TORAH, GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS EXODUS 10 - PLAGUE OF LOCUST, DARKNESS, EXODUS 11 - ASK FOR JEWELS OF THE EGYPTIANS, EXODUS 12 - PASSOVER INSTITUTED, DELIVERANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE Say - Welcome to Sabbath School class. Let's bow our head and ask God for understanding as we continue our study of the book of Exodus. In this lesson we will finish the Plagues which were put upon Egypt and the "Ordinance of the Passover" is told to us by God. We will see the "Passover Ordinance" is forever. Again we will study how God is working out all the details of deliverance for His people as He will do in the future captivity. Exodus 10 Say - Here is the Eighth Plague which is Locust. The eighth plague was against the god Serapis who supposedly protected Egypt from locusts according to Bullinger's Companion Bible Commentary; we will see how he did. 1And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him (Many were extremely stubborn and into idol worship both Egypt and in the land of Canaan.): 2And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD (There is no other God but God the Father and God the Son of God.). 3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD (Elohim who became Jesus Christ) God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me (This was Pharaoh's problem, no humility.)? let my people go, that they may serve me (Pharaoh was not going to admit that the God of Israel was the true God). 4Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field (Nothing will be left in the land of Egypt for God had never brought such a calamity upon the land.): 1
6And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh (Egypt was a great empire feared by many nations and now the nations would hear of the devastation from the locust.). 7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed (Pharaoh's servants were willing to admit this was the "hand of God")? 8And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD (The "Feast" was the Days of Unleavened Bread.). 10And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil (death) is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left (Moses is doing more and more of the speaking.). 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15For they covered the face of the whole earth (land), so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you (Now Pharaoh is in a hurry; we should not wait until disaster comes upon us for we are to "seek the Lord while He can be found" Isaiah 55:6, 2 Chronicles 15:2). 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only (The word "death" here means the plague which caused it.). 2
18And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 19And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt (Total deliverance even though it was a "carnal" or man-made repentance; it was not sincere.). 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. Say - Now the Ninth Plague came which was Darkness upon the land. This is the first of four instances of darkness in judgment or punishment, "and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days" Exodus 10:22, "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour" Matthew 27:45, also Jude 13 and Revelation 16:10. This plague was directly against Egypt's sun-god; Ra. God protected His people in the land of Goshen.) 21And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Imagine the suffering of the Egyptians; they could not even go to the bathroom. Spiritually this plague meant a religion of total darkness which is symbolic of the "broadway" of life in our world today. The Bible tells us, "...men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" John 3:19; how true of the story of the Pharaoh and the land of Egypt. In contrast, for God's people, it is a different story; "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness (spiritual darkness) into his marvellous light (truth of God which will lead us to salvation through Christ) I Peter 2:9);. 24And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you (Pharaoh was still bargaining as he called unto Moses.). 25And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind (The word "hoof" means all the animals for they were needed for sacrifice to God and Moses was not going to leave any behind.); for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. 3
27But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. 29And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more (Moses did not leave the presence of Pharaoh until Chapter 11:8 we will see.). Exodus 11 Say - Now the Tenth Plague was about to happen. Always remember the "Ordinance of the Passover" pointed to Jesus Christ, "the "Passover Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world" John 1:29. 1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out (chase you out) hence altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow (ask) of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels (articles or vessels) of silver and jewels (articles or vessels) of gold (These articles of silver and gold were a form of payment for generations of slave labor from the Egyptians and God had the people ask for them. Some of the gold and silver were used in the construction of the Tabernacle we will learn as we go further in our study.). 3And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. 4And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt (This is the announcement of the last plague upon Egypt.): 5And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts (Now the Egyptians will get a taste of their own medicine; there would be total devastation, emotional and physical.) 6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. 7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel (And God still does to this very day.). 8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. 4
