The Institution of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-14)
God establishes a new calendar for Israel, marking the Passover as the first month of the year (Exodus 12:2).
Each household is instructed to select a lamb without blemish, symbolizing purity and perfection (Exodus 12:5).
The blood of the lamb is to be applied to the doorposts, serving as a sign for God to pass over and spare the firstborn (Exodus 12:7, 13).
The Passover meal is to be eaten in haste, signifying readiness for deliverance (Exodus 12:11).

The Plague of the Firstborn (Exodus 12:29-30)
At midnight, the LORD strikes down all the firstborn in Egypt, demonstrating His power and judgment (Exodus 12:29).
The Egyptians experience great mourning, leading to Pharaoh's decision to release the Israelites (Exodus 12:30-31).

The Exodus Begins (Exodus 12:31-42)
The Israelites leave Egypt with haste, taking with them the wealth of the Egyptians as God had promised (Exodus 12:35-36).
The chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the deliverance of his descendants (Exodus 12:40-41).

The Passover as a Lasting Ordinance (Exodus 12:43-51)
God commands that the Passover be observed annually as a lasting ordinance, ensuring that future generations remember His deliverance (Exodus 12:24-27).Recognize the Importance of Obedience
Just as the Israelites followed God's specific instructions for the Passover, we are called to obey God's Word in our lives.

Understand the Power of Redemption
The blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from judgment, pointing to the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice for us.

Live with Readiness and Expectation
The Israelites ate the Passover meal in haste, ready to move at God's command. We too should live with a sense of readiness for God's direction and the return of Christ.

Celebrate God's Faithfulness
Just as the Israelites commemorated the Passover annually, we should regularly remember and celebrate God's faithfulness and deliverance in our lives.1. The LORD (YHWH)
The central figure who gives instructions to Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover. The Hebrew name used here is יְהוָה (YHWH), often rendered as "the LORD" in English translations.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses receives and communicates God's instructions for the Passover to the Israelites.

3. Aaron
Moses' brother and spokesperson, who assists Moses in leading the Israelites and conveying God's commands.

4. The Israelites
The descendants of Jacob (Israel), who are enslaved in Egypt and are the recipients of God's deliverance through the Passover and the Exodus.

5. The Elders of Israel
Leaders among the Israelites who are instructed by Moses to communicate the Passover instructions to the people.

6. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, who initially refuses to let the Israelites go but eventually relents after the death of the firstborns in Egypt.

7. The Egyptians
The people of Egypt who suffer the plagues, including the death of the firstborns, leading to the release of the Israelites.

8. The Firstborn
Refers to the firstborn sons of both humans and animals in Egypt, who are struck down during the final plague.

9. The Mixed Multitude
A group mentioned in Exodus 12:38, consisting of non-Israelites who leave Egypt with the Israelites.1. Egypt
Egypt is the land where the Israelites were enslaved and from which they were delivered. The entire chapter revolves around the events leading to their departure from Egypt. The Hebrew term for Egypt is "Mitzrayim" (מִצְרַיִם), which is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to refer to this nation.

2. Goshen
While not explicitly mentioned in Exodus 12, Goshen is the region in Egypt where the Israelites lived. It is implied as the starting point of their journey. Goshen is referred to in earlier chapters of Exodus as the place where the Israelites settled during Joseph's time.

3. Rameses
Exodus 12:37 states, "The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth." Rameses is the starting point of the Israelites' exodus. It is often associated with the city of Pi-Ramesses, a significant city in the Nile Delta during the time of the Pharaohs.

4. Succoth
Succoth is the first stop on the Israelites' journey out of Egypt. The name "Succoth" (סֻכּוֹת) means "booths" or "temporary shelters," indicating a place of temporary dwelling.1. The Lord's Instructions to Moses and Aaron
The Lord speaks to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, instructing them on how to establish the month of Nisan as the first month of the year for the Israelites (Exodus 12:1-2). The Hebrew word for "month" is "חֹדֶשׁ" (chodesh), indicating a new moon or a new month.

2. The Passover Lamb
Each household is to select a lamb on the tenth day of the month, without blemish, a male a year old, either from the sheep or the goats (Exodus 12:3-5). The Hebrew term for "without blemish" is "תָּמִים" (tamim), meaning complete or perfect.

3. The Lamb's Sacrifice
The lamb is to be kept until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight (Exodus 12:6). The Hebrew word for "twilight" is "בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם" (bein ha'arbayim), meaning between the evenings.

4. Blood on the Doorposts
The Israelites are instructed to take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat the lamb (Exodus 12:7).

5. Eating the Passover Meal
The lamb is to be roasted with fire and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. None of it should be eaten raw or boiled, and any remains must be burned by morning (Exodus 12:8-10).

