Hey folks, Passover is less than two weeks ago. It’s time to start thinking about it! Let’s jump in…
How did Yeshua the Messiah perfectly fulfill the Exodus Passover?
According to the laws of statistical probability, what are the chances of an event happening and then fifteen hundred years later another event occurring bearing an uncanny resemblance to the first one? Now suppose that not only did fifteen hundred years separate the two events, but that they occurred in two different countries several hundred miles apart. Further suppose that the second event involved the death of a person, and that the events leading up to their death including the manner and timing of that death was beyond the control of the individual dying so that in no way could the person dying stage his death to mirror the first event. In fact, those killing the individual possessed no foreknowledge of the event that had occurred fifteen hundred years earlier. What are the chances of this occurring?
This is not a fictional story! Truth is stranger than fiction. The details of these two events are chronicled in the pages of the Bible. The first event occurred in ancient Egypt and is recorded in the Book of Exodus chapters eleven and twelve. There we find recorded the details of the Children of Israel’s first Passover while they were yet slaves in the land of Egypt. A whole series of events led up to this first Passover, which culminated with each family’s ritual killing of a lamb, smearing its blood on the frame of their doors, roasting the lamb, and then eating it. Doing this insured that YHVH would pass over their homes leaving those inside alive. The firstborn of those whose homes did not have the blood painted on the door frames were killed.
The second event involves a descendant of those ancient people born in a different land fifteen hundred years later. His name was Yeshua of Nazareth, a Jew and viewed by many of his day as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. One of the proofs of his Messiahship would be whether he would fulfill the many prophecies that had been foretold concerning him as recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT). Not only that, the Jewish sages had predicted that many historical occurrences in Israel’s long history were but foreshadows of events to occur in the future. Israel’s first Passover was somehow to replay itself in the death of that prophesied Messianic figure who was to arrive sometime on the scene near the beginning of the fourth millennia from the creation of the world. Was this Yeshua of Nazareth to be that person who would fulfill those Messianic and redemptive expectations of the Israelite people from ancient times?
Let us compare the historical facts of the first Passover in Exodus with those events surrounding the death of Yeshua of Nazareth on the cross by the hands of the Romans. In the following study, we juxtapose the details of the first Passover with the events leading up to and including the death of Yeshua to see how Yeshua supernaturally and amazingly fulfilled, in fine detail, that which was prophesied to happen to him 1,500 years earlier.
- YHVH’s judgment comes upon the Egyptians at midnight because of their sins (Exod 11:4; 12:29).
Judgment was pronounced upon Yeshua late at night (after the Passover seder) in the Garden of Gethsemane where he was betrayed and arrested, and later during his trial (Luke 22:53, 66–71; 23:1–25). Though he was sinless, he carried the sins of mankind upon himself (2 Cor 5:21; Isa 53:6).
- The first born had to die at the hand of YHVH as a judgment against sin (Exod 11:5).
Yeshua is the firstborn of Elohim and the first man born of the Ruach haKodesh (Set-Apart Spirit). In ancient times, as the firstborn was the head, priest and patriarch of his household and thus bore the judgment meted out by the death angel, so Yeshua bore the judgment of our sin — death, which is the wages of sin (Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15:56).
- A perfect, blemish-free lamb was to be chosen for the Passover lamb
(Exod 12:5; Deut 15:21).
Yeshua in accordance with Torah-law was selected four days before Passover and anointed (set apart) as the Lamb (John 12:1).
The people of Israel examined and accepted Yeshua at his triumphal entry in Jerusalem (John 12:2). The religious system examined and rejected Yeshua (John 26:57) because he was a threat to their religious establishment. Judas, one of Yeshua’s closest associates, declared him innocent (Matt 27:3–4). Pilate’s wife declared Yeshua to be innocent (Matt 27:19). The political system through Pilate declared Yeshua to be innocent (Matt 27:23–24). Elohim, the Father of Yeshua, pronounced him guiltless and without sin (Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 1:19).
- This perfect lamb was marked for death and was set aside for a special purpose (Exod 12:3–6).
Yeshua was such a lamb (Isa 53:7; 1 Pet 1:19–20).
- The lamb was to be a year old; i.e., a mature adult (Exod 12:5).
Yeshua died for our redemption in the fullness of his manhood.
- The lamb was separated out on the tenth day of the first month (the Passover was on the fourteenth day of the first month, Exod 12:3).
On the same day Yeshua came to Bethany (John 12:1) where on the evening of the tenth day of the month Mary anointed Yeshua with spikenard (John 12:2–37), the very day the Passover lamb was to be separated.
