The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Past Forward."
Faithfulness was not Israel’s strong suit. The descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, the “Israelites” as they are called in the book of Exodus, were God’s covenant people (see 2:24; 6:4-5; cf. Ge 15). In fact, the Lord calls the Israelites “my people” eighteen times in the book (3:7, 10; 5:1; 7:4, 16; 8:1, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23; 9:1, 13, 17, 27; 10:3; 12:31; 22:25). In connection with their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, Yahweh gives his people instructions regarding the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. They were to observe these annually to commemorate their emancipation.
The Exodus occurred in the month of Aviv (13:4), corresponding to our March/April. On the tenth day of the month, each household was to select a “flock animal,” in most cases a lamb, to keep it for four days, perhaps to make sure it was without blemish, and then on the fourteenth of Aviv, to sacrifice it “at twilight.” The animal would then be roasted and served whole at the Passover meal. The ritual was intended to remind the Israelites of the Lord’s salvation when he “passed over” their houses in Egypt and spared their firstborn—both sons and animals. The bitter herbs eaten with the meal were to remind them of their bitter bondage and the unleavened bread was to remind them of their rapid departure from Egypt (12:1-11, 21-23).
The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be celebrated in connection with the Passover. It, too, was intended to remind the Israelites of what happened on the night leading up to their deliverance. On 12:14-20, one commentator writes: “Beginning after dark on the fourteenth of Abib (which, since the day began at evening, is in fact the fifteenth of Abib), they were to go without leaven in their food for seven days. The first day (fifteenth of Abib) and the seventh day (twenty-first of Abib) were to be special days in which they were to cease from all unnecessary work and gather together in a holy assembly. A similar set of instructions is given in 13:3-7 (cf. 23:15). Those instructions combine some of the features of the Passover meal with some features of the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (John H. Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative, 263). Actually, differences between the two sets of instructions are not substantial, e.g., special worship on the first day is not mentioned in the second (see 12:16; cf. 13:), and directions for instructing sons is not mentioned in the first (see 13:8).
This begs the question, did the Israelites faithfully observe the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread throughout their history as commanded? Unfortunately, they did not. Only five Passover observances are recorded in the Old Testament after their departure from Egypt: 1) one in the wilderness (Nu 9:1-14); 2) one upon entering Canaan (Jos 5:10-12); 3) one under King Hezekiah of Judah (2Ch 30:1-27); 4) one under King Josiah of Judah (2Ch 35:1-19); and 5) one after the exiles returned from Babylonian captivity (Ezr 6:19-22). This is not to say that Passover and Unleavened Bread were only celebrated on these occasions. But Scripture does either suggest or indicate outright that the Israelites neglected to celebrate these holy days for years on end. For example, the Israelites did not circumcise their sons while wandering in the wilderness, so it’s unlikely that they observed Passover and Unleavened Bread (Jos 5:2-9; cf. Ex 12:48). And when Josiah celebrated the Passover in the middle of the seventh century b.c., Scripture says: “The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem” (2Ch 35:18). What’s more, there is no mention of their observance by any king of the northern kingdom of Israel or during the captivity. Faithfulness is not our strong suit either—unfaithfulness being a human trait we all share. Remember Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “As often as you eat this this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes” (11:26 ESV). The apostle said, “as often” not “as seldom.”
Central Message of the Text
Since we are not our own because we have been redeemed by the death of Jesus, the lamb of God, we must dedicate ourselves to serving him.
Family Talk
In our text today God speaks of both commemoration and consecration. I couldn’t help but think of the parenting life in this way. As parents we live both in the past and future, remembering our baby’s darling chubby cheeks and milk coma while at the same time preparing them for adulthood and the great launch. We are both looking back at God’s faithfulness in gifting us our sweet babies (commemoration) while simultaneously setting up or preparing our children for holiness, to be used by God in the future (consecration). Deuteronomy 6:4-9 flows from our text today as practical tips to both commemorate and consecrate. We must start with examining ourselves. Parents, do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength? Can you remember what God has done for you, how He rescued you and brought you out of slavery to sin? Can you think of a time He protected, provided, or showed extreme patience? Honor the Lord by sharing these moments with your kids. Talk about God’s goodness when you sit and when you rise, when you’re at home or walking around town. Bring God into your daily life as you teach and train your kids to be holy, set apart for the Lord. Creatively consider ways to commemorate God’s faithfulness in your home as a visual reminder set stones in the garden, decorate and write in a family journal, string colorful beads and hang them in a prominent place. Recording and remembering what God has done in the past will help prepare your family for the future. We’re praying for you!