Faith To Follow

FAITH TO FOLLOW

EXODUS 12:3-13

Introduction

For the past few weeks we have followed the theme of faith through in the Bible. Adam and Eve found new beginnings through Faith. Abraham followed God by Faith when he looked at the heavens and believed. Joseph had a Faith that lasted through tough times.

When we left Joseph last week, we noted that he brought his family to Egypt and settled them in the land of Goshen, where they stayed for 400 years. Exodus begins with a chilling note: “Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.” (Ex 1:8). God recruited Moses from the wilderness to be the leader who would bring his people out of slavery. He approached Pharaoh nine times, seeking the release of God’s people. Each time Pharaoh rejected God’s request, suffering through nine intense plagues. Each of the nine plagues had affected Egypt only - the children of Israel were unaffected by them. For the tenth plague, however, God required an act of faith to protect the Israelite families: Read Exodus 12:3-13 NLT:

Exodus 12:3-13 NLT

3 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.

4 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. 5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.

6 “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.

7 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.

8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. 9 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.

10 Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.

11 “These are your instructions for eating this meal: 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.

12 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!

13 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.

Everything they did in this text was in preparation for the coming of the Lord. Centuries later we read this from the other side of the cross. We see Jesus prefigured throughout this text.

Five truths that define our Faith Journey:

1. We Follow Jesus The Lamb of God (Exodus 12:3-6)

Jesus was the lamb with no defects - perfect - sinless

John 1:29 …John saw Jesus … and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Corinthians 5:7 …Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.

2. We Are Saved By the Blood (7)

The blood of the Lamb on the doorpost reminds us that our relationship with Jesus is b/c the power of His blood.

1 John 1:7 … the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Hebrews 9:14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 6:3-4 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

3. We Are Guided By His Truth (8-10)

They had specific details to work out about eating and what to do with the lamb. (8-10)

How often do we look at God’s commands as options? When I do not listen to God I invite unhappiness and difficulty into my life. Whenever we ignore God’s way and will, we never find a better path forward. The Bible demonstrates over and over the truth of this. We can see it in our own lives.