Topical Bible: The Feast of the Passover: Ordained by God

Bible > Topical > The Feast of the Passover

◄ The Feast of the Passover: Ordained by God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of the Passover is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the biblical tradition, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This feast is divinely ordained, as recorded in the Scriptures, and holds profound theological and historical importance.

Biblical Institution

The Passover was instituted by God as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites. The account of its establishment is found in the Book of Exodus. As the final plague—the death of the firstborn—was about to strike Egypt, God commanded Moses to instruct the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act of faith would cause the Lord to "pass over" their houses, sparing them from the plague. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

Observance and Rituals

The Passover is observed on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, in the Hebrew calendar. The initial observance involved the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, the eating of unleavened bread, and the consumption of bitter herbs. These elements symbolized the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt and the bitterness of their bondage. Exodus 12:14 commands, "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 permanent statute for the generations to come."

Significance in Israelite History

The Passover is not merely a historical commemoration but a foundational event that shaped the identity of the Israelite nation. It marks the beginning of their liberation and journey towards the Promised Land. The annual celebration served as a reminder of God's mighty hand and faithfulness in delivering His people. Deuteronomy 16:1 instructs, "Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the Passover foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The New Testament draws a parallel between the Passover lamb and Christ's sacrificial death. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 , Paul writes, "Get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This connection underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

Continued Observance

While the original Passover was a specific event in history, its observance has continued throughout Jewish history and remains a central aspect of Jewish religious life. The Passover Seder, a ritual meal, is celebrated with specific prayers, readings, and symbolic foods that recount the Exodus account. This enduring tradition highlights the lasting impact of God's deliverance and the importance of remembering His acts of salvation.

In summary, the Feast of the Passover, ordained by God, is a profound testament to His power, faithfulness, and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes throughout history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 12:1,2
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He ...
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany ... He had, at the feast
of tabernacles, set himself forth as ... civil rulers of a land are ordained of God ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxviii feast of the dedication.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law Ceased at the Coming of ...
... I answer that, All the ceremonial precepts of the Old Law were ordained to the worship
of God as stated above ... Hence the feast of the Passover gave place to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the 3.htm

Letter iv. --For 332. Easter-Day vii Pharmuthi , iv Non. Apr. ...
... Therefore blessed Moses of old time ordained the great feast of the Passover, and
our celebration of it, because, namely, Pharaoh was killed, and the ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter iv for 332 easter-day vii.htm

Concerning St. Ambrose and his Elevation to the High Priesthood ...
... [1479] He was initiated and ordained at the ... began to celebrate the festival of the
Passover on the ... he and those who succeeded him celebrated the feast of the ...
/.../chapter xxiv concerning st ambrose and.htm

Monoimus on the Sabbath; Allegorizes the Rod of Moses; Notion ...
... generated, and may declare the law which Moses ordained, who received ... a mystery,
a new and not antiquated feast, legal, (and) everlasting, a passover of the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii monoimus on the sabbath.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... of the week, when we had eaten the passover with Him ... their signs in the middle of
their feast, and knew ... beloved, but are now beloved; a people ordained for the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

Letter xix. --(For 347. ) Coss. Rufinus, Eusebius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... this cause, they continue without a feast until the ... they pretend to keep the Passover,
yet joy ... law, that commandment concerning sacrifices was ordained as law ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xix for 347 coss rufinus.htm

Christ Our Passover
... lamb which should be offered at the Passover was to ... be put in remembrance of the
solemn feast which was ... be Judah's Lamb, chosen of God, and ordained from the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, iii.
... as the reason of our keeping the feast is better ... world in these latter times,
fore-ordained the salvation ... bringing sign of the Cross and the Lord's Passover. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxiii on the feast.htm

The Feast of the Lord
... It was called "The Passover," and the slaughter of the lamb ... through the wisdom of
Mordecai and Esther, they ordained the keeping of the feast of Purim ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the feast of the lord.htm