Bible Pathways - January 21, 2006

January 21, 2006

Read Exodus 11

In Today's Reading:

Death of the firstborn; the Lord's Passover; the Exodus; pillar of cloud and pillar of fire

With each miraculous plague, God proved that Egypt's gods were false deities and that He is the Only True God. The final plague of judgment was death God spoke to Moses: About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn . . . shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh . . even unto the firstborn of the maidservant (Exodus 11:4-5). However, God lovingly provided a way for all of the Israelites who were obedient to Him to save their firstborn from death. The sentence of death would not fall on them but upon a lamb without blemish (defect) (12:5). They were told to take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post (lintel) of the houses. . . . they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened (yeast-free) bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. . . . with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S Passover (12:7-11).

Later instruction regarding sacrifices states: They shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made (29:33). The Hebrew word translated atonement carries the idea of covering something, thereby removing it from God's sight and assuring God's forgiveness. This points out that an innocent lamb made only a temporary atonement, sin was not fully eradicated. Even though there were numerous daily, weekly, and monthly sin offerings, the Israelites were still required to observe a full Day of Atonement annually. In the New Testament, it is revealed: We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:11). The Greek word for atonement means: We have now obtained our reconciliation.

The Sin Offering, the Trespass Offering, and the Day of Atonement, as the supreme act of national repentance for sins, were offered regularly. However, they all were only substitute offerings until Jesus became the One True Sacrifice and died for the sins of the world. We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

Since God is holy, He cannot fellowship with man in his sinful state. So God has provided His sinless Son, Jesus, as the perfect and complete substitute to die for our sins (John 3:16).

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot (defect) to God, purge (cleanse, purify) your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14).

Christ Revealed:

Through the sacrifice of lambs without blemish. Not one of the lamb's bones was to be broken (Exodus 12:5,46). We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:19). It was foretold of Christ: He keepeth all His bones: not one of them is broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:36).

Word Studies:

11:2 borrow = ask, accept; 12:9 sodden = boiled; purtenance thereof = inner organs of an animal; 12:11 loins girded = dressed for a journey; 13:2 Sanctify = Dedicate, Set apart; 13:12 matrix = womb; 13:18 harnessed = armed, equipped.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Country: Ethiopia (60 million) in eastern Africa · Major languages: Amharic and Tigrinya · Unsettled after overthrow of communist regime · 41% Eastern Orthodox; 35% Muslim; 10% Protestant; 10% animist; .7% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy (Psalm 106:1).

Optional Reading: Matthew 20

Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 1:14