6. Instructions for Eating
The Israelites are to eat the meal with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand, eating it in haste as it is the Lord's Passover (Exodus 12:11).

7. The Lord's Passover
The Lord will pass through Egypt to strike down every firstborn, both man and beast, executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt. The blood on the houses will be a sign, and the Lord will pass over those houses, sparing them from the plague (Exodus 12:12-13).

8. Establishment of the Feast
The day is to be a memorial and a feast to the Lord throughout generations, celebrated as a statute forever (Exodus 12:14).

9. The Feast of Unleavened Bread
For seven days, the Israelites are to eat unleavened bread, removing leaven from their houses. Anyone who eats leavened bread during this time will be cut off from Israel (Exodus 12:15-20).

10. Moses Communicates the Instructions
Moses calls the elders of Israel and instructs them to select and slaughter the Passover lamb, apply the blood, and follow the Lord's commands (Exodus 12:21-23).

11. The People Worship and Obey
The Israelites bow down and worship, then go and do as the Lord commanded through Moses and Aaron (Exodus 12:24-28).

12. The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn
At midnight, the Lord strikes down all the firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's firstborn to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock (Exodus 12:29-30).

13. Pharaoh's Response
Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron by night, telling them to leave Egypt with the Israelites and their possessions, urging them to go and serve the Lord (Exodus 12:31-32).

14. The Exodus Begins
The Egyptians urge the Israelites to leave quickly, fearing further death. The Israelites take their dough before it is leavened, their kneading bowls bound in their clothes on their shoulders (Exodus 12:33-34).

15. Plundering the Egyptians
The Israelites ask the Egyptians for articles of silver, gold, and clothing, and the Lord gives them favor, so they plunder the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36).

16. The Journey from Rameses to Succoth
About six hundred thousand men, besides women and children, journey from Rameses to Succoth, along with a mixed multitude and large flocks and herds (Exodus 12:37-38).

17. Baking Unleavened Bread
The Israelites bake unleavened cakes of the dough they brought from Egypt, as it was not leavened due to their hasty departure (Exodus 12:39).

18. Duration of the Israelites' Stay in Egypt
The Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years, and at the end of this period, all the Lord's divisions leave Egypt (Exodus 12:40-41).

19. The Night of Watching
The night is described as a night of watching to be kept by the Lord for bringing them out of Egypt, to be observed by all Israelites throughout generations (Exodus 12:42).

20. Passover Regulations
The Lord gives additional regulations for the Passover, including who may eat it and how it should be eaten, emphasizing that no foreigner may eat it unless circumcised (Exodus 12:43-49).

21. The Israelites' Obedience
All the Israelites do just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, and on that very day, the Lord brings the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions (Exodus 12:50-51).John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Thanksgiving for Deliverance
Thank God for His deliverance and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, our Passover Lamb.

Obedience to God's Word
Pray for a heart that is willing to obey God's instructions, even when they require faith and trust.

Readiness for God's Call
Ask God to help you live with a sense of readiness and expectation for His guidance and the return of Christ.

Remembrance of God's Faithfulness
Pray for a spirit of gratitude and remembrance for God's faithfulness in your life and the lives of others.

1. What does the Passover symbolize in the lives of the Israelites and what relevance does it have in the life of a modern Christian?

2. How does the notion of obedience, as exemplified in this chapter, apply to present-day living?

3. In what ways do the specifics of the Passover meal reflect the situation the Israelites were in?

4. How does the event of the first Passover teach us about God's justice and mercy?

5. How can the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt inspire us in times of personal adversity?

6. What might be the symbolism of the unblemished lamb in the context of Christian faith?

7. How do the acts of faith by the Israelites apply to us in modern times?

8. How can the Exodus event inspire a belief in divine providence during difficult times?

9. What do you think the reaction of the Israelites upon receiving the divine instructions teaches us about faith and obedience?

10. How does the LORD's protection of the Israelites' homes during the Passover relate to God's protection in your life?

11. How can you relate Pharaoh's decision to let the Israelites go to instances of liberation in your life?

12. How does the generosity of the Egyptians during the Israelites' departure illustrate the concept of restitution?

13. How does the experience of the Israelites in Egypt relate to the concept of perseverance?

14. How do the meticulous instructions about the Passover reflect on the importance of details in our obedience to God's word?

15. How does the story of the Exodus demonstrate the power of communal faith and obedience?

16. Why do you think the observance of Passover was made a permanent statute for the Israelites?

17. How does the account of the Passover instruct us on the importance of rituals and traditions in our spiritual journey?

18. What are some of the personal "Egypts" or places of bondage that you feel God is calling you out of today?

19. What does the concept of "divine distinction" (between Egypt and Israel) mean to you in a modern context?

20. How can you apply the principle of faith, as demonstrated by the Israelites during the Passover, to your personal life challenges today?