What does the timing of the sacrifice in Exodus 12:6 signify for believers today? The Command in Exodus 12:6 “You must care for it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.” Key Observations • Fourteenth day – the exact midpoint of the first month (Abib/Nisan) • Whole assembly – united obedience of every household • Twilight – literally “between the evenings,” a phrase understood as the period between the sun’s decline and sunset, roughly 3 p.m.–6 p.m. Why the Fourteenth Day Matters • God’s sovereign calendar – He fixed the date; Israel did not. – Galatians 4:4 affirms Jesus came “when the fullness of the time had come.” • Full moon imagery – A full moon lit Israel’s midnight departure (Exodus 12:29-31). – For believers today: salvation is not a vague hope in the dark; it is carried out in God’s clear, revealed light (1 John 1:5-7). • Complete preparation period – The lamb lived with each family four days (Exodus 12:3, 6), allowing inspection for blemish. – Christ likewise lived under public scrutiny; Pilate declared, “I find no fault in Him” (John 18:38). The Significance of “Between the Evenings” • Prophetic alignment with Christ’s crucifixion – “At about the ninth hour Jesus cried out…” (Matthew 27:46-50). – The Passover lambs were slain at the very window when Jesus died. • Urgency and intentionality – Twilight is a narrow band of time; obedience could not be delayed. – Ephesians 5:15-16 calls believers to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.” • Transition from bondage to freedom – The day ends in darkness, yet it ushers in deliverance. – Colossians 1:13: He “rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” United Participation • “Whole assembly” points to corporate identity – Israel’s salvation was experienced together; the church lives out redemption together (1 Peter 2:9-10). • Collective witness – Each household’s obedience testified to neighbors; our communal worship and proclamation point others to the Lamb (Revelation 5:9). Practical Takeaways for Believers Today • Trust God’s precise timing – He orchestrated both Passover and Calvary; He governs the seasons of our lives (Ecclesiastes 3:1). • Guard the gospel’s purity – The lamb had to be perfect; we uphold the unblemished truth of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). • Act without delay – Salvation requires decisive response; sanctification calls for daily, timely obedience (Hebrews 3:13). • Celebrate redemption as a community – Regular gathering around the Lord’s Table echoes the shared Passover meal (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Closing Reflection The precise moment of the Passover sacrifice is a divine marker that points straight to Jesus’ death and reminds us that our God is exact, faithful, and purposeful. Living in light of that timing means walking in readiness, unity, and confident expectation that the same God who kept His schedule in Egypt and at Calvary will keep every promise He has made to His people today. |
    |