_The beginning of months._ A NEW START I. The idea of a new start is naturally attractive to all of us. We are fatigued, we are dissatisfied, and justly so, with the time past of our lives. We long for a gift of amnesty and oblivion. II. There are senses in which this is impossible. The continuit... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the household be too little for the lamb._ TOO LITTLE FOR THE LAMB I. The text reminds us of a primary privilege. 1. That each man of Israel ate the passover for himself; “every man according to his eating.” So do we feed upon Jesus, each one as his appetite, capacity, and strength enable him... [ Continue Reading ]
_Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute Judgment._ THE LORD GOD OF GODS When, in Deuteronomy 10:17, Moses says, “The Lord your God is God of gods,” and when, in Joshua 22:22, the people exclaim, “The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, He knoweth”--what do the words mean? Are there other... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will pass over you._ THE PASSOVER Our interest in the Passover, as in most of the other institutions of the Levitical economy, consists in its relationship to higher institutions, and to a more hallowed provision; it consists in the prefiguration by them of our Surety and Saviour, who is at onc... [ Continue Reading ]
_A feast to the Lord throughout your generations._ ANALOGY BETWEEN THE JEWISH PASSOVER AND THE LORD’S SUPPER I. The Jewish institution was commemorative; so is the Lord’s Supper. 1. It was a “memorial” of a deliverance from the most cruel bondage. 2. It was a “memorial” of a deliverance from the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The feast of unleavened bread._ THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; OR, THE ORDINANCES OF GOD, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY SHOULD BE OBSERVED The feast of unleavened bread was a distinct ordinance from the Passover, though following immediately upon it. At this feast the Israelites were to eat unleav... [ Continue Reading ]
_Strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood._ THREE GREAT TRUTHS TAUGHT BY THE PASSOVER I. The universality of condemnation. Israelite and Egyptian are brought under one common charge of guilt, and there they all stand, “condemned already.” II. The great truth of substitution. The la... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall keep this service._ CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER I. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the principle of vicarious suffering. It is seen in the birth of the infant, in the history of the family circle, in the events of everyday life, but supremely in the Cross of Christ. In th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Did as the Lord had commanded._ WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE 1. Worship of God in faith, humility, and integrity is the fittest way of expressing thanks to him. 2. God’s revelation of grace in providences and ordinances deserve praise from His people. 3. Worship of God and obedience to Him are well co... [ Continue Reading ]
_A great cry in Egypt._ THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN OF EGYPT I. We see here that God’s vengeance is as certainly executed upon the rebellious as it is threatened. Men cannot elude the stroke of heaven. II. We see here that God’s vengeance is upon all sinners, no matter what their social position,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the land._ HASTENED OUT OF EGYPT 1. Note the reason of this urgency. Fear lest death overtake them all. 2. Note the utter selfishness of the motive. No true repentance in it. 3. Urgency is fitting when there is imminent... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the land._ HASTENED OUT OF EGYPT 1. Note the reason of this urgency. Fear lest death overtake them all. 2. Note the utter selfishness of the motive. No true repentance in it. 3. Urgency is fitting when there is imminent... [ Continue Reading ]
_Journeyed from Rameses._ THE SETTING FORTH OF THE ISRAELITES FROM EGYPT 1. The sons of Israel, or Church of God, are in a moving state below. 2. From countries and cities with habitations, God leads His people sometimes to pitch in booths. 3. The number of the seed of God’s visible Church is gr... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the hosts of the Lord went out._ THE EXODUS I. We cannot treat the Exodus as an isolated fact in history. Egypt is the type of the cunning, careless, wanton world, out of which in all ages God is calling His sons. The Exodus remained a living fact in history. The infant Jesus went down into E... [ Continue Reading ]
_A night to be much observed unto the Lord._ THE PASSOVER I. The Passover the appointed means of a great deliverance. The destruction of the firstborn secured Israel’s freedom; the rite itself saved Israel’s firstborn. 1. Wrath was averted. 2. Individual faith and action were required. 3. Perfe... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ordinance of the Passover._ MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS IN REFERENCE TO THE OBSERVANCE OF THE PASSOVER I. That God not only institutes ordinances for men, but also shows in what way they are to be observed. II. That God will not allow any stranger to the death of Christ to partake of His Holy Sacram... [ Continue Reading ]