened bread and the only work allowed was to prepare food for everyone. Anything made with yeast was not allowed to be eaten. There are more rules listed, check it out!

At midnight it happened just as God said it would. There was not an Egyptian house without someone dead.

The Egyptians urged the Hebrews to leave so more of them wouldn't die. (I can only imagine that if I were an Egyptian, I'd be pretty anxious for the Israelites to leave!) They sent them away with gold, silver and clothing, just as God had said. In all, the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years.

Every firstborn was to be consecrated, both men and animals, and every year for a week no yeast was allowed. This was a reminder for every person of the great work that the Lord has done. The firstborn of every animal was to be sacrificed, and a lamb sacrificed to redeem each firstborn person. This foreshadows Jesus Christ and God's sacrifice of his firstborn son redeeming us.

Now Pharaoh thought that the Israelites were wandering around in the land in confusion, and, God hardened his heart. So God had told them to camp near the sea. Naturally Pharaoh had to go after them with all his soldiers, and horses and chariots and caught up with them. Of course the people were terrified and started to regret ever leaving. God told Moses to stretch out his staff and part the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Then the angel of God who had been leading the way moved to the back to separate the Israelites from the Egyptians bring light to the Israelites and darkness to the Egyptians. I wonder about the Israelites who after having seen all of the plagues and signs of their recent experience could be so doubtful about the power of God.

Tomorrow read the rest of Ch 14 to the end of ch 17