Exodus 12 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 12 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

God predicted that Abraham's descendants would experience a long period of captivity (Genesis 15:13–14). Abraham's grandson, Jacob, also named Israel (Genesis 32:28), moved his family into Egypt (Genesis 47:5–6, 10–11). Not long after, Israel's hosts became their captors (Exodus 1:8–14). God sent Moses (Exodus 3:10) to lead the people into freedom. This involved a series of divine judgments on Egypt (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). The last of these was predicted in the prior chapter (Exodus 11:4–6).

Moses has just finished angrily delivering a dire threat to the stubborn king of Egypt (Exodus 11:8–10). Now God instructs Moses and Aaron about what comes next. These events will be remembered for the rest of Israel's history—for all time to come. The Hebrew calendar will be reset to make this the first month of the year. At the time, this was called Abib, now known as Nisan (Exodus 12:1–2).

Each household in Israel is to prepare a perfect one-year-old lamb on the tenth day of what is now the first month. These requirements ensure that the animal is valuable and that sacrificing it will come at a noticeable cost. On the fourteenth evening of the month, each household is to sacrifice the lamb and apply its blood to the doorway of their home. The lamb is roasted whole and eaten with unleavened bread, made from dough with no yeast. The Israelites are to eat this meal dressed for travel (Exodus 12:3–11).

That night, God will send some kind of "destroyer" into Egypt. He will make good on his threats against Egypt (Exodus 4:21–23). However, the lamb's blood will cause that judgment to "pass over" in peace. This series of symbols foreshadows the sacrificial ministry of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19). Trusting in God's promises about the sacrifice spares Israel from terrible tragedy (Exodus 12:12–13).

In the future, Israel is to remember these events. This includes a week-long period of avoiding leaven. "Leaven" is the yeast which makes dough rise. Removing leaven from the home and eating unleavened bread reminds people of two major points. First, that God prepared Israel for their freedom by having them prepare unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8). Second, leaven becomes a common metaphor for sin and the need to utterly remove it from our lives (Exodus 12:14–20).

Moses gives the people further instructions about applying lamb's blood to their doors. He reminds them that this blood will be the sign for divine wrath to "pass over" them. Future generations are to observe this. It is also crucial that parents teach their children the exact origin and meaning of their traditions. The people hear these words and follow God's instructions (Exodus 12:21–28).

The most tragic of the ten plagues strikes Egypt exactly as predicted (Exodus 11:4–6). During the night, every home in Egypt experiences death. The "firstborn"—the primary heirs—are all killed. This strikes livestock, prisoners, commoners, and even claims the son of Egypt's pharaoh. After much resistance (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) and dishonesty (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20), Pharaoh is completely broken and gives Israel an unconditional release (Exodus 12:29–32).

After seeing the terrible plagues, Egyptians would have been intimidated, even terrified, of the Israelites and their leaders (Exodus 11:1–3). This last plague convinces them that continuing to resist would mean total annihilation. They do not merely allow their former slaves to leave. Rather, the Egyptians demand the Hebrews leave immediately. In this context, that means at that very instant, in the middle of the night. Because the people were prepared with additional wealth, full stomachs and unleavened dough (Exodus 12:8), plus travelling clothes (Exodus 12:11), they are ready to make their exodus as soon as possible. After centuries of oppression (Exodus 1:11–14), they are free (Exodus 12:33–42).

As the people leave, Moses and Aaron are given additional directions on how Israel is to remember this first Passover. A crucial requirement is restricting the celebration to those who are circumcised (Genesis 17:10–14). This shows that the Lord's definition of His "chosen people" (Deuteronomy 14:2) went beyond ethnicity. Those who were not born into Israel could fully participate if they followed the covenant. Once again, the people have obeyed and are leaving Egypt behind in a single coordinated group (Exodus 12:43–51).

Exodus 12:1–28 records the Lord's instructions for the first observation of Passover. The Israelites are to sacrifice lambs and prepare a specific set of foods. These must be eaten while dressed for travel. The lamb's blood is to be collected at the threshold of the door and then applied to the top and side posts. On that first Passover, God will kill the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 11:4–6). Houses marked with the lamb's blood will be spared: God's judgment will "pass over" them without harm (Exodus 11:7). This event will establish a new start for Israel's yearly calendar. It is to be commemorated every year by using various symbolic elements. Future generations are to be carefully taught the meaning of these things.

Exodus 12:29–32 describes the tenth (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and most devastating of the Lord's judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). As promised (Exodus 11:4–6), God kills every firstborn in Egypt, from the lowliest animals to the Egyptian king's own family. Only the Israelites, whose homes are marked with lamb's blood, are spared (Exodus 12:23). Reeling from the death of his own son, Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 4:21–23).

Exodus 12:33–42 depicts the moment for which this book is named. This is the literal "exodus," or "exit" of Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:8–14). After more than four centuries, Jacob's descendants are finally free (Genesis 47:5–6). After the horrific tenth plague (Exodus 12:29–32), the Egyptians want the Israelites gone as soon as possible. The former slaves quickly gather everything they own and leave in a single group. This event is remembered each year during the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Exodus 12:43–51 expands on future remembrances of Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:33–42). God connects Passover rituals to the identifying rite of circumcision (Genesis 17:9–11). Only those who identify with the Lord through circumcision can participate. Israel has obeyed these commands and is now leaving Egypt in a single massive group. Instructions about festivals will be provided in the next chapter.

Chapter Summary:

Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.

Chapter Context:

Moses was sent to lead Israel into freedom (Exodus 3:10). This meant announcing the Lord's supernatural judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–21). After nine such disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), a tenth was promised (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6). In this chapter, God provides instructions for Israel to both survive and commemorate this first Passover night. Egypt reels from the death of its firstborn and demands Israel leave that very night. More directions about the future are to come (Exodus 13). Then Pharaoh will once again change his mind and confront the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

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