Go Down Moses A Passover Story (Part 5)
Preparation of the Passover The Lord told Moses that he would bring one final and terrible plague upon Egypt. But there was first much to be done in preparation for a great feast. This feast was the Passover. God instructed the children of Israel to borrow from his neighbor jewels of silver and of gold. The people of Israel found favor in the sight of the Egyptians and they gave abundantly to them. Moses became infamous and was respected throughout the land of Egypt. In fact, many of the Egyptians feared him because they knew that God was on his side.
Passover Lamb The Lord gave Moses and Aaron very specific instructions on how to prepare & keep the Feast of Passover, which would take place during the first month of the year, Abib, beginning on the even of the 14th day. On the 10th day of Abib, God commanded Israel that each household was to take a male lamb of the first year, it was to be without blemish or spot. They would keep this lamb up until the 14th day and kill it in the evening. After killing the lamb, they were to take its blood and strike it on the two side posts and the upper doorpost of their homes. They were to eat the roasted lamb, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs on the evening of the 14th day. Seven days they were to celebrate the Passover, eating unleavened bread, with the first and the last days being holy Sabbaths.
Your Loins Girded On that passover night, they were to eat the entire lamb and do so quickly, with “their loins girded, shoes on their feet and staffs in their hands, because it was the Lord’s passover.” Loins girded, shoes on your feet and staff?.....Hmmm. Do you remember the lesson on the whole armor of God? This apparel spiritually represents the word of God, it shields us from Satan and prepares us for the Lord’s coming!
I Will Passover You On that Passover night (14th of Abib), God was going to pass through the entire land of Egypt and kill the all the firstborn for the final plague. This not only included humans but animals as well. All except for those who had the blood on their doorposts. God said, “when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.� (Exodus 12: 10 -13)
Plague #10 “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.� (Exodus 12: 29-30)
Enough Is Enough! Even the dreadful King of Egypt lost his firstborn. He was extremely upset and urgently called for Moses and Aaron. He told them to go to the wilderness and serve the Lord, taking all of their oxen and cattle. The King of Egypt even asked them to bless him as well. After all the horrible plagues, the Egyptians were ready for Israel to go. They gave them many riches & clothes so that they could be on their way!
Israel Is Free! Israel was in captivity of Egypt for 430 years but finally they were free. There were 600,000 Israelite men asides from children that traveled on foot from Rameses to Succoth! There were not only Israelites that left Egypt, but other nations too! It was a “mixed multitude.�
Pillar of Cloud & Fire God continued to lead his people out of Egypt though the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea. The Lord went before the people by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night by a pillar of fire. How amazing is that?
Pharaoh’s Heart Is Hardened While Israel was on their journey, Pharaoh and the Egyptians regretted that they had let them go. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened once more by God and they pursued after Israel, taking 600 horses & chariots with them!
Israel Is Afraid When the children of Israel saw that Pharaoh was pursuing them they became very, very frightened. But Moses told them not to fear for the Lord was with them. He said, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.�
Dividing of the Red Sea Guess what happened next? The Lord commanded Moses to stretch out his rod and the Red Sea divided in two. Yep, in two! The children of Israel walked in the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground, with water on the left & water on the right. But that old wicked Pharaoh and his soldiers continued to pursue, This was the will of God.
Pharaoh & the Egyptians Drowned The Lord took the wheels off the Egyptians’ chariots so that they moved very slowly. Then God told Moses to stretch out his rod again so that the waters of the Red Sea would fall upon Pharaoh, the Egyptians & their horses and chariots. The waters came crashing down, drowning every wicked soul!
Victory Over Egypt After 10 plagues, the dividing of the Red Sea plus many more great miracles, Israel was finally saved and the wicked King and the Egyptians were destroyed. The bible even says that the Israelites could see the dead bodies of the Egyptians on the shore of the Red Sea. The Lord is mighty and powerful and Israel could see this. They feared him greatly and believed in him and his servant, Moses.
A Memorial The night that Israel fled Egypt is very monumental in our history. And we must continue to keep the Passover to this very day. A memorial is intended to remind us of a special event so that we never forget. For seven days, God said that we should eat unleavened bread, removing any item or food with leavening from our homes during the Feast of Passover. Let us never forget what God did for the children of Israel, by freeing them from Egypt. God is great, merciful and a mighty judge!
The End!
Questions? For questions regarding this presentation please contact us via email at info@householdofisrael.org or by phone at 219.949.9308.