Exodus 12:1-28

Read Exodus 12:1-28 

Helpful Background Information: 

• Exodus was written by Moses when the Israelites were in the wilderness. One of the reasons he was writing their history down so they could better understand why they had a heart/obedience problem. From the fall of creation to disobedience in the wilderness, the people would be able to see why there was suffering.

• Leading up to chapter 12, we are in the story of how the Israelites became slaves in Egypt, we meet Moses and hear how God protected his life and called him to bring the people of Israel to the Promised Land. We pick up chapter 12 with the threat of the 10th and final plague—death of the first born. We read that the Israelites need to be ready to go! The death of the first born happened at midnight and that night they left Egypt. 

• God was showing who He was and His power to His people and the Egyptians with each plague that came. The Passover was to be a yearly reminder to God’s people that they had been saved and rescued by a mighty God. God placed rules around how they needed to observe the Passover but that was because those details would be played out during the Last Supper and on the cross by Jesus. 

Reflection Questions: 

• What does our passage today say about God and His character?

• In this descriptive text, how can you allow this passage to renew your faithfulness to God like it did for Josiah?

• Moses tells the people in verse 27 why they should celebrate the Passover. In your own words, why should they observe Passover? Does this change your way of thinking when it comes to our time of Communion?