1. A New Beginning - Verses 1-2
The month of the Passover was to mark a new beginning for Israel. Henceforth this month which had been the seventh of the old year would be the first of Israel's new sacred year. Several thoughts come to mind here:
a. Our calendar counts years from the birth of Christ. He is the focal point of history.
b. Redemption is a new beginning in the life of God's people. It is a deliverance from the bondage created by the world, the flesh, and the devil (II Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:1-5).

2. The Lamb - Verses 3-6
a. The Lamb of God- John 1:29
The Passover sacrifice was to be a lamb. This mild-natured and inoffensive animal is often used in scripture to picture Christ Jesus (Isaiah 53:7, Genesis 22:8). The lamb was to be a male of the first year. It was to be unblemished, thus making it an apt type of the perfect lamb of God (I Peter 1:18-19).
b. God's Time Frame
This lamb was to be penned up on the tenth day and slain on the fourteenth day of the same month. This reminds us that our Lord lived and died within the time frame of God's plan (Galatians 4:4-5). No one could speed up His death (Matthew 2:13), yet He gave up His life at the appointed time (Luke 23:46).
c.The Lamb Penned Up
Why was the Lamb penned up from the tenth to the fourteenth day? Was it not to verify by observation that there was no undetected blemish in it? Our Lord lived thirty years upon earth before His public ministry even began. At the end of this period the Father declared Him to be blemish-free (Matthew 3:16-17). Christ's death would be meaningless if His purity could be questioned. As the last Adam he was tested and approved in every way (Hebrews 7:26).
d. Particular Redemption
In scripture the sacrifices were never offered for people in general but rather for some in particular. The sinner was identified with, and represented by the sacrifice before it was even offered (Leviticus 1:1-15). Even on the great day of atonement the sacrifice and scapegoat was for the covenant nation, not the other peoples of Canaan (Leviticus 16:15-16 & 20-22). Thus in Exodus 12 we are not surprised to learn that the lamb was slain for, and eaten by a people that were chosen to partake of it before hand.
Christ came to die for those who were specially beloved by the Father. These were chosen to be blessed in Christ Jesus who as their surety would represent them on the cross (Ephesians 1:3-4). Their names were from eternity placed in the book of life (Revelation 17:8) as those for whom Christ would die (Revelation 13:8). As a shepherd He would give His very life for these (John 10:11). Those chosen in Christ will all partake of the benefits of His saving work (Acts 13:48, II Timothy 1:9, Romans 8:32-34).
We refer to this eternal purpose of God as the "covenant of grace." This covenant is between the persons of the Trinity concerning the salvation of those given to Christ by the Father (John 6:37, 17:9). These covenant people are typified in Israel. Notice that while all of Israel had a lamb (verse 6), all the Egyptians, representing the world, lost their firstborn (verse 29).
e. The Lamb Slain
"For the wages of sin is death." Either the lamb or the firstborn must die. Christ is our substitute and our Passover (I Corinthians 5:7). He bore the penalty of our sin and by faith we are clothed in His righteousness (II Corinthians 5:21).
f. The Sufficiency Of The Lamb
Those who trust in Christ find a perfect and all-sufficient Savior. In some cases the house was too small for the lamb, but the lamb was never too small for the house. Christ can save completely all who come to Him by faith (Colossians 2:9-10).
Before closing our study on verses 3-6 we should notice that while thousands of lambs died, the word "lamb" is always in the singular. Does this not emphasize that only one lamb could really take away sin? The 'many' simply pointed to that 'one.'

3. The Blood- Verse 7
It was not enough that the lamb was slain. The blood must be applied to the door so all behind it would be safe. When the death angel passed by it was not the good works of the household, but the blood on the doorposts that saved (verse 13).
Notice that the blood was applied to the top and side posts of the door. No blood was applied at the bottom, for to tread upon Christ and to despise His blood is to incur God's wrath (Hebrews 10:29).