- The lamb was to dwell with the Israelites in the family’s house until the Passover day when the lamb was then slaughtered (Exod 12:5–6).
Yeshua dwelt with the Jews during this time, including a meal in Bethany, the triumphal entry, turning over the money changer’s tables at the Temple, and his trials. Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, wants to dwell in our spiritual house.
- The blood from the lamb was to be painted on the door posts and lintels of each family’s house (Exod 12:22–23).
So Messiah’s blood (mark) must be placed on our foreheads (thoughts) and hands (actions) for us to be redeemed from the penalty of sin and to protect from the destroying angel of death, which is Elohim’s judgment against sin (Rev 7:3; 9:4; 22:4; Exod 3:9, 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18).
- In order for one to be saved from the YHVH’s judgment on Passover eve, one had to enter the blood-painted door and be inside the house (Exod 12:22).
Yeshua is the door to salvation and to the Father in heaven and no one can be saved without coming through His blood for the remission of sins. There is salvation through no other “door” (John 10:9; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rev 1:5; Heb 9:22; 1 John 1:7).
- Hyssop was used to paint the blood onto the door posts (Exod 12:22).
Yeshua was given sour wine (a figurative symbol of blood) on hyssop while hanging on the cross (John 19:29). Hyssop was an aromatic “paint brush”-like herb. It was used in purification ceremonies in the tabernacle (Lev 14:4, 6, 51–52) and was used as a metaphor of inner cleansing in Psalms 51:7. Blood can symbolized many things, yet add to it hyssop and its cleansing powers from the stain and condemnation of sin and death are emphasized.
- Later in Israel’s history, the lamb was taken to the tabernacle/temple to be sacrificed.
Yeshua was condemned to die by the Jewish priests in the temple in Jerusalem.
- The lamb was roasted by fire (Exod 12:8–9).
Fire is a metaphor for judgment. Yeshua suffered the fire of his Heavenly Father’s wrath and judgment for man’s sins (Matt 27:46; 2 Cor 5:21). What’s more, while a person was dying a slow and agonizing death on the cross, it would feel like he was on fire as his body was burning up with thirst in the hot sun.
- No bones of the lamb were broken, or else it would not have been blemish-free (Exod 12:46).
No bones of Yeshua were broken while hanging on the cross, although it was customary for the Romans to break the legs of the crucified to expedite their death (John 19:31–33).
- Each Israelite was commanded to take a lamb and eat of it (Exod 12:3).
Salvation is an individual matter. Each must partake of the Lamb of YHVH individually. This is symbolized by each person taking communion, which is traditionally done during the third cup of wine during the Passover seder.
- Later, according to Jews religious rules, the Passover lamb was roasted whole over an open fire spit with a pomegranate skewer running through in its mouth and out its vent (like a rotisserie, The Temple: Its Ministry and Service, p. 182, by Alfred Edersheim, Hedrickson, 1978).
Yeshua was “impaled” on a wooden cross—whole, and suffered the “flames” of Elohim’s judgment against sin.
- The Pesach lamb’s blood was placed on the lintel and door posts of the Israelite’s doors.
Yeshua was pierced in the hands and head and bled therefrom. The blood on the door was a perfect outline of the blood on Messiah’s body while he was hanging on the cross.
What is your verdict?
You be the judge, and if you see a pattern here that is outside the realm of natural probability, then consider the truth that Yeshua was the long-awaited Messiah and the Redeemer, the Lamb of Elohim slain from the foundation of the world. It is his blood, when applied to the spiritual door frame (or your thoughts and actions) of your life, that will cause YHVH’s judgment against you because of sin to pass over you. You will thus be spared from the consequences of your sin, which is death (Rom 6:23).
A Decision to Make
Place your faith in Yeshua today. Believe that he died to pay the price for your sins through his shed blood—that he died in your place so that you would not have to die (Rom 10:9–13). Repent of your sins (breaking Elohim’s commandments as revealed in his law), and resolve to never sin again (1 John 1:9). Then ask Yeshua to take up spiritual residence within your mind and heart by his Set-Apart Spirit, and ask him to become the Master (Lord) of your life. Let him supernaturally transform your life from the inside out (John 3:15–18; 5:24). Now walk with him, obeying his word, and by his divine grace and empowerment, live forever!
For believers today, Passover is a unique opportunity, however Passover is about to take on a new and different meaning.
