“That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.”
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Exodus 12 describes the institution of the Passover feast, which commemorates God’s deliverance of the Israelites from the final plague in Egypt-the killing of the firstborn. Verse 27 is part of the instructions given to the Israelites regarding how they should observe and remember the Passover.
Acknowledging God’s Sacrifice:In this verse, the Israelites are instructed to acknowledge that the Passover sacrifice is the Lord’s. The lamb that was sacrificed represented the deliverance of the Israelites from God’s judgment on Egypt. By offering this sacrifice, they were expressing their gratitude and recognizing that it was God who spared their households from the plague.
God’s Deliverance:The verse emphasizes that God passed over the houses of the Israelites while smiting the Egyptians. This highlights God’s mercy and protection for His people. The Israelites were not saved by their own strength or merit but by God’s intervention on their behalf.
Worship and Reverence:When the people heard these instructions, they bowed their heads and worshipped. This response demonstrates their reverence and submission to God. They recognized His power, provision, and faithfulness in delivering them from slavery.
Application:Exodus 12:27 serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging God’s work in our lives and responding with worship and gratitude. It teaches us to recognize that our deliverance and salvation come from God alone. We should humbly bow our heads and worship Him, acknowledging His power and faithfulness.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Passover Lamb:In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Just as the Passover lamb was sacrificed for the deliverance of the Israelites, Jesus, through His sacrificial death on the cross, offers deliverance and salvation to all who believe in Him. The Passover lamb’s blood protected the Israelites from God’s judgment, and through faith in Jesus’ shed blood, believers are saved from the penalty of sin.
In conclusion, Exodus 12:27 reminds us to acknowledge God’s sacrifice, His deliverance, and respond with worship and reverence. It also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, who offers salvation and deliverance to all who believe in Him.
