Flight In Exodus

During the plagues of Egypt, the Israelites went through a series of different effects. The first three plagues affected them, but in the 4th plague (Exodus 8:22) Israel was separated from direct effects.  I imagine what was going on still disturbed them, but they grew in recognizing God's power and finally with the 10th plague they received the instructions to leave and carried out his instructions. They were making a big change. There was a transition period. As with all transition, there's an uncertainty that goes along with the change.

Things that go on in the world can affect everyone, just look at the news lately.  We have high powered satellites, computers and television that can bring us into events occurring across the globe. The recent airline tragedy or the Russian/Crimean situation can enter our homes with a push of a button. The news seems to go on and on without a solution on the horizon. It is so unsatisfying and unnerving.

In the Old Testament people looked forward through the shadows to the coming of Jesus Christ. The spiritual escape from bondage to the freedom of the New Covenant is a parallel to the physical escape from Egypt.  There are many specific parallels when you look at Exodus 12 in depth.

Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover.

The redemption factor from the Old Testament to the New Testament is the Passover lamb; Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 5:7). Jesus Christ was a male without blemish. He was killed on the 14th day of the month of Nisan before sunset. The blood  was an important symbol of redemption as well as the body of the sacrifice. The blood was sprinkled across the lintel to spare them from the destroyer. The body was prepared and eaten for the Israelites well-being (Psalm 105:37, II Chronicles 30:14-20, and
I Corinthians 11:23ff). No bones of the lamb were broken (Exodus 12:46, John 19:35-37). These little details are breathtaking! There are more when you dig deeper!

God's solution to the evil and problems of this world and all the uncertainty that is so blatantly prevalent is in His son, Jesus Christ. We no longer look through shadows. The work has been done.  Our eyes focus ahead with an inner anticipation and strength. We turn down the volume of the clatter of the world and enter the rest that God has provided remembering the details and the significance of the  sacrifice of the Passover lamb.