Book of Exodus - Chapter 12 - Verse 21

In this verse from the book of Exodus, Moses instructs all the elders of Israel to gather and prepare for one of the most important feasts in the Jewish tradition: the Passover. The Passover is a significant event that commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. According to Moses' instructions, each family was to select a lamb, which was to be slaughtered and its blood spread on the doorposts of their homes as a sign for the Lord to pass over and spare the firstborn in that household during the final plague on Egypt. This event symbolizes the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands in order to receive His protection and blessings.

The Passover is not only a historical event in the Bible but also holds great spiritual significance for Christians. It prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the redemption of humanity. By participating in the Passover feast, the Israelites were reminded of God's faithfulness and deliverance in times of trouble. Today, Christians also partake in the tradition of Passover as a way to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus and to celebrate the freedom and salvation granted through His death and resurrection.

When Moses called for the elders of Israel to instruct them to take a lamb and kill it for the passover, it was a significant moment filled with theological implications. The act of sacrificing a lamb was a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make for humanity's sins. The lamb's blood served as a symbol of protection, as the Israelites were commanded to paint their doorposts with it to be spared from the angel of death. This act not only protected them physically but also symbolized the spiritual protection that comes from faith in God. The theological significance of this act highlights the importance of obedience and trust in God's instructions. Furthermore, this verse underscores the concept of substitutionary atonement, as the innocent lamb took the place of the firstborn in each household. The word "passover" itself holds a deep theological meaning, as it signifies the passing over of God's judgment on those who are covered by the blood of the lamb. Overall, this verse points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the redemption and protection that come from God through faith.