9And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land. Exodus 12 Say - We will read of the Passover instituted by God. God wanted them to know these things for the future understanding of Jesus Christ our "Passover Lamb" who was sacrificed for us, I Corinthians 5:7. 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you (This "month" was Abib or the "month of green ears" which was the beginning of the year. Later this month was called Nisan after the Babylonian captivity. The 7th month had always been the beginning of the year and still is the beginning of the civil year as the Feast of Trumpets celebrates.). (God is telling Moses long before the Passover event.) 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb (lamb or a kid), according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house (this was done four days before the sacrifice): Say - The Passover instructions all pointed to Christ. For example, four days, on the "tenth day of this month, vs. 3 above" of the month of Abib, before Jesus Christ was sacrificed on the alter or stake, Jesus, the King, the Great Messiah and Deliverer was coming to Jerusalem for Passover (not Easter) and He was going to be the Perfect Sacrifice. Many pilgrims were swarming into Jerusalem for the Passover Festival and with them the multitudes brought their "lambs without blemish" which had been chosen four days before as God had instructed them in Exodus 12:3-5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God had been chosen as the perfect "Lamb of God without blemish" as "Our Passover sacrifice" and was entering Jerusalem to lay down His life for us His sheep and He was the only one who could "...take away the sins of the world" John 1:29. It is important to understand the sacrifices taught in the Old Testament so we can comprehend the New Testament sacrifice of Christ, the Perfect "Lamb of God". The sacrifices taught that something innocent had to die for our sins and this helps us understand the great sacrifice of Christ who was innocent of sin for 5
the Bible tells us "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" Hebrews 4:15. The Bible tells us " 6 For when we were yet without strength (disobedient to God and had no power of our own to gain salvation of eternal life), in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 8 But God commendeth (showed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (to pay the penalty for our sins). 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood (declared innocent of the penalty of the 2nd death when we accept His sacrifice and repent of sin which is the "transgression or disobedience of God's Law, I John 3:4), we shall be saved from wrath through him" Romans 5:6, 8, 9 also read "Jesus' Death, four days before"). 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls ("souls" means "person" Strong's Concordance "souls" in Hebrew is nephesh #H5315); every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish (Even as "Christ our Passover" was without blemish, "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" I Peter 1:19. The sacrificial "lamb" pointed to Christ. Christ was "innocent" of sin just as the lamb was, Hebrews 4:15.), a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month (Remember Christ made His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem four days before He was crucified as the "Lamb of God" on the weekly Sabbath for He was crucified on a Wednesday at the 9th hour, Matthew 27:46, corresponding to 3 P. M. which was the Preparation Day prior to the Holy Day of The Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Passover Sacrifice was a daytime event for both the lamb and Jesus Christ at His crucifixion.): and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening ("kill it in the evening" means between the decline of the sun in the afternoon and its setting. Christ died on the 14th day of the first month at the same time of day the High Priest sacrificed the Passover Lamb in that Temple.). 7And they shall take of the blood (this was a sign of protection from the "death angel" who was Jesus Christ"), and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8And they shall eat the flesh in that night (end of the 14th beginning of the night of the 15th), roast with fire, and unleavened bread ("unleavened bread" was the "bread of affliction" or "sin", Deuteronomy 16:3); and with bitter 6
