Topical Encyclopedia Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan and His covenant relationship with His people. The observance of Passover is intricately linked to the place designated by God, emphasizing the importance of obedience and worship in the location He chooses.Biblical Foundation The institution of Passover is recorded in Exodus 12, where God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. This act would spare them from the plague of the firstborn, which God sent upon Egypt. The Lord instructed, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come" (Exodus 12:14). Designated Place of Observance Initially, the Passover was observed in the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. However, as the Israelites journeyed to the Promised Land, God established a central place of worship. Deuteronomy 16:5-6 states, "You are not to sacrifice the Passover animal in any of the towns the LORD your God is giving you. You must only offer the Passover sacrifice at the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name." This directive underscores the importance of unity and centralization in worship, as well as the significance of the location chosen by God. The designated place was eventually established in Jerusalem, where the Temple became the focal point of Jewish worship and the site for the annual Passover pilgrimage. Historical Observance Throughout Israel's history, the observance of Passover at the designated place was a marker of faithfulness to God's commands. During the reign of King Josiah, a significant Passover celebration took place in Jerusalem, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19. Josiah's reforms and the subsequent Passover observance were seen as a return to the covenantal faithfulness that God required. The centralization of Passover observance in Jerusalem continued into the New Testament period. Jesus Himself observed Passover in Jerusalem, as noted in the Gospels. Luke 22:7-8 recounts, "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.'" Theological Significance The requirement to observe Passover at the place designated by God highlights the themes of obedience, community, and divine presence. It reflects the understanding that worship is not merely a personal or private act but a communal one that aligns with God's ordained order. The centralization of worship in Jerusalem prefigures the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin. In the Christian tradition, the observance of Passover is seen as a foreshadowing of the Last Supper and the institution of the Lord's Supper, where Jesus reinterprets the Passover meal in light of His impending sacrifice. This connection underscores the continuity of God's salvation history and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 16:5-7You may not sacrifice the passover within any of your gates, which the LORD your God gives you: Nave's Topical Index Library Sacred Times --The Lord's Day. The Ceremonies and Discipline Op the Church as Illustrated by ... Go Teach all Nations The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ... The Great Crisis in Popular Feeling - the Last Discourses in the ... Jewish Homes Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ... The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ... In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... The Mystery Resources How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Passover Lamb? How is Jesus our Passover Lamb? | GotQuestions.org Should Christians celebrate Passover? | GotQuestions.org Passover: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Passover: Christ Called "Our Passover" Passover: Jesus Crucified at the Time of Passover: Jesus in the Temple Courtyard at the Time of Passover: Observation of, Renewed by Hezekiah Passover: Observation of, Renewed by Josiah Passover: Observation of, Renewed by the Israelites Upon Entering Canaan Passover: Observation of, Renewed: After the Return from Babylonian Captivity Passover: Observed at the Place Designated by God Passover: Observed With Unleavened Bread (No Yeast) Passover: Penalty for Neglecting to Observe Passover: Peter Imprisoned at the Time of Passover: Prisoner Released At, by the Romans Passover: Re-Instituted by Ezekiel Passover: Strangers Authorized to Celebrate Passover: The Lamb Killed by Levites, for Those Who Were Ceremonially Unclean Passover: The Lamb of, a Type of Christ Passover: The Lord's Supper Ordained At Related Terms Passover-offering (7 Occurrences) Passover-offerings (4 Occurrences) |
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