The Great Passover

As a family, read Exodus 7:1-7  and 12:21-31.  Afterwards, share the following discussion:

What happened?

God was ready for the Israelites to leave Egypt, but Pharaoh wanted to keep them as slaves.  Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh with God’s message, “Let my people go!”  God warned Moses that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen until He punished Egypt, proving that He was the only true God.

As Moses and Aaron followed God’s instructions, nine different plagues struck Egypt.  First, the Nile River was turned to blood, and then frogs and gnats were everywhere.  Next, swarms of flies covered everything, and all the livestock in the fields died.  God even made sores break out on the people of Egypt, but Pharaoh still wouldn’t listen.  So God caused a hailstorm and locusts to destroy every plant and tree.  Then complete and total darkness covered Egypt for three days.  Through all nine plagues, God protected His people; none of the plagues struck the Israelites.

The Egyptians worshiped over eighty gods from nature.  Pharaoh was even thought to be the sun god, Ra.  Every plague God sent was directed against one of Egypt’s false gods.  The Lord was supreme ruler over all He had created.  God wanted everyone to see His power and know that He was the one true, sovereign Lord.

God told Moses there would be one final plague, and Pharaoh would finally release them.  At midnight, God would kill every firstborn son of Egypt.  Moses gave a final warning to Pharaoh, but he remained stubborn and wouldn’t obey the Lord. Moses instructed the Israelites to roast the very best lamb they had and sprinkle the blood on the doorframe, as an act of faith (Heb. 11:28).  Everyone in the family was to be completely dressed and ready to leave Egypt as they ate, expecting God’s deliverance at any moment. At midnight, a family in any house not marked with the blood of the lamb lost their firstborn son. The final plague showed that there was no match for the God of Israel.  After that, Pharaoh ordered Moses and the Israelites to leave. God’s rescue of Israel was also His judgment on Egypt (Genesis 15:13-14).

Why is this important to us today?

This passage demonstrates the contrast between those who worship the one, true God and those who look to other things as their god. We live in a society that promotes being spiritual but rejects Jesus as the Son of God. There are still people who choose to worship creation rather than the Creator. Others deny His existence at all. But God has not changed and holds all people responsible for how they respond to the knowledge of who He is.

God wants us to listen to His warnings and obey His instructions.  Just as the Israelites had to follow God’s instructions for the plague to pass over them, we have to follow God’s instructions to avoid the penalty of our sin.  Jesus is our Passover lamb.  Israel’s slavery pictures our slavery to sin with the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23).  But Jesus’ death is payment for our sin.  Asking Jesus to be your Savior, by faith, marks the “doorframe” of your heart just as their homes were marked by the lamb’s blood.

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:

In our culture, what do people worship other than God? How did Pharaoh’s refusal to obey God affect the Egyptians? What instructions has God given to you?

How can we better follow God this week?

Do you recognize God as the sovereign Lord and supreme ruler in your life?  It’s easy to tell; you will devote your life to whatever you worship. Think back to how you spent your time last week. What does it reflect about what’s most important to you? If we claim allegiance to Jesus, then our lives should demonstrate obedience to His instructions. When you choose to disobey God’s commands, how does it affect others in your family? What specific instruction or command from God will you start obeying this week?

Have you accepted the blood of Jesus as the sacrifice for your sin?  If you have, take time now to tell your family how you received Jesus as your Savior and what difference knowing Him as your “Passover lamb” has made in your life.