The term "lasting ordinance" refers to commandments or statutes given by God to the Israelites that were intended to be observed perpetually throughout their generations. These ordinances are often associated with significant religious rituals, festivals, and practices that hold deep theological and covenantal significance within the biblical narrative.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread

One of the most prominent examples of a lasting ordinance is the Passover, instituted in Exodus 12. The Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, marked by the sacrifice of a lamb and the application of its blood on the doorposts. This event is foundational to Israel's identity as God's chosen people. The Berean Standard Bible states in Exodus 12:14, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come."

Alongside Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is also established as a lasting ordinance. This feast begins on the day after Passover and lasts for seven days, during which no leavened bread is to be eaten. Exodus 12:17 commands, "So you are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You are to observe this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come."

Day of Atonement

Another significant lasting ordinance is the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, described in Leviticus 16. This solemn day involves a series of sacrifices and rituals performed by the high priest to atone for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16:29-31 instructs, "This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance."

Sabbath Observance

The observance of the Sabbath is another lasting ordinance, rooted in the creation narrative and reiterated in the Ten Commandments. The Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, emphasizing rest and worship. Exodus 31:16-17 declares, "The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

Circumcision

Circumcision is instituted as a lasting ordinance in Genesis 17 as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. This physical mark distinguishes the descendants of Abraham and signifies their unique relationship with God. Genesis 17:10-11 states, "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

Theological Significance

The concept of a lasting ordinance underscores the enduring nature of God's covenants and the importance of obedience and remembrance in the life of the covenant community. These ordinances serve as tangible reminders of God's faithfulness, deliverance, and holiness, calling the people to live in accordance with His will. They also foreshadow the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who embodies and transcends these ordinances, offering a new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection.