A Need for Protection

TEXT: Exodus 12:1-14

‍OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to relate that just as the blood of the lamb applied to the doorposts of the houses protected the Children of Israel from physical death, so the Blood of Jesus applied to our hearts protects us from spiritual death.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

The Passover was the first of three annual festivals of the Israelites, celebrated in the month of Nisan (March-April). The feast was instituted by God to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, making them free people owing allegiance to no one but God. On the tenth day of the month, the head of each family was to select from the flock either a lamb or a kid, male of the first year, without blemish. On the fourteenth day, he was to kill the lamb while the sun was setting, and using a sprig of hyssop dipped in a basin of the lamb’s blood, sprinkle the lintel and two side posts of the door of the house. The lamb was to be thoroughly roasted whole, not to be boiled or have any bones broken. It was to be eaten with unleavened bread (bread which does not rise) and bitter herbs, and it would seem that it was to be eaten standing. All of the edible parts of the lamb were to be eaten, and any parts which could not be eaten were to be burned in the morning.

Hyssop is a bushy herb of the mint family, having thick hairy leaves, and is native to Egypt and Palestine. It was mixed with vinegar to relieve pain.

There is some doubt as to who the Pharaoh was at the time of the Exodus. However, since the firstborn of all the Egyptians, including the Pharaoh’s son, died during the Passover, Amenhotep II and Merneptah are two Pharaohs who are considered the likely possibilities. Neither of their successors were their firstborn. So, whichever the Pharaoh, the Biblical story is confirmed.

QUESTIONS

The forefathers of the Children of Israel had offered sacrifices from the beginning of sacred history. When bringing judgment on the people of Egypt, God once more revealed to the Israelites the importance of the blood of sacrifices when applied as He required. Today we must have the Blood of Jesus applied to our hearts if we expect to escape the consequences of sin.

1. Who gave the instructions to God’s people for preparing the Passover lamb? What can we conclude regarding God’s plan for spiritual authority? See Ephesians 4:11-13.
   
   Response: Moses and Aaron gave the instructions. Discuss with the class the fact that God has always had spiritual leaders and advisers that He chooses for instructing and admonishing the flock of God.
   
2. Why were the Israelites instructed to sacrifice a lamb without blemish? What special significance does this portray? See Hebrews 9:12-14 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.
   
   Response: A lamb without blemish was a perfect lamb. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice such a lamb in order that they might be delivered from the plague of death, and ultimately from the land of Egypt. The students should know that the Old Testament sacrifices pointed toward the sacrifice of Jesus on Mt. Calvary. Jesus was the perfect Lamb—without blemish, without sin—and fulfilled God’s requirement.
   
3. What was to be done with the blood of the lamb?
   
   Response: The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the lintel and side posts of the door so that all those within the house would be protected. The students should know that in a spiritual sense they must have the Blood of Jesus applied to their hearts. Ask your students how this can be accomplished so that they, too, can be protected from judgment to come.
   
4. List some of the ways in which the Passover lamb was a type of Christ.
   
   Response: Both were a sin offering, a sacrifice, male, without blemish, gentle, innocent, slain without any bones being broken, and brought about a deliverance from judgment when their blood was applied.
   
5. Why was it necessary for the Israelites to eat this first Passover feast in haste?
   
   Response: It was necessary for the Israelites to eat in haste because they were to leave Egypt that very night. The class should understand that they, too, should respond quickly to the call of God as they have no assurance of tomorrow. The Lord may come before another sunrise.
   
6. What was the final judgment God sent upon the Egyptians, and why? See Exodus 11:1,5.
   
   Response: The final judgment was the death of the firstborn of man and beast of the land of Egypt. The students should realize that God had dealt with the Egyptians in nine plagues of increasing severity, yet they had not released the Israelites or made any effort to repent. In our country most people have heard of the coming of the Lord and of judgment to come, but how few seem to be making the necessary preparation.
   
7. The Israelites had to take some action to escape God’s judgment. What action must people take today if they expect to escape the judgment of God on this world? See Romans 3:23; Acts 17:30; John 3:16 and 8:31.
   
   Response: The students should understand that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need to call on God in repentance (Acts 17:30). They must believe that God will have mercy and save them (John 3:16). Then, they must continue to follow the Lord (John 8:31).
   
8. The Israelites were instructed to keep the Passover as a memorial forever. At Jesus’ last Passover supper, He instituted something which Christians today do in remembrance of their Passover Lamb. What is it called and what does it commemorate? See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and 11:23-26.
   
   Response: It is called the ordinance of Communion. It commemorates the broken Body and the shed Blood of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
   
9. Why is it so important to answer yes immediately to the call of God to one’s heart? See Genesis 6:3; Matthew 24:44 and James 4:14.
   
   Response: Encourage class discussion. God’s Spirit will not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3). The Lord will come in an hour that they think not (Matthew 24:44). They do not know when their time will come to die (Psalm 31:15; James 4:14). Also discuss the many blessings that are theirs if they follow the Lord. See Matthew 11:28; 19:29; John 14:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 5:22-23.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

Give each student a paper sign which gives instructions for protection or a warning. For example: Stop, Railroad Crossing, Beware of Dog, Poison, Fasten Seat Belts, Restricted Area. Ask your students what the signs have in common. Let each one describe a situation where his sign might be seen, and possible consequences if the sign is ignored. Then hold up a Bible and explain that it contains our “warning sign,” and the importance of heeding that warning.

Needed: paper heart for each student, pencils, matches, sealing wax. Inside his paper heart, have each student write his name and the date he was saved. Let the students use sealing wax to seal the hearts as an illustration of the application of Christ’s Blood to the spiritual heart. Make the point that only the individual can separate himself from God’s salvation, or break the seal.

Put one or two packages of yeast, warm water, and sugar in a thermos. (The thermos is to keep the water warm.) When these are combined and start to “work,” they represent leavened bread—impure and spreading like sin. When yeast, or other leavening is not used as an ingredient in bread-making the bread is unleavened. Purchase or make some unleavened bread for students to taste.

Have your students pretend that they are Hebrew children eating their final meal before leaving Egypt. Have them write or tell “I was there” stories, describing what it was like. To guide them, use such questions as, What happened? What were you wearing? What did you eat? How did you feel? Why was the meal so important?

Using notebook paper or cardboard, draw a house with doorposts and lintels. Use a bush (for hyssop) and paint the door frame red (red food coloring mixed with a small amount of water). Show pictures of the cross and Jesus to students. Tell them that in the next few lessons we will learn how these play an important part in people’s lives.