God’s Renewing Word of Joy
Introduction
Exodus 12:37-51: As the Israelites left Egypt, the LORD kept watch. The LORD gives Moses and Aaron regulations about the Passover.
Scripture Reading
The Israelites Leave Egypt
37 The Israelites set out on foot from Rameses for Sukkoth. There were about 600,000 men, not counting women and children. 38 A large number of other people and many sheep, goats, and cattle also went with them. 39 They baked unleavened bread from the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for they had been driven out of Egypt so suddenly that they did not have time to get their food ready or to prepare leavened dough.
40 The Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years. 41 On the day the 430 years ended, all the tribes of the Lord’s people left Egypt. 42 It was a night when the Lord kept watch to bring them out of Egypt; this same night is dedicated to the Lord for all time to come as a night when the Israelites must keep watch.
Regulations about Passover
43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the Passover regulations: No foreigner shall eat the Passover meal, 44 but any slave that you have bought may eat it if you circumcise him first. 45 No temporary resident or hired worker may eat it. 46 The whole meal must be eaten in the house in which it was prepared; it must not be taken outside. And do not break any of the animal’s bones. 47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate this festival, 48 but no uncircumcised man may eat it. If a foreigner has settled among you and wants to celebrate Passover to honor the Lord, you must first circumcise all the males of his household. He is then to be treated like a native-born Israelite and may join in the festival. 49 The same regulations apply to native-born Israelites and to foreigners who settle among you.” 50 All the Israelites obeyed and did what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 On that day the Lord brought the Israelite tribes out of Egypt.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Exodus 12:41b, 42
All the tribes of the LORD’s people left Egypt. It was a night when the LORD kept watch to bring them out of Egypt; this same night is dedicated to the LORD for all time to come as a night when the Israelites must keep watch.
Reflect
How many years had the Israelites lived in Egypt? How do you envision their exodus from Egypt? In verse 42, it is stated that “the Israelites must keep watch” for all time to come as part of the Passover ritual. What is your understanding of the phrase, “keep watch?” According to verses 43-51, what regulations are given about Passover? Within your community of faith, are there specific instructions for various observances and celebrations?
Pray
Lord God, thank you for continuing to watch over me. You are always with me, and I rest secure in your love. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 13:1-10: The Festival of Unleavened Bread is to serve as a reminder of what the LORD had done in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.