When your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service . Apparently, Moses adds these injunctions by his own sole authority. He assumes that curiosity will be aroused by the strange and peculiar features of the Paschal ceremony, and that each generation in succession will wish to know its meaning and origin. read more
The obligation of men to teach the true meaning of rites and ceremonies to their children. The rites and ceremonies of a religion are liable to be misunderstood in two ways. 1 . They may be regarded as unimportant, trifling, nay, even as superstitious—a weight and an encumbrance on true vital religion. Or, 2 . They may be assigned more importance than is their due; considered to be that in which religion mainly consists, believed to have an inherent power and efficacy which is far... read more
What mean ye by this service? Apply to the Lord's Supper. I. A QUESTION TO BE PUT BY THE COMMUNICANT TO HIMSELF . Qualification for the Lord's table includes "knowledge to discern the Lord's body," as well as "faith to feed upon him." II. A QUESTION LIKELY TO BE PUT TO THE COMMUNICANT By HIS CHILDREN . 1 . The children are presumed to be spectators of the ordinance. It is well that children should be present during the administration... read more
The children's question in Canaan. I. IT WAS A QUESTION TO BE EXPECTED . The service was one to provoke curiosity. It was not some daily action of the household, of which the children learned the meaning and purpose almost unconsciously. The grinding of the corn, the kneading of the dough, in a very short time explained themselves. But when as the beginning of the year drew round, it brought with it these special observances, the slaying and eating of the lamb and the seven... read more
It is the sacrifice . It has been denied that the Paschal lamb was, in the true sense of the word, a sacrifice (Carpzov and others). But this passage alone is decisive on the question, and proves that it was. Moreover, it was offered in the holy place ( Deuteronomy 16:5 , Deuteronomy 16:6 ); the blood of it was sprinkled upon the altar, and the fat was burnt ( 2 Chronicles 30:16 ; 2 Chronicles 35:11 ). Compare also Exodus 23:18 ; Numbers 9:7 ; Deuteronomy 16:2 . The people... read more
It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover - or This is the sacrifice of the Passover to Yahweh. The most formal and exact designation of the festival is thus given: but “the Passover” may mean either the act of God’s mercy in sparing the Israelites, or the lamb which is offered in sacrifice: more probably the latter, as in Exodus 12:21. This gives a clear sense to the expression “to Yahweh;” the Passover lamb was a sacrifice offered to Yahweh by His ordinance. read more
Exodus 12:27. The people bowed the head and worshipped They hereby signified their submission to this institution as a law, and their thankfulness for it as a privilege. read more
The Passover (12:1-36)Until now the Israelites had escaped the judgment of the plagues without having to do anything, but now their safety depended on their carrying out God’s commands. Redemption involves faith and obedience.Each family would be delivered from judgment only by killing a sacrificial animal as substitute for it, and sprinkling the animal’s blood on the door of the house where the family lived. The sprinkled blood indicated to those outside that a substitutionary sacrifice had... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:21-29
Christ our Passover. The Passover was an eminent type of Christ. It was probably to it the Baptist referred when he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John L 29). Paul gives a decisive utterance on the question in the words: "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" ( 1 Corinthians 5:7 ). I. POINTS OF ANALOGY BETWEEN THE TRUE PASSOVER AND ITS TYPE . 1 . In both the death of a blameless victim. The lamb, physically... read more