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The Old Testament Passover |
Dear Brethren,
What is the real name of
the Old Testament Passover? Too many people regard the events of the Old
Testament as "old fashioned." Nothing could be farther from the
truth. The concept and meaning of Passover was established before the
foundation of the world. ". . . the Lamb slain from the foundation of
the world" (Revelation 13:8). Jesus Christ Himself, the God of the Old
Testament, gives the Old Testament Passover its authentic name, "The
Lord's Passover." Leviticus 23:5 "In the fourteenth day of the
first month at even is the LORD'S Passover."
As we approach Passover, it will
help our understanding to look at the differences between the Old Testament
Passover and the New Testament Passover. They are not the same.
As would be expected, the Old leads into the New. Passover is about
"redemption." It is fundamental that we get
the picture of what redemption means. Redemption
means to "purchase back," to "buy back," something previously sold.
Redemption means to "set free by paying a price," or to "recover ownership by
way of payment." As used with regard to the Old Testament Passover, God
redeemed Israel by executing judgment on the Egyptians. To drive
the point home, God then required Israel to "redeem" or "buy back"
from Him all the firstborn males. "...all the firstborn of
man among thy children shalt thou redeem." (Exodus 13:13) If we do
not understand the Old Testament Passover, then our understanding of Jesus
Christ as redeemer is limited.
The Old Testament Passover
commemorates the redemption of Israel from Egyptian bondage by the
death of all Egypt's firstborn. At that first Passover, God delivered
Israel from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. God told Moses,
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you
out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their
bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great
judgments." (Exodus 6:6) Jesus redeemed Israel from
slavery.
Jesus Christ did much in redeeming Israel from the
Egyptians. He purchased His people Israel. He saved them from their
enemies. He delivered them from Egypt. He gave them a home
territory. There was always a price for Jesus to pay to redeem His people
from the consequences of sin. In the New Testament, the ultimate price of
redemption is paid by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Himself.
Passover is a picture of Jesus, the Messiah, redeeming us, spiritual
Israel, from our sins. Jesus Christ redeems us today from sin and
its consequences so that we can live in accordance with His perfect will.
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Also see "Passover"
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