4. The Lamb Eaten- Verses 8-11
Everyone for whom the lamb was slain feasted upon it. This illustrated the truth that salvation is a partaking of Christ Jesus by faith. To spiritually hungry sinners He is the bread of life (John 6:35). As with every type that foreshadowed the Savior, our Heavenly Father was very particular about the details;
a. The lamb was to be roasted with fire until fully cooked. No other method of preparation was allowed. Most students see in this a picture of Christ suffering for our sins, the just wrath of Almighty God. Our sins brought God's judgment upon His own Son (Isaiah 53:10, Zechariah 13:7). As our Lord Jesus suffered on Calvary He, like those in Hell, received no water (John 19:28, Luke 16:24).
b. The lamb was to be eaten with unleavened bread. This represented the sincerity and the absence of guile or hypocrisy in those who partook of the lamb (I Corinthians 5:8). No one can come to Christ by faith except they come in sincerity and truth. Paul also used the command concerning the unleavened bread to emphasize the need for purity and discipline in New Testament churches (I Corinthians 5:1-13, note verses 6-8).
c. The lamb was also to be eaten with bitter herbs. These represented the godly sorrow and repentance found in those who receive Christ (II Corinthians 7:10).
d. Carefully note that the entire lamb was to be consumed. Those who are truly saved have received Christ in all of His offices. He is a prophet to teach us, a priest to cleanse our souls, and a king to rule over us. No one has Him as Savior who refuse Him as Lord.
e. No part of the lamb was left for mere secular use. All was to be consumed at the feast or else burned. Woe to those who attempt to use Christ for worldly purposes. Some join churches for business or social reasons. As Judas learned, this is a most dangerous business.
f. We might also observe that by burning the remains, none was allowed to spoil. Christ's precious body saw no decay (Acts 2:27).
g. Those who partook of the lamb were to do so in full travel attire. Faith in Christ brings one out of Egypt (Colossians 1:13) and makes one a spiritual pilgrim (Hebrews 11:13).
h. Finally we observe that the Passover was to be eaten in haste. Only such as flee to Christ really come to Him (Hebrews 6:18).

5. Passing Through- Verse 12
The Egyptians represented the entire lost world that without Christ will finally suffer God’s judgment. The gods of Egypt were also judged just as Satan and his angels will one day suffer for their rebellion (Matthew 25:41).

6. Passing Over- Verse 13
None of Israel's firstborn died. The blood stood between them and the death angel. Likewise we are safe because Christ shed His blood for our sins and thus became our Passover (I Corinthians 5:7). We are as guilty as the world but Christ's blood justifies from sin (Romans 5:9) and cries out for mercy (Hebrews 12:24).

7. A Memorial - Verse 14
The feast of the Passover was to be repeated every year as a memorial. In this way the gospel continued to be proclaimed in picture. In a very real way the Lord's Supper serves the same purpose in our age. The Passover pointed forward to Christ while the Lord's Supper points back to Him (I Corinthians 11:26).
It is interesting that it was at the last Passover before Christ abolished the Old Testament ceremonial law with His death that He instituted the Lord's Supper for a new age (Colossian 2:14-16, Matthew 26:17-30).

8. The Feast Of Unleavened Bread - Verses 15-20.
On the day of the Passover the feast of unleavened bread began. On that day the house was carefully searched and all leaven (yeast) was removed. Even the floors were swept lest a crumb of leavened bread remained. For seven days no leaven was allowed in the house or used in the bread. The first and seventh days were an holy convocation. Knowing that leaven is a type of sin the symbolism is plain:
a. The Passover was a type of redemption. Redemption brings a cleansing from sin (Hebrews 9:14). Those who trust Christ will, by repentance, sweep out the leaven of sin.
b. We who are redeemed need to be careful to keep the leaven of sin out of our lives (II Timothy 2:22).
c. Those eating leaven were to be cut off from the assembly (verse 19). In the same manner those baptized into the Lord's church are claiming to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. By repentance the leaven has been swept from their life. Should they at a later time begin to reintroduce the leaven of sin into their lives and thus into the membership of the church they are to be dealt with (Galatians 6:1, I Timothy 5:20). When such remain unrepentant they are to be cut off from the privilege of church fellowship (I Corinthian 5: 1-13).

