Topical Encyclopedia The Paschal Lamb, central to the observance of the Passover, holds profound typological significance within the biblical narrative. Instituted in Exodus 12, the Paschal Lamb serves as a preeminent symbol of deliverance and redemption, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.Biblical Foundation The instructions for the Paschal Lamb are detailed in Exodus 12:3-6 : "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with their nearest neighbor, taking into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats. You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight." Unblemished Nature The requirement for the lamb to be "unblemished" is of paramount importance. This stipulation underscores the necessity for purity and perfection in the sacrificial offering. The unblemished nature of the lamb typifies the sinlessness of Christ, as articulated in 1 Peter 1:19 : "but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." Typology and Christological Fulfillment The Paschal Lamb is a type of Christ, prefiguring His sacrificial death on the cross. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects Christ to the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 : "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 typology is further reinforced by John the Baptist's proclamation in 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!'" Sacrificial Significance The sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb was a means of divine protection and deliverance for the Israelites, as the blood of the lamb marked their homes, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:13): "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." This act of deliverance is emblematic of the salvation offered through Christ's atoning sacrifice, which delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death. Communal and Familial Aspect The communal aspect of the Paschal Lamb, shared among families and neighbors, highlights the collective nature of worship and redemption. This communal sharing prefigures the unity of believers in Christ, as they partake in the Lord's Supper, commemorating His sacrifice and anticipating the eschatological fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. Conclusion The Paschal Lamb without blemish serves as a profound typological precursor to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Its unblemished nature, sacrificial significance, and communal aspect collectively point to the ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ, the true Lamb of God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Peter 1:19 Library The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy Scriptural Types. Christ Our Passover The Last Supper. Chronology of the Life of Christ. Light for them that Sit in Darkness; The Saints' Privilege and Profit; A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ... Resources What is an Easter Vigil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the origins of Easter? | GotQuestions.org The Feasts and Festivals of Judaism ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Paschal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb without Blemish Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: A Male of the First Year Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: A Type of Christ Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Blood of, not Sprinkled on Threshold Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Blood of, Sprinkled on Lintel and Door-Posts Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Chosen Before-Hand Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten in Haste Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten With Bitter Herbs Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten With Shoes On Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten With Staff in Hand Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten With the Loins Girt Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Eaten With Unleavened Bread Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Its Blood to be Shed Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Killed at the Place where the Lord Put his Name Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Killed by the People Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Killed in the Evening Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Not a Bone of, Broken Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Not Eaten Raw Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Not Taken out of the House Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Roasted With Fire Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Shut up Four Days That It Might be Closely Examined Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Taken out of the Flock Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: What Remained of It Till Morning to be Burned Related Terms |
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