The Reason for the Passover

“Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the LORD your God.” DEUTERONOMY 16:1The story of the Passover is in Exodus 12. God’s people were slaves in Egypt, and it had been like that for over 400 years. They were oppressed by a cruel tyrant who defied God and abused His people. God said, “Let my people go,” but Pharaoh cared nothing for God.So, God came down in judgment and mercy. His judgment broke the power of Pharaoh, and His mercy protected His people. The wages of sin is death, and death came to every home in Egypt on that night of God’s judgment. But God told His people to sacrifice a lamb, and to paint the blood of the sacrificed lamb on the door frame of their house. Then God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13). That’s where the Passover comes from.The people were to celebrate the Passover by eating unleavened bread and by sacrificing and eating a lamb (16:3, 6-7). This celebration served as an annual reminder of how God had saved them from His judgment that fell on the land. It reminded them how God brought them out of slavery through the blood of a sacrifice. It also reminded them of God’s words: “You will be my people and I will be your God” (Ex. 6:7). Now Moses is saying: “That’s worth celebrating!” Reflect on the mercy that God has poured out for you at the cross, and His promise to all those who believe in him to “pass over” their sins.Written by Colin SmithRead by Sue McLeish www.openthebible.org.uk