“In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.”
Context:The book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch. It was written by Moses and contains instructions and laws given by God to the Israelites. Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed feasts of the Lord, which include the Passover.
The Passover:The Passover was a significant event in the history of the Israelites. It commemorated their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and marked the beginning of their journey toward the Promised Land. The Passover lamb’s blood, sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites’ homes, served as a sign for the Lord to pass over their houses and spare their firstborns from the final plague upon Egypt.
Observance of the Passover:Leviticus 23:5 specifies that the Passover was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month at even. The Hebrew calendar followed a lunar cycle, so the Passover fell on different dates in our modern calendar each year. The Passover was to be a solemn assembly, a time of remembrance and worship.
Spiritual Significance:The Passover holds significant spiritual symbolism for Christians. It foreshadows the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God, and His sacrificial death on the cross is seen as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb’s sacrifice. As believers in Christ, we are redeemed by His blood, just as the Israelites were spared by the blood of the lamb.
Application:Although the Passover was a specific observance for the Israelites under the Old Covenant, it still holds lessons for us today. We can learn from their obedience, faith, and trust in God’s deliverance. The Passover reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His power to save, and His desire to set His people free. It also encourages us to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the freedom we have obtained through His death and resurrection.
In summary, Leviticus 23:5 highlights the observance of the Passover, a significant event in the history of the Israelites. As Christians, we can appreciate the Passover’s spiritual significance and recognize its foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our redemption. The Passover serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, His deliverance, and the freedom we have through Christ.
