The First Passover (Exodus 12:12-14)

June 27, 2010

I.     Background to the first Passover.
A.     Israel's road to Egypt.
     1.     God turned Joseph's tragedy into a miracle.
          a.     Sold as a slave and sent to Egypt, Gen. 37.
          b.     Second highest leader in all Egypt, Gen. 41.
          c.     Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, Gen. 46.
     2.     The good life turned bad.
          a.     A new Pharaoh began oppression, Ex. 1:8-11a.
          b.     God prepared Moses to confront Pharaoh, Ex. 3-4.
          c.     Ten plagues showed God's power, Ex. 5ff.
B.     The Passover (Last Supper) came with the 10th plague.

II.     The Passover: Judgment and Love mixed, vv. 12-14.
     A.     God's judgment on Egypt's disobedience, v. 12.
          1.     No one in disobedience would be spared, 11:4-5.
          2.     God would show His power over Egypt's gods, v. 12.
     B.     God's love would be extended miraculously to Israel, vv. 13-14.
          1.     A life had to be taken for a life to be saved, vv. 5-6.
          2.     An act of faith: blood on the doorpost, v. 12.
          3.     God deserved heartfelt thanks, v. 14.

III.     The importance of the Passover.
     A.     It is one of the greatest displays of God's power ever.
          1.     God is involved in human life.
          2.     There is no god or power on earth that matches God.
     B.     It demonstrates the seriousness of sin.
          1.     No one can escape God's justice.
          2.     Disobedience leads to death.
     C.     It is a picture of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.
          1.     Our sin caused Jesus to die on the cross.
          2.     Through Jesus God passes over our sin: grace.
          3.     No other sacrifice will ever be needed.

Personal Challenges
1.     Set aside a time of self-examination this week.
     a.     Read Exodus 11-12:13.
     b.     Consider the seriousness of sin.
     c.     Admit your failures to God and ask forgiveness.
     d.     Thank God for forgiveness.
2.     Do you know God in a personal relationship?