“A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.”
Context: The verse is part of the instructions given to the Israelites regarding the observance of the Passover. God had commanded them to take a lamb without blemish, slaughter it, and use its blood to mark the doorposts of their houses. This act would serve as a sign for the Lord to pass over their homes and spare their firstborn sons from the final plague on Egypt-death of the firstborn.
Symbolism: The Passover lamb symbolized the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. It was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who would become the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, offering His life to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin.
Exclusion of foreigners and hired servants: In this verse, God specifies that foreigners and hired servants were not allowed to eat of the Passover lamb. This restriction may seem exclusionary, but it had a specific purpose within the context of the Old Testament covenant.
- Foreigners: Foreigners who were not circumcised and did not belong to the community of Israel were excluded from participating in the Passover. It highlighted the importance of circumcision as the sign of the covenant between God and His people (Exodus 12:48).
- Hired servants: Hired servants, or temporary residents who were not considered part of the household, were also excluded from eating the Passover. This emphasized the significance of being a part of the community and having a committed relationship with God.
Spiritual significance: While the verse had practical implications in the Old Testament, it also holds spiritual lessons for us today.
- Covenant relationship: The exclusion of foreigners reminds us of the importance of being in a covenant relationship with God. In the New Testament, we are called to accept Jesus Christ and enter into a personal relationship with Him through faith. Through faith in Christ, we become part of God’s family and are included in His covenant promises (Galatians 3:26-29).
- Committed discipleship: The exclusion of hired servants reminds us of the call to wholeheartedly commit ourselves to God. Being a casual observer or temporary participant is not enough. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him with dedication and devotion (Luke 9:23).
Application: As believers, we can apply the principles from this verse in the following ways:
- Seek covenant relationship: We should earnestly seek a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This involves accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, repenting of our sins, and surrendering our lives to Him.
- Embrace committed discipleship: We should strive to be wholehearted and committed followers of Christ. This means cultivating a growing relationship with Him through prayer, studying His Word, being part of a community of believers, and serving others.
- Extend God’s grace: While the verse highlights exclusion, we are called to extend God’s grace to others. In the New Testament, we see that through Jesus’ sacrifice, the message of salvation was opened to all nations (Acts 10:34-35). We should love and share the gospel with people from all backgrounds, embracing the unity and diversity found in the body of Christ.
Remember, as you study the Bible, it is essential to consider the broader context of the verse, the cultural and historical background, and its relevance in light of the New Testament teachings.
