Redemption
A striking feature of the book of Exodus is that, while in chapters one and two we have a period of approximately 429 years, the remainder of the book is occupied with one solitary year. But what a year it was! These were twelve months in which Israel would become custodians of the law of God, they would receive the pattern for the construction and erection of the tabernacle, and be instructed as to the consecration of the priesthood. Fundamental to all of this is chapter 12, in which we have Israel’s national redemption.
Redemption Marked a New Beginning
Redemption always involves a new start, whether in the case of the nation, or with ourselves individually. The Lord said unto Moses “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex 12.2). It was in the spring time, just when new life was beginning to manifest itself. Israel would trace the beginning of their life as a nation back to their deliverance from Egypt. They must be bought out of slavery; God’s righteousness must be displayed not only in the destruction of Egypt, but also in the salvation of Israel. Likewise, for the child of God today, redemption has marked a new beginning. It has drawn a clear distinguishing line between the past and the present. Our thraldom in the slave market of sin, and under the bondage of Satan, has forever been broken. Paul could say to the Roman saints “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom 6.18). Their past life had borne no fruit for God, and remembrance of it now brought only shame (v 21). Redemption ground is entirely new ground; we have been redeemed “from all lawlessness” (Titus 2.14, JND1). While it is vital to remember our former state before God saved us, and what we now are we owe entirely to divine intervention, those things that are past should no longer occupy us.
Redemption by the Blood of the Lamb
The lamb is one of those beautiful types of our Lord Jesus, Himself “the Lamb of God” (Jn 1.29). Five statements are made about the lamb in Exodus 12.5-6:
Redemption Linked with Holiness of Life
The Passover is so intrinsically linked with the feast of unleavened bread that they are practically viewed as one. Luke tells us “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover” (22.1). If the Passover speaks of redemption, the feast of unleavened bread speaks of sanctification. Paul says “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6.20). We have been purchased at an infinite price; the price of the Saviour’s blood. We now belong to another, and are indebted to live entirely for His glory. The paramount characteristic of that life should be holiness; the blood of Christ has not freed me to live for myself. As Mr William Trew put it, “Liberty is not the chance to do what you want, but the opportunity to do what you ought.” If indeed “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” then, by God’s grace, “let us keep the feast” (1 Cor 5.7-8). Verses 15-20 of Exodus 12 outline the principles of this life of holiness. It is marked by completeness, for seven days they were to keep it. Holiness is something that should characterise us consistently in every aspect of life. The feast also involved the eating of unleavened bread. In Scripture, leaven consistently speaks of sin and evil, and it was not to be found in their diet, their dwellings or their devotions (Lev 2.11). We will never live for God if we dabble with sin. Unleavened bread must have been somewhat bland to the taste, and would not appeal to nature. So it is with holiness; it is diametrically opposed to the flesh. The natural man cannot understand it, the carnal man will not pursue it (to his cost), but the spiritual man delights in it.
This brings us to verse 16. It was to be an “holy convocation”, or “holy festival” (Helen Spurrell3). There was a godly joy and celebration about this feast, demonstrating that holiness is not a life of misery and drudgery. If only we could get it into our souls that a holy life is the secret of true happiness! All work had to cease, giving the event total priority. No distractions were to come between the Israelite and the feast. The hymn writer well said:
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
(William D Longstaff)
The celebration was never to be forgotten, but passed on from generation to generation, so that none would ever forget the demands of a holy God upon His people. In a modern world, where we are bombarded daily with defilement, we need more than ever to remember the injunction of Scripture “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet 1.16).
What a subject we have considered! Redemption shelters me from judgment under the precious blood of the slain Lamb. Such a price that He paid obliges me, in willingness and gratitude, to live in holiness for the glory of my Redeemer.
¹ J N Darby, The Holy Scriptures - A New Translation from the Original Languages.
² Revised Version.
³ Helen Spurrell, A Translation of the Old Testament Scriptures from the Original Hebrew.
(To be continued …)
