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.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
4. We Are Ready For His Return (11)
They were preparing for the coming of the Lord in judgment against the gods of Egypt. When they were preparing the sacrificial lamb and putting blood on the doorpost, they had no idea what was about to happen. They were to be ready - a spirit of urgency.
We are waiting for Jesus now - and should always have an attitude of readiness.
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
5. We Trust His Grace (12-13)
Though Pharaoh did not respond to God’s gracious efforts to rescue Israel, the children of Israel did. And when he
Saw the blood, he passed over them.
It is God’s desire that all men be saved. He has sent his son as a sacrifice. He gave us His Word. He sent his church out on mission.
Are each of us ready for the coming of the Lord? Anyone who is saved will be saved by God’s grace!
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, Through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
"For when Christ our Lamb comes, he shall have passed over our sins forever." - Stephen D. Eckstein, Jr., The Pentateuch
Conclusion
1. The imagery of the passover - the blood on the doorposts - is A reminder of what it would take to cleanse the sin of the people.
2. Every lamb that was sacrificed pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice that would take place on Golgotha.
3. Faith That Follows Jesus Christ recognizes…
We Follow Jesus the Lamb of God
We are saved by His blood
We are guided by His truth
We are ready for His return
We trust His Grace