People will not be celebrating the “Lord’s Supper” in the millennium:
1 Corinthians 11:26 As often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you commemorate the death of our Master UNTIL He returns.
While the “Lord’s Supper” will not be commemorated after He returns, the Passover will be celebrated, as prophesied in Ezekiel 45:21, a millennial reign chapter, as will the Feast of Tabernacles, as prophesied in the very evident millennial chapter of Zechariah 14, verses 16-21 in particular.
Yeshua said that He would be eating the Passover then:
Luke 22:15 He told them, “I had really wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 But I tell you, “From now on I WILL NOT BY ANY MEANS eat it UNTIL it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of YHVH.”
(Notice here that fulfilled can not mean “do away with”-just the opposite.)
Also, there is a prophecy that explains that the Exodus from Egypt in the coming Kingdom, will be so entirely supplanted by a coming end time Second Exodus, and the realization of the Jeremiah 31 New Covenant, that the Exodus from Egypt will seldom even come to mind!
Jeremiah 23:7-8 “That is why the days are coming”, declares Yehovah, “When people will no longer affirm, ‘As Yehovah lives, who brought the descendants of Israel out of the land of Egypt’. 8 Instead, they’ll affirm, ‘As Yehovah lives, who brought about the “exodus” of the descendants of the house of Israel out of the North Country, and from all the countries where He had banished them’. Then they’ll live in their own land.
2nd Passover, 2nd Deliverer, 2nd Exodus 2nd Ketubah (Heb 8:7 .. then no place would have been sought for a second.) 2nd defeat of Amalek, 2nd Marriage supper, 1st priesthood restored.
Is part of the reason that the Passover is to be remembered so we can see the bigger picture of the 2nd Exodus?
We read of a 2nd Passover Lamb / and Meal offered to cover the sins, even for the mixed multitude who either joined the children of Israel in a house or survived the 10 plagues/ or end-time tribulation and are present for the offer of the “new covenant”. (Whosever will – their sins covered once and for all Mt 26:28).
We can see two delivers – 1st Moses – 2nd Yeshua (Isa 59:20/Rom 11:26 calls him a gaal – redeemer -deliverer)
Heb 9:28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to DELIVER those who are eagerly waiting for him (CJB)
Heb 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, coming as a Soter – a deliverer (Paraphrase mine)
Our brother Judah calls it the liberation of Pesach, and Shavuot, which is understood to be the conclusion or atzeret Pesach.*
We read of a 2nd Exodus/Redemption/Gaal/Salvation/Deliverance/liberation (Jeremiah 23:7-8, et al) ,
The deliverance was based on believing the initial message of deliverance (Ex 4:31) although they later rejected (Exo 6:9) the promise and the “seven I wills” (Exo. 6:6-8) of the promise of deliverance and of HIM being their God. The rejection occurred after they faced some trials and troubles in their life (making bricks without straw), being persecuted for their faith perhaps end-time tribulation, or “internet starvation” (Tongue in cheek) . The original promise actually precede this going back to Abram (Gen 15:13-16) Yet it had to be received by the present generation.
We can see the first defeat of Amalek, that took place during the first Exodus. (Exo . 17:8-16) ?
Will we see the 2nd Defeat or the Blotting out of Amalek/Esau now or later at the end of the 1,000 years?
We see the first hand of provision – after the seven days of unleavened bread ran out – then they were provided for with bread, water and quail in the Wilderness of Sin .
We see the second example of the hand of provision again in the wilderness. Rev 12:6.
Rev 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Could this be the Wilderness of the people? During the 2nd Exodus?
Then we see a 2nd Marriage Supper (1st Exo. 24:11, 2nd Rev.19:9 and Mt 26:29)
The Covenant with the Children of Israel was first accepted with blind acceptance – they were only aware of the Promises ( Exo 19:3-8).
This is the first ratification or vow. – Then they are told to ready themselves set themselves apart and wash their garments. Exo. 19:10-15.
Then in the morning on the third day they hear the mountain rumble. Lighting and the roar of the Shofar. (Exo 19:16)
We read of the second and third ratifications of the covenant, it could be called a confession or profession of faith or perhaps an oath or marriage vow ( it is not in the Hebrew but only inferred.)
The final ratification’s of the covenant (Plural).
Exo 24:3 So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the LORD has said we will do.”
All the words and the Judgments (Exo 21- 23) – Exo 21:1 “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:” and the 10 words or commandments are read to them (Exo 19:25/Exo 20:1-20) at the completions of the reading of the words and the judgments, then they confess/profess an “oath/vow” this is the 2nd time: “”All the words which the LORD has said we will do.”