herbs they shall eat it (The "bitter herbs" were to remind the Israelites and us how sin gets us into trouble.). 9Eat not of it raw, nor sodden (boiled) at all with (in) water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof ("purtenance" means the entire body). 10And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover ("And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded" means the loose flowing garments were to be fastened up with a belt or girdle making them ready to depart. The Bible tells us, " 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching..." Luke 12:37. Also read, " 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me" Acts 12:8. Also read, " 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth (of God), and having on the breastplate of righteousness" Ephesians 6:14); 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night (close to midnight on the 15th), and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods (animals they worshipped) of Egypt I will execute judgment (punishment): I am the LORD. 13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are (A "token" or "sign" of things to come of the "bread and wine" at the New Testament Passover with the wine representing the atoning blood of Christ which can take away our sins.): and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you (This is WHY we do the New Testament Passover each year to renew our covenant or agreement with God, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30.), when I smite the land of Egypt (The "blood" was a "token or sign" for God when He would pass over that night. Everyone who did this had faith and gave peace to all inside for it was based on God's word which says " 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17. If no "blood" there was no security inside for anyone.) 14 And this day (end of the 14th, beginning of the 15th, vs. 8 above, Leviticus 23:5) shall be unto you for a memorial (engrave this upon our mind); and ye shall keep it a feast (Days of Unleavened Bread) to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever (means without end; someday all will understand this as it is still the same today). 7
15Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread (Unleavened Bread began the day after Passover at the end of the 14th day and the beginning of the 15th day); even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel ("Shall be cut off" and it is the same today; we must do as God tells His people; someday the entire world will come to realize this very important teaching of God. The Bible tells us "...Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" I Corinthians 5:6-8 and the "sincerity and truth" is only found in Jesus Christ and we must study to know what He wants from us as we follow His example.). 16 And in the first day (of the seven days)there shall be an holy convocation (a commanded annual Sabbath), and in the seventh day (last day of the seven days) there shall be an holy convocation to you (a commanded annual Sabbath); no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread (began the day after Passover at the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th of Abib, see Leviticus 23:6.); for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt (on the 15th, Numbers 33:3): therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever (means without end; someday all will understand this). 18In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even (This is the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th at sundown.) ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even (7 days). 19Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land (Those grafted in, one law for all.). 20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. Say - God's deliverance of Israel. 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover (lamb). 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason (The Bible tells us " 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" Psalm 51:7); and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning (The Bible tells us "20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the 8
indignation (punishment sent from God) be overpast (completed)" Isaiah 26:20. Remember for God's People the 7 Last Plagues, which are God's judgment upon the wicked, God's people are with Him.). 23For the LORD (Elohim, the one who became Jesus Christ) will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer (allow) the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses (And God will deliver His people again from captivity after the tribulation). And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight (on the 15th of Abib) the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31And he called (sent) for Moses and Aaron by night (midnight already past), and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 32Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also (Pharaoh realized finally the Hand of God was against him.). 33And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed (asked) of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment (had already done this, Exodus 3:11): 36And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent (gladly gave) unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians (Just as God had told Abraham " 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, 9
