Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the lamb offered in sacrifice is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Passover, a pivotal event in the history of Israel. The Passover lamb is a central symbol of deliverance and redemption, reflecting God's covenantal relationship with His people.Biblical Foundation The institution of the Passover is recorded in the Book of Exodus, where God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb as part of the final plague that would lead to their liberation from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 12:3-6 , God instructs Moses and Aaron: "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household... Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats. You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight." The lamb was to be without blemish, symbolizing purity and perfection, and its blood was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses. This act of faith and obedience would result in the Lord passing over the homes of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:7, 13): "They are to take some of the blood and put it on the two side posts and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs... The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike the land of Egypt." Symbolism and Significance The Passover lamb serves as a profound symbol of substitutionary atonement. The death of the lamb in place of the firstborn sons of Israel prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Apostle Paul explicitly connects Christ to the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 : "Get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." The annual observance of Passover became a lasting ordinance for the Israelites, a time to remember God's deliverance and to teach future generations about His mighty acts (Exodus 12:24-27). The lamb's sacrifice was not only a historical event but also a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness and the cost of redemption. Theological Implications The sacrificial lamb at Passover underscores the themes of redemption, deliverance, and divine protection. It highlights the necessity of a sacrificial substitute to atone for sin and to avert divine judgment. This typology finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament, where Jesus is portrayed as the perfect and final Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings eternal redemption to all who believe. The Passover lamb also emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith in God's promises. The Israelites' act of applying the blood to their doorposts was a tangible expression of their trust in God's word and His power to save. This act of faith is mirrored in the Christian call to trust in the sacrificial work of Christ for salvation. In summary, the lamb offered in sacrifice at the Passover is a foundational element of biblical theology, rich with symbolism and prophetic significance, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:3,6,7Speak you to all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Spiritual Meaning of the Passover. Christ Our Passover At the Birth of the Son, There was a Great Shouting in Bethlehem The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!' Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ... The Passover visit Christ's Ministry Begins. The First Disciples. The Only Atoning Priest The Crucifixion Resources What is the marriage supper of the Lamb? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Agnus Dei? | GotQuestions.org What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Lamb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Lamb: Not to be Seethed (Boiled) in Its own Mother's Milk The Lamb of Any Thing Dear or Cherished The Lamb of Christ As a Sacrifice The Lamb: (Among Wolves) of Ministers Among the Ungodly The Lamb: (Brought to Slaughter) of the Wicked Under Judgments The Lamb: (Consumed in Sacrifice) of Complete Destruction of The The Lamb: (Deserted and Exposed) of Israel Deprived of God's The Lamb: (Patience of) the Patience of Christ The Lamb: An Extensive Commerce In The Lamb: Considered a Great Delicacy The Lamb: Covenants Confirmed by Gift of The Lamb: Exposed to Danger from Wild Beasts The Lamb: Numbers of, Given by Josiah to the People for Sacrifice The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice by the Wicked not Accepted The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: At a Year Old The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: At the Passover The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Every Morning and Evening The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Females The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: from the Earliest Times The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: Males The Lamb: Offered in Sacrifice: While Sucking The Lamb: The First Born of an Donkey to be Redeemed With The Lamb: The Image of, Was the First Impression of on Money The Lamb: The Shepherd's Care For The Lamb: The Young of the Flock The Lamb: Tribute often Paid In Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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