Exodus 12 is a pivotal chapter in the Bible that recounts the establishment of the Passover and the final plague that led to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. In this chapter, God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the observance of the Passover, which commemorates the night when God struck down the firstborn of Egypt but spared the Israelites.
The chapter begins with God commanding Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover as the first month of the year. On the tenth day, each household is to take a lamb without blemish and keep it until the fourteenth day. They are to slaughter the lamb at twilight and mark their doorposts with its blood as a sign. This act will protect their homes from the angel of death, who will pass over them while carrying out the judgment.
The Israelites are also given specific instructions on how to prepare and eat the Passover meal. They are to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, emphasizing the haste in which they will leave Egypt. They are instructed to consume the entire lamb and not leave any leftovers.
The chapter concludes with the Israelites following God’s commands precisely, and the plague of the firstborn sweeping through Egypt. The Egyptians, filled with grief and fear, urge the Israelites to leave. Thus, the Israelites embark on their journey towards freedom, carrying the blessings of God and the memory of the miraculous Passover.
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