9. Further Information Concerning The Passover - Verses 21-23
a. In verse 21 the lamb is called the "Passover." This agrees with New Testament scripture (I Corinthians 5:7). Christ does not help in salvation, He is our Salvation. In Him alone do we find acceptance with God and forgiveness of sin (Matthew 1:21).
b. The blood of the Passover lamb was applied to the doorposts with hyssop. Hyssop was a small plant suitable for the purpose. In other parts of the Old Testament it is associated with the cleansing power of the blood (Leviticus 14:2-7, Numbers 19:18-19, Psalm 51:7).
Clearly hyssop was a type of faith. Christ has died but salvation does not come until by faith we receive the benefits of His shed blood (Romans 3:25, Ephesians 2:8-9). By faith the blood is applied and we are cleansed. Even the repentance and humility that accompany true faith are illustrated by the insignificant appearance of the plant (I Kings 4:33). It is not great faith but faith in a great Savior that saves.
c. These scriptures reveal the security of God's people. None of the covenant people were to go out of the door and the destroyer would not come in. When all was past there was not one Israelite dead (Exodus 11:7). God had chosen, redeemed, and kept them. Saving faith comes from God and never turns from Christ (I John 5:4, I Peter 1:5).

10. God Keeps His Word - Verses 29-36
Absolute dependence may be placed upon God's word. As God had promised so it happened. Judgment came, Israel was thrust out of Egypt, yet they came out with great wealth (Genesis 15:13-14).

11. Leaving Egypt - Verses 37-39
Nearly two million people marched out of Egypt hurried on by the Egyptians who feared for Israel to remain there any longer (verse 33). We can scarcely conceive what this was really like. Only divine intervention such as the plagues could have nerved Israel for this, and only faith could sustain them. It is not difficult to envision the murmuring that occurred after a few days as many began to wonder if they were not on an insane trek. Only faith is content to follow God and to rely on Him for every need.
Adding to the difficulties faced by Moses was the presence of a mixed multitude that followed Israel out of Egypt. This group probably consisted of slaves and disaffected Egyptians who were glad for any chance to leave Egypt. When Satan cannot keep the redeemed in Egypt, he sends the mixed multitude into Canaan. Much of the trouble and worldliness in church may be traced to this crowd (Numbers 11:4). They profess to follow Christ but hunger after the world.

12. A Night To Be Much Observed - Verses 40-42
The Passover and exodus both stand as a testimony to God's power in delivering Israel and as a type of redemption through Christ.

13. The Feast Restricted - Verses 43-50
God has always been particular about those things that pointed to Christ. Love to the Savior should motivate us to follow the divine pattern in these matters. May God's restrictions concerning the Passover remind us of the need to Scripturally guard the Lord's Supper. Much concerning the proper observance of the Passover has its counterpart in the Lord's Supper:
a.Only those who were circumcised could eat of the Passover. Circumcision was a symbol of the new birth (Colossians 2:11) and a seal of the righteousness obtained by faith (Romans 4:11). Likewise only those who are saved may partake of the Lord's Supper. To partake is to profess communion (participation) in the body and blood of Christ (I Corinthians 10:16).
b. No stranger or mere passerby was allowed to eat the Passover. They were to be already specified as one who would observe the Passover in that household. Such is also true of the Lord's Supper. God's people are to partake in the church whose watch and care they are under. To eat of the one loaf is to profess membership in the church observing the ordinance (I Corinthians 10:16-17).
c. The Passover was to be eaten in one house and not carried abroad. This was the place where God placed His name or authority (Deuteronomy 16:6). Not even a bone was to be broken lest part of the lamb be carried out of the house. (There is not doubt this command concerning the bones of the lamb had prophetic significance- John 19:31-33).
Today the Lord's supper can only be Scriptually observed in God’s house (I Timothy 3:15) by those who are members. A scriptural church alone can act in God’s name for it alone has authority to do the work of God's kingdom (Matthew 28:19, I Corinthians 5:4, Matthew 18:15-20).
d. Finally notice that all the congregation of Israel was to observe the Passover. Even our Lord delighted to do this (Luke 22:15). Today every true Christian needs to be baptized and in a church where the Lord's supper is observed in a Biblical manner. When the ordinance is observed the whole church should be present (I Corinthians 11:33).

14. The Exodus - Verse 51