Exodus

The Exodus is a foundational event in the history of Israel, marking the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, and is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Old Testament.

The Israelites had been living in Egypt for several generations, initially settling there during a time of famine under the protection of Joseph, a son of Jacob who had risen to prominence in the Egyptian government. Over time, the Israelites grew numerous, and a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, perceived them as a threat. Consequently, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and subjected them to harsh labor (Exodus 1:8-14).

God heard the cries of His people and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He chose Moses, a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh's household, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God revealed Himself to Moses in the form of a burning bush and commissioned him to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites (Exodus 3:1-10).

Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go. In response, God sent a series of ten plagues upon Egypt, each demonstrating His power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself. The plagues culminated in the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household, an event that finally compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites (Exodus 12:29-31).

The Israelites departed from Egypt in haste, taking with them the wealth of the Egyptians as God had promised (Exodus 12:35-36). They journeyed to the Red Sea, where God miraculously parted the waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground. The pursuing Egyptian army was drowned when the waters returned (Exodus 14:21-28).

The Exodus is not only a historical event but also a theological symbol of redemption and deliverance. It prefigures the ultimate deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ, as noted in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul writes, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7), drawing a direct connection between the Passover and the sacrifice of Jesus.

Passover

The Passover is a Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the sparing of the Israelite firstborn during the tenth plague. God instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover as a lasting ordinance for the Israelites (Exodus 12:14).

On the night of the tenth plague, the Israelites were commanded to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This sign would cause the Lord to "pass over" their houses, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:7, 12-13).

The Passover meal, or Seder, was to be eaten in haste, with the Israelites dressed for travel. The meal included roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery and the haste of their departure (Exodus 12:8-11).

The Passover became an annual observance, serving as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It is a time for the Jewish people to reflect on their history and identity as God's chosen people. The festival also holds significant typological importance for Christians, as it foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

In the New Testament, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper, instituting the Lord's Supper as a new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:14-20). This act established a connection between the Passover and the redemptive work of Christ, highlighting the continuity of God's salvation plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.