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How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 16

Preparing for the first Passover

God takes a little segue here, in chapter 12, as He relays some of the laws that He’s going to implement among the Hebrews for their benefit.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year. Ex. 12:1 – 3. CSB

This refers to the Hebrew calendar month of ‘Nisan’ when Passover is to be celebrated. And God rearranges their calendar to lead off the first month of the year (March / April) with Passover.

Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects. Ex. 12:3 – 5. NLT

Why an animal with no defects? Because this animal is being sacrificed to Jehovah. Offering a defective animal would not constitute a sacrifice.

“Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal.” Ex. 12:6, 7. NLT

Heretofore, the people of Israel were referred to as ‘Hebrews’ or ‘sons of Israel.’ Now they are referred to as a ‘whole community’ or ‘whole assembly’ that is being created through the common experience of the Passover.

The sacrificial lamb is slaughtered by everyone on the same day and at the same time. Then the blood is drained and spread on the door frames. The entire animal was then ‘fire roasted’ to remove any remaining blood most effectively.

“That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire. Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.” Ex. 12:8 –10. NLT

‘Bitter herbs’ were indigenous to Egypt and served as a reminder of the bitterness of the Hebrew enslavement experience. Bread without yeast (unleavened) is a bread speedily prepared with no time to rise, because the people had to eat hastily to begin their exodus before the Egyptians would seek retribution when God’s tenth judgment struck them.

Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover. On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. Ex. 12:11 – 13. NLT

(Even though the Passover is all about the deliverance of the Hebrews, it is highly analogous to the New Testament sacrifice of the Lamb of God[1] on the cross, where His innocent blood was shed for everyone for their redemption.)

“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast…Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day.” Ex. 12:14, 15 & 17. NLT

For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down. Ex. 12:23 NLT

The people prepared themselves accordingly to what Moses instructed:

So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron. And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. Ex. 12:28 – 30. NLT

Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and acquiesced to all God’s terms; and then he angrily told Moses to get his people out of Egypt immediately. The Egyptians were anxious to see the Hebrews leave. To facilitate this, the Egyptians gave up a vast amount of their wealth to the Hebrews – just as Jehovah had prophesied.[2]

The Bible tells us that 600,000 men left during the exodus. Many scholars estimate that if you add the women and children, that figure could be as high as 2.5 million.

The people of Israel had lived in Egyptfor 430 years. In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. Ex. 12:40, 41. NLT

On this night the Lord kept his promise to bring his people out of the land of Egypt. So this night belongs to him, and it must be commemorated every year by all the Israelites, from generation to generation…On that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army. Ex. 12:42 & 51. NLT

Moses speaks to the people:

On this day in the month Abib, (spring), you are about to go onward. And it shall be when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep and observe this rite (service) in this month. Ex. 13:4, 5. AMP

Thus, the exodus was purposeful, so that the nation could occupy the Promised Land.

God begins to lead His children:

So it happened, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearer; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war [that is, that there will be war], and return to Egypt.” Ex. 13:17 AMP

That would have been the shortest route, but the Philistines were warlike. The Hebrews, at this juncture in time, were only a mass of ragtag ex-slaves:

But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea; the sons of Israel went up in battle array (orderly ranks, marching formation) out of the land of Egypt…and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. Ex. 13:18 & 20 AMP

And how did Jehovah lead them?

The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar (column) of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night. He did not withdraw the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from going before the people. Ex. 13:21, 22. AMP

Stay tuned for Pharaoh has a change of heart…

Goodnight and God Bless.

[1] Jn. 1:29

[2] Ex. 3:19 – 22.

How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 14

Exodus

The book of Exodus is an ongoing view of the of trials and tribulations in the historical accounting of God’s chosen people – the Hebrews.

The new boss is not the same as the old boss:

Exodus begins with an immediate connection to Genesis:

…Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation, but the Israelites were prolific and increased greatly; they multiplied and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them. Ex. 1:6, 7. AMP

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph [nor the history of his accomplishments]. He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us [they greatly outnumber us]. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they will not multiply and in the event of war, join our enemies, and fight against us and escape from the land.” Ex. 1:8 – 10. AMP

This new king (Pharaoh) is not the same as the one in Joseph’s lifetime and possesses no knowledge of about how Joseph was the second most powerful man in Egypt, and how he saved it from a ravaging famine.

So, he is hatching overt oppression plans against the Israelites – calling on the Egyptians to demand hard labor from them, making mortar and bricks and building storage cities. What was the outcome?

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became. Ex. 1:12 NLT

Subsequently, Pharaoh turned up his campaign to include infanticide:

Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” Ex. 1:15, 16. NLT

(Dennis Prager, author of the Rational Bible, a treatise on the Torah, says that the Hebrew wording for the phrase ‘Hebrew midwives’ is equivocal, that it can be translated as ‘the Hebrew midwives’ or as ‘midwives of the Hebrews’ – inferring in the latter, that they may not be Hebrew. He also noted that it would be abhorrent for a Hebrew to take another Hebrew life.)

How many did the midwives kill?

But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. Ex. 1:17 NLT

This brings the Pharaoh’s ire:

“Why have you done this?” he demanded. “Why have you allowed the boys to live?” Ex. 1:18 NLT

The midwives lie to him, saying that the Hebrew women were ‘vigorous’, saying they gave birth so quickly that they could never get there in time.