will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance" in Genesis 15:14). 37And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses (City of the Sun, Cairo today) to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. ("Succoth" means "booths" and Moses was directed to go this way as it says in the Bible, " 17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near (God did not take them on the easiest route and it is the same for God's people today; we must take the more difficult or "strait or difficult way" to serve God in this world.); for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt" Exodus 13:17. The Israelites had been slaves and did not know or have faith that God would fight for them; their minds were not right at this point. Also the word "booths" means a "temporary shelter" made from boughs of trees and they were taught to keep the Feast of Tabernacles this way every year.) 38And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle ("Mixed multitude" means some Egyptians, Ethiopians were with the Israelites.). 39And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual (The "Feast" they were going to observe before God was the "Feast of Unleavened Bread".). 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt 42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD (the night of the 15th, the Exodus or deliverance from Egypt, the first night of Unleavened Bread) for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations ("Much observed" means a night of sober, solemn watching for God to Passover yourself and family and we are to be a "watchman" for the "sign" of God's return and to always be spiritually ready to meet Him; we must not fall asleep spiritually.). 43And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover (not Easter; we cannot change the plan of God): There shall no stranger eat thereof (A "stranger" is someone not "called" of God, John 15:16, not grafted in or not circumcised with a repentant heart.): 44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof (" 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among 10
you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant" Genesis 17:12-13, circumcision was the "token" or "sign" of God's covenant or that they were God's people.). 45A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 46 In one house (same house) shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof (The same was true of Jesus Christ as He was sacrificed on the stake or alter "But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken" John 19:33, 36) 47All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof (No "uncircumcised" person shall eat the Passover and it is the same today for all must have a repentant heart, been baptized and have received God's spirit.) 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you (one law for all people and it will be that way in God's Kingdom). 50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. MEMORY VERSE...This is the ordinance of the Passover... EXODUS 12:43 SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON FOR TOTS AND YOUTH BELOW 11
THE FIRST PASSOVER GOD SAID UNTO MOSES, "GO IN TO PHARAOH FOR I HAVE HARDENED HIS HEART AND THE HEART OF HIS SERVANTS THAT I MIGHT SHOW THESE SIGNS BEFORE HIM"; PHARAOH WAS VERY STUBBORN AND ALL OF THE PLAGUES SENT BY GOD WAS BECAUSE HE WAS A VERY IDOLATRUS KING OVER THE NATION OF EGYPT. NOW THE EIGHTH PLAGUE WAS ABOUT TO FALL UPON THE LAND OF EGYPT FOR GOD SENT AN EAST WIND ALL ONE NIGHT AND THE LOCUST SWARMED UPON THE LAND EATING EVERYTHING IN SITE; THE LOCUST COVERED THE FACE OF THE EARTH AND THE LAND WAS DARKENED, THEY ATE EVERY HERB, THE FRUIT TREES AND EVERYTHING WHICH REMAINED AFTER THE PLAGUE OF HAIL. THE LOCUST WILL FILL THE HOUSES OF ALL THE EGYPTIANS AND ALL THE NATIONS WILL HEAR OF THE DEVASTATION UPON THE LAND; THE SERVANTS WERE SMARTER THAN PHARAOH, THEY WANTED TO LET THE ISRAELITES GO THAT THEY MAY SERVE THE LORD THEIR GOD BUT PHARAOH WOULD NOT GIVE IN. PHARAOH'S HEART WAS HARDENED AND WOULD NOT LET THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL GO; NOW THE NINTH PLAGUE WOULD FALL UPON THE LAND OF EGYPT; AFTER GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS, MOSES STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND TOWARD HEAVEN AND THERE WAS A THICK DARKNESS IN ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT FOR THREE DAYS. 12
