Look at Passover in a New Light

Re-Post from 2014

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I don't know why, but I have been reading alot about the first Passover recently.  It is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament.  I will recap it here, and I know at least one of you is Jewish so I would LOVE you to share your thoughts on this.

As a matter of fact, it would be interesting to see how the version I read in the Bible compares with what Jews are taught from the Torah.  They should be the same, but what do I know, I've never read the Torah!

So here it goes.  A recap of the 1st Passover:

Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to release the Hebrews from slavery despite the amazing displays of God's powers through Moses.  So God gave instructions to his people prior to the final "plague".

The Hebrews were to prepare a feast.  But the bread was to be made without yeast  (unleavened bread).  As a matter of fact, they were instructed to clean all the yeast from their homes 10 days prior to the event.

They were also told to prepare a lamb for a special meal.  The lamb must be chosen 4 days before it was to be killed.  It must be chosen carefully, it must be perfect in every way, and in the prime of it's life.

On the day it is to be slain, it is to be slain late in the afternoon.   The blood of this lamb was to be placed on the tops and sides of the doorposts of every Hebrew home.  (The Angel of Death would "Pass-Over" homes marked with this sign)

The lamb was to be attached to a forked piece of wood with metal and cooked over a fire.  None of its bones are allowed to be broken.   The Hebrews were to eat it dressed as if ready to leave at once.  It is also to be eaten with bitter herbs.

Last night I read that these instructions are prophesy of the Messiah.   See, Jesus entered Jerusalem and chosen by the people as the King of Jews 4 days before His death.   Jesus is the lamb, He was perfect in every way, being free of sin.  He was in the prime of his life. Jesus we know was crucified, on a "forked" piece of wood and attached by metal stakes.  His bones were not broken, he died late in the afternoon.   Jesus's blood was shed onto the cross and because of this, we are forgiven our sins and in a way the Angel of Death passes over us, because death was conquered such that we do not die, but will live in Heaven with God forever.

The bitter  herbs represent the pain that Jesus suffered on the cross and the bitterness of sin.  The Hebrews had to eat this meal dressed ready to leave.  This symbolizes our readiness to leave behind our life of sin.

This is the interpretation by Steven Copland in "Time for Truth".   I thought it was very interesting as I love reading about prophecy!