Then they get to sleep on it.
Exo 24:4-6 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning (FOURTH DAY), and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
(5) Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.
(6) And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
We read that on the following morning, on the FOURTH day, We have Moses building an altar and another sacrifice being brought, different from the Passover lamb that covered their sins, this one was of oxen. (vs 5). This was a covenantal sacrifice. For the sealing of the covenant.
We read that the blood was sprinkled on the altar and then after the reading of the Ketubah (Sepher of the Covenant), in the hearing of the People, and then the final oath. It was then sprinkled on the people and their washed garments. (We can see similarities of the consecration of the Aaronic priesthood here, I wonder if this was the prototype of the Melchizedek orders consecration was planned to be.)
Exo 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.”
Then the third and final ratification or acceptance and the Ketubah with an oath or vow of obedience. The final yoking. With one voice they said “”All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.”
Are we in the time between the Covenants?
This may very well fit the prototype of the first open and optional covenant – that was not extended to a person(s) but to the peoples.
I think that we can see a pattern of the promises presented before the full covenant is made known.
NOTE: This may have some holes or gaps in it. But it is a work in progress that I have been “fleshing out so to speak.
*Side note: atzeret pesach.*
They gathered an Omer (portion) of manna for each day, now we count the Omer until the conclusion of Passover, or atzeret pesach.
First, the seven days of Passover (Pesach) are followed by a 49-day period of counting the omer, which climaxes with the fiftieth day of Pentecost (Shavuot). Thus, the liberation of Passover (Pesach) is linked with the revelation and giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, known as Shavuot (Pentecost). If we look at the festival cycle, Shemini Atzeret is analogous to Shavuot, which is understood to be the conclusion or atzeret to Passover (Pesach). Just like Shavuot, a one-day festival, is the conclusion to Pesach, a seven-day festival, so Shemini Atzeret, a one-day festival, is the conclusion to Sukkot, a seven-day festival. http://www.mayimhayim.org/Festivals/Feast10.htm)
Jonathan, you touched on so many things. I’d like to comment on just one: the Woman in the Wilderness. So often the only way to figure out what John was referring to is to refer to the Source. I believe that the key to the beginning of Revelation is tied to Isaiah 26. Let’s compare:
Revelation 12: An ‘amazing’ sign was seen in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 Being pregnant, she cried out from birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 Another sign appeared in the sky, a huge fiery Dragon [Gr. drakon] that had seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems were on his head. 4 His tail ‘swept’ away a third of the stars [angels, Revelation 9:1] in the sky and cast them to the ground. The Dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that as soon as she had given birth he would devour her Son [2]. 5 She gave birth to a Son who is to rule all nations with a scepter of iron. Her Child was quickly taken up to Yehovah and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where YHVH had prepared a place for her, so that THEY [3] could nourish her for 1,260 days.
[2] This is apparently dual in meaning. It refers to the whole house of Israel being reborn as a nation—not just Judah. Isaiah 66:7 mentions her Son Yeshua being born, while verse 8 refers to the rebirth of Israel: “As soon as Zion had labor pains, she gave birth to her children!”. Israel is the “woman clothed with the sun…moon…stars” (Genesis 37:9).
[3] Most modern versions omit “THEY”!
Isaiah 26:15 You’ve increased the nation, O Yehovah. You’ve increased the nation! You are clothed with splendor! You’ve enlarged all the borders of the land. 16 Yehovah, they came to You in their distress. They could only whisper a prayer when Your chastening was upon them. 17 Like a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we before You, Yehovah. 18 We have been pregnant. We writhed in pain. We gave birth, it seems, only to wind. We havent brought any delivery to the earth; no births of people into the world. 19 Your dead will live. Their bodies will rise. Those who lie in the dust will wake up and sing for joy. Your dew reflects a delightful light, and the earth will push out her dead. 20 Come, My people, enter your safe chambers [1] and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves briefly until the anger passes over. 21 Yehovah is coming out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their wickedness. The earth will also uncover her blood and no longer hide her slain.
[1] A look at the 38 usages of this word is often associated with comfort, but never a tomb. This is a place of tranquility during Yehovah’s Day of great wrath.
Long story short, we are dealing with 1) the time of the restoration of the 2 houses of Israel—who “must writhe in pain” first, 2) a great resurrection and 3) some people being protected for the entire 1,260 days in what I believe to be New Jerusalem, all of which happens during the 1,260 days.