SO THICK WAS THE DARKNESS NO ONE COULD SEE ANOTHER AND THE BIBLE TELLS US "MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL"! PHARAOH GAVE IN JUST A LITTLE AND TOLD MOSES, "GO SERVE THE LORD BUT LET YOUR FLOCKS AND YOUR HERDS STAY AND TAKE YOUR LITTLE ONES WITH YOU". MOSES SAID "NO, FOR WE NEED THE CATTLE TO DO SACRIFICES AND BURNT OFFERINGS UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD THEREFORE OUR CATTLE SHALL GO WITH US AND OUR LITTLE ONES; PHARAOH'S HEART WAS HARDENED AND WOULD NOT LET THE PEOPLE GO; PHARAOH TOLD MOSES "GET OUT OF HERE" AND MOSES ANSWERED, "I WILL SEE YOUR FACE NO MORE" THE FINAL PLAGUE TO FALL ON EGYPT WOULD SOON TURN THE TIDE, EVERY FIRSTBORN EGYPTIAN AND FIRSTBORN OF THE CATTLE AT MIDNIGHT WOULD DIE; GOD TOLD MOSES, "IT'S IMPORTANT YOU INSTRUCT MY PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT THEY MUST DO". "IN THE TENTH DAY OF THIS MONTH OF ABIB, CHOOSE A LAMB OR KID GOAT, ONE THAT IS WITHOUT BLEMISH". "THEY MUST KEEP THE LAMB UNTIL THE 14TH DAY OF THE SAME MONTH AND KILL IT IN THE EVENING BETWEEN THE DECLINE OF THE SUN IN THE AFTERNOON AND ITS SETTING; NEXT THEY SHALL TAKE THE BLOOD FROM THE LAMB AND STRIKE IT ON THE TWO SIDE POSTS AND UPPER DOOR POST OF THEIR HOUSES AND THEY SHALL EAT THE FLESH IN THAT NIGHT; IT SHALL BE ROASTED WITH FIRE". 13
"THEY MUST EAT IT WITH THEIR LOINS GIRDED OR THEIR GARMENTS FASTENED UP IN THEIR BELT, THEIR SHOES ON THEIR FEET AND THEIR STAFF IN YOU HAND AND THEY SHALL EAT IT IN HASTE: IT IS THE LORD'S PASSOVER"; FOR I WILL PASS THROUGH THE LAND OF EGYPT THIS NIGHT AND WILL SMITE ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, BOTH MAN AND BEAST AND AGAINST ALL THE ANIMALS GODS OF EGYPT FOR I AM THE LORD! THE BLOOD SHALL BE TO YOU A TOKEN OR SIGN UPON THE HOUSES WHERE MY PEOPLE ARE AND WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU AND THE PLAGUE SHALL NOT BE TO DESTROY YOU; THIS DAY SHALL BE A MEMORIAL TO THE LORD THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS AND YOU SHALL KEEP IT A FEAST FOREVER SO ENGRAVE THIS ORDINANCE UPON OUR MIND. ON THE 14TH DAY OF THE MONTH AT EVEN OR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 15TH DAY, UNTIL THE 21 DAY OF THE MONTH AT EVEN, SEVEN DAYS YOU SHALL EAT UNLEAVENED BREAD; THE FIRST DAY SHALL BE A HOLY CONVOCATION OR ANNUAL SABBATH AND IN THE SEVENTH DAY THERE SHALL BE A HOLY CONVOCATION. YOU SHALL OBSERVE THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD FOR IN THIS DAY I BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT AND IT SHALL BE OBSERVED FOREVER; SEVEN DAYS THERE SHALL BE NO LEAVEN FOUND IN YOUR HOUSES FOR YOU SHALL EAT UNLEAVENED BREAD FOR SEVEN DAYS UNTIL THE TWENTY - FIRST DAY AT EVEN. 14
MOSES GAVE ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOD; TAKE A BUNCH OF HYSSOP AND DIP IT IN THE BLOOD AND PLACE THE BLOOD ON THE TWO SIDE POSTS AND OVER THE UPPER DOOR OF THEIR HOUSES; FOR THE LORD WILL PASS THROUGH TO SMITE THE EGYPTIANS AND WHEN HE SEES THE BLOOD UPON THE LENTEL AND THE TWO SIDE POSTS THE LORD WILL PASSOVER THE DOOR AND NO ONE WILL DIE OF MY PEOPLE. WHEN YOU COME INTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU YOU SHALL KEEP THIS SERVICE FOREVER; WHEN YOUR CHILDREN ASK YOU WHY YOU DO THIS, "YOU SHALL SAY IT IS THE SACRIFICE OF THE LORD'S PASSOVER WHO PASSED OVER THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN EGYPT". "IT IS THE NIGHT HE SMOTE THE EGYPTIANS AND DELIVERED HIS PEOPLE;" AND THE PEOPLE BOWED THEIR HEAD AND WORSHIPPED GOD AND DID AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES. IT CAME TO PASS, THAT AT MIDNIGHT THE LORD SMOTE ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT FROM THE FIRSTBORN OF PHARAOH AND ALL THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CATTLE. PHARAOH ROSE UP IN THE NIGHT AND ALL HIS SERVANTS AND ALL THE EGYPTIANS AND THERE WAS A GREAT CRY IN EGYPT FOR THERE WAS NOT A HOUSE WHERE THERE WAS NOT ONE DEAD. PHARAOH SENT FOR MOSES AND AARON BY NIGHT AND SAID, "RISE UP AND GET YOU FORTH FROM AMONG MY PEOPLE BOTH YOU AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND GO SERVE THE LORD AS YOU HAVE SAID"; TAKE YOUR FLOCKS AND YOUR HERDS AND BE GONE AND BLESS ME ALSO. THE EGYPTIANS WERE URGENT THAT THEY MIGHT SEND THEM OUT OF THE LAND IN HASTE FOR THEY SAID "WE WOULD ALL BE DEAD MEN". 15
GOD'S PEOPLE TOOK THEIR DOUGH BEFORE IT WAS LEAVENED WITH THEIR KNEADINGTROUGHS BOUND UP IN THEIR CLOTHES AND PLACED THEM UPON THEIR SHOULDERS; THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL JOURNEYED FROM RAMESES TO SUCCOTH WHICH MEANS "BOOTHS" FOR GOD LED THEM THROUGH THE MORE DIFFICULT WAY FOR FEAR IF THEY SAW WAR THEY WOULD WANT TO GO BACK TO EGYPT AND SLAVERY. A MIXED MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE WENT WITH THE ISRAELITES; ALSO, THEIR FLOCKS OF SHEEP AND HERDS OF CATTLE, DONKEYS AND CAMELS; THEY BAKED UNLEAVENED CAKES OF THE DOUGH WHICH THEY BROUGHT OUT OF EGYPT BECAUSE THEY WERE THRUST OUT OF EGYPT AND THEY COULD NOT WAIT. AT THE END OF THE 400 YEARS, ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE WERE DELIVERED FROM THE SLAVERY UNDER PHARAOH IN THE LAND OF EGYPT; IT IS A NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED UNTO THE LORD FOR BRINGING THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT IN ALL OUR GENERATIONS. THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES AND AARON, "THIS IS THE ORDINANCE OF THE PASSOVER; ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL SHALL KEEP IT;" THE PASSOVER POINTED TO JESUS CHRIST, THE PERFECT "LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD", "OUR PASSOVER" WHO WAS SACRIFICED FOR US AT HIS CRUCIFIXION." THAT THEY MAY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD. 16
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