Pharoah raises the stakes much higher:

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.” Ex. 1:22 NLT

The Shaping of Moses

Now a man of the house of Levi [the priestly tribe] went and took as his wife a daughter of Levi. The woman conceived and gave birth to a son; and when she saw that he was [especially] beautiful and healthy, she hid him for three months [to protect him from the Egyptians]. When she could no longer hide him, she got him a basket (chest) made of papyrus reeds and covered it with tar and pitch [making it waterproof]. Then she put the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. And his sister [Miriam] stood some distance away to find out what would happen to him. Ex. 2:1 – 4. AMP

Recall that Pharaoh had issued an edict that all newborn Hebrew males were to be drowned in the Nile River. We will see in this case, the hand of God saving this one.

As Miriam watches her infant brother, Pharaoh’s daughter comes to the river to bathe and sees the basket and has one of her slaves bring it to her. She identifies the male as a Hebrew and takes pity upon the child, knowing firsthand about her father’s edict.

Miriam immediately approaches Pharaoh’s daughter and asks her if she needs a Hebrew wet-nurse to breastfeed the child. Pharaoh’s daughter answers in the affirmative, and Miriam (unbeknownst to the Egyptian) brings in her own mother.

After the child was weaned, Pharaoh’s daughter made the child her own and named him Moses (which is both a Hebrew and Egyptian name). Then, the Bible takes a leap forward in time:

Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. Ex. 2:11, 12. NLT

We don’t know anything about Moses’ education, who told him that he was a Hebrew child, etc. What we do know is that he identified with the Hebrew slave and thought to administer justice. Yet within 24 hours, he would find out that he would not get away with his vigilante behavior.

He came across two Hebrews fighting the next day and sought to break it up by asking why they were fighting. One of them rebukes Moses:

“Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?” Ex. 2:14 NLT

Whoa! Moses knows the jig is up. Indeed, Pharaoh finds out and tries to have his own grandson killed. But Moses flees to the land of Midian (modern-day Arabia), where he rescued seven daughters from harassment by shepherds trying to prevent the girls from drawing water out of a well for their father’s flock.

Out of gratitude, the father (Reuel or Jethro), gives Moses one of his daughters (Zipporah) in marriage.

Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. Ex. 2:23 – 25. NLT

Moses first encounter with God – up close and personal:

Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro (Reuel) his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.” Ex. 3:1 – 3. AMP

When God sees Moses take notice, He calls out to Him from the bush:

“Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Ex. 3:4 – 6. AMP

God is showing Moses that He is the God of Israel, the Author of the Abrahamic covenant. He tells him that He is aware of the Israelites’ plight in Egypt, and in the keeping of His promise to the Patriarchs, He is going to deliver His children from bondage. In what way specifically?

Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, and then bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Ex. 3:10 AMP

Moses is taken aback and protests, saying he is but an insignificant person with none of the power that it would take to accomplish that. God basically agrees with him:

“Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve and worship God at this mountain.” Ex. 3:12 AMP

Moses objects again, saying he doesn’t even know God’s name. Patiently, He answers:

“I Am Who I Am”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Then God also said to Moses, “This is what you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Israel), has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial [name] to all generations. Ex. 3:14, 15. AMP

‘I AM’ is a literal translation of the first-person singular Hebrew verb ehyeh. The third-person singular of this verb is transliterated yehweh for ‘He Is.’ This is where we get the word ‘Yahweh’ for God’s name, most often translated in English as LORD. YHWH in Hebrew is called the tetragrammaton, from which also the name ‘Jehovah’ is derived.

He is the same God who spoke to the Patriarchs of old, and of Whom all existence is dependent upon. He is pure, all-knowing, all-seeing, and lies outside of time, dependent only upon Himself.

Now, Jehovah gives Moses a little tease of His plan:

The elders [of the tribes] will listen and pay attention to what you say; and you, with the elders of Israel, shall go to the king of Egypt and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; so now, please, [we ask and plead with you,] let us go on a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ Ex. 3:18 AMP

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless [he is forced] by a strong hand. So I will reach out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. And I will grant this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians; therefore, it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours].” Ex. 3:19 – 22. AMP

Moses objects again! This time he whines about what to do if the Israelites refuse to believe that he represents God. I love how He works. He asks Moses what it was that he was holding in his hand. Moses replied that it was a staff. Jehovah tells him to throw it on the ground and it becomes a living serpent.

He then tells Moses to grab it by the tail, (in and of itself dangerous, because you are supposed to grab them by the neck so as not to get bit; God is building his trust), and it turns back into a staff. Then he tells Moses to put his hand on his chest inside his robe, and when he pulls it out it looks like leprosy. God asks him to repeat the gesture, and his hand is restored.

Moses has some chutzpah! He objects again:

“Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.” Ex. 4:10 – 12. AMP

God is starting to get hot. Yet, fear has gotten the best of Moses. He has run out of excuses and must admit that he is scared to death:

“Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].” Ex. 4:13 AMP

Then the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, “Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you]. You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you].” Ex. 4:14 – 17. AMP

And that’s it. God always has the final say.

Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went [into Egypt] and assembled all the elders of the Israelites; and Aaron said all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then Moses performed the signs [given to him by God] before the people. So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the Israelites and that He had looked [with compassion] on their suffering, then they bowed their heads and worshiped [the Lord]. Ex. 4:28 – 31. AMP

Stay tuned for the plagues!

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