The First Passover is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, marking the final act of divine deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 11 and 12, and it serves as the foundation for the annual Jewish festival of Passover, commemorating God's deliverance and the birth of the nation of Israel.

Historical Context

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for several centuries, suffering under harsh conditions. God raised up Moses as a leader to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of His people. After a series of nine plagues that demonstrated God's power and Pharaoh's obstinacy, the stage was set for the tenth and final plague, which would compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

The Institution of Passover

In Exodus 12, God provides Moses and Aaron with specific instructions for the observance of the Passover. Each Israelite household was to select a lamb without blemish, a male a year old, on the tenth day of the month of Nisan. The lamb was to be kept until the fourteenth day, when it would be slaughtered at twilight. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintel of each house where the lamb was eaten.

The Lord instructed the Israelites to eat the lamb roasted with fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They were to eat it in haste, with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand, signifying readiness for departure. This meal was to be a lasting ordinance for generations to come.

The Tenth Plague

The Lord declared that He would pass through Egypt on that night and strike down every firstborn, both man and beast, executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt. The blood on the doorposts would serve as a sign, and when the Lord saw the blood, He would "pass over" that house, sparing the inhabitants from the plague of death. As recorded in Exodus 12:13 , "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

The Exodus

At midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on the throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock. There was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and urged them to leave Egypt with the Israelites, their flocks, and herds. The Egyptians, eager to see the Israelites depart, gave them silver, gold, and clothing, fulfilling God's promise that they would plunder the Egyptians.

Significance and Observance

The First Passover is significant not only as a historical event but also as a theological symbol of redemption and deliverance. It prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death. The Apostle Paul refers to Christ as "our Passover lamb" in 1 Corinthians 5:7 .

The annual observance of Passover serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience to His commands. It is a time for reflection on the cost of redemption and the call to live as a people set apart for God's purposes.