Bible Pathways 01/21/2002
January 21
Read Exodus 11 -- 13
In Today's Reading:
Again the blood runs -- from the Passover Lamb; smeared on the doorposts; in awesome contrast was the death of all the Egyptian firstborn. Israel's salvation was through the blood. Read carefully the details of the Exodus since it is the central event of the Old Testament as the cross is of the New. The awesome Pillar of Cloud by Day and Pillar of Fire by Night emerges. God puts the people under His own care with this visible sign of His guidance and protection. It never forsook them.
Verses for Today:
Your lamb shall be without blemish. . . . take of the blood, and strike it on the . . . door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it (the lamb). . . . let nothing of it remain. . . . it is the Lord's Passover. . . . I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. . . . and when I see the blood, I will pass over you (Exodus 12:5).
Highlights:
Death of Egypt's firstborn; first Passover; the Exodus; the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire.
Many of the Israelites probably were skeptical of the peculiar method of their deliverance from Egypt. But their only hope of escape from death was to kill a lamb and apply the blood to the lintel and the two side posts of their doors and eat all the sacrificed lamb. Every detail had to be obeyed. Deliverance from death could not be bought. No amount of gold could take the place of the blood. Nor was there a family so good that they did not need to eat the lamb or to apply the blood of a lamb as God had said. God had only one plan, and His divine command had to be obeyed.
So today, the blood of Jesus Christ is the only way by which sinful man can receive cleansing from sin. But, His Word must be obeyed. Jesus said: I am the Bread of Life. . . . he that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, has eternal life (John 6:35). His Word is our spiritual food, as well as a Guide that He has provided: The Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (1:1,14). When you read His Word, He is speaking to you. Some may hope that, as long as they are sincere and live a good moral life, some other way will satisfy God.
Through the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from dead works so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14).
A Thought from Proverbs: Go to the ant, you sluggard (slothful one); consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest (6:6-8).
Christ Revealed:
Through the sacrifice of lambs without blemish. Not one of the lamb's bones was to be broken (Exodus 12:5). We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19). It was foretold of Christ: He keeps all His bones: not one of them is broken (Psalms 34:20; John 19:36).
Word Studies:
11:2 borrow = ask; 12:5 blemish = defect; 12:9 sodden = boiled; purtenance thereof = inner organs of an animal; 12:11 loins girded = dressed for a journey; 12:16 convocation = holy assembly; 12:23 lintel = the crosspiece at the top of the door; 12:40 sojourning = time of stay; 13:2 Sanctify = Dedicate, Set apart; 13:12 matrix = womb; 13:13 firstling = first offspring of an animal; 13:16 frontlets = memorial symbol; 13:18 harnessed = in military order.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Gov. Gary Locke (WA) · Pray for the President · Country: Papua New Guinea (5 million) in the southwestern Pacific · Major languages: 715 indigenous languages · Religious freedom · 64% Protestant; 33% Roman Catholic; 2% ancestor worship, belief in spirits, and witchcraft · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to be merciful and to forgive your sins (Psalms 25:6-7).
Optional Reading: Matthew 21
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:5
