Bible Study: The Passover Lamb
The Passover Lamb 02.16.08
Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Saturday February 16, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read, Numbers 8 -- 9 in your Bible or Click Here. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the cleansing of the Levites; national Passover; the Lord's guiding presence in the cloud and the fire over the Tabernacle.
The Passover was a memorial of the great historic deliverance of Israel from their hopeless slavery in Egypt. The Israelites regained their freedom from Egypt after they had observed the first Passover. The blood of an innocent lamb was placed on the doorpost but, equally important, they were commanded to eat the lamb. Freedom from the cruel slavery of the Egyptian Pharaoh meant that now they were free to follow the leadership of Our One True God. "And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel." (Numbers 9:1-5).
Innocent blood of a lamb satisfied God and protected Israel from the destroyer, who passed over each year to destroy those who did not have the blood along their door posts (See Exodus 12). The passover lamb satisfied and strengthened the family as they left Egypt. The Lord commanded that there be nothing left of the Passover meal. The Passover meal was not meant for those who would settle down in Egypt. It provided strength for thier journey to the promised land. Not only were they to partake of the Passover Feast, but they were also required to bring the Lord's offering. "The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin." (9:11-13).
Today, we observe the Lord's Supper and this is a reminder of our freedom from sin. We have become children of God and are prepared for our journey through life. Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb that sacrificed Himself for us. The Apostle Paul bears witness to Jesus' words by saying as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you are reminded that He died for your sins and are free from them. "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
Just as the Lord had a journey planned for the Israelite tribes, He has a plan for each of us as we journey through life. Our supreme aim should be to accomplish His purpose for creating us. When God is our guide, what is there to fear? The love of God surpasses any fear. He has provided a reliable threefold Guide for daily direction through life, His perfect Word, the power of prayer, and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Once we accept Jesus into our lives God's Holy Spirit dwells in us and as long as we read His Word and pray to Him daily we will conquer any fear.
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the Passover which serves as a beautiful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary as the Lamb of God.
Today's Psalm: 51:11
"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."
Today's Prayer: From Psalm 31:1-8
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
Have a wonderful day/night and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless you,
Christina
