‏ Exodus 7:14-25

Exodus 7:14−25: The Plagues of Egypt – Water Turned to Blood

This passage describes the first of the ten plagues God sends on Egypt: turning the water of the Nile and all other water sources into blood. This was a very serious punishment because water is necessary for life, and the Egyptians depended on the Nile for food and drink. The plague was also a judgment on the Egyptians for worshipping the Nile and for their cruelty to the Israelites. Even though the magicians tried to copy the miracle, Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. The Egyptians suffered, but Pharaoh did not repent.

v. 14-15: God tells Moses that Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn and he still refuses to let the Israelites go. God instructs Moses to meet Pharaoh in the morning by the river, carrying the same rod that was turned into a serpent. Moses is to deliver God’s message and warn Pharaoh about the coming plague (v. 14, 15 ^a).

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v. 16-18: Moses must tell Pharaoh that the Lord God of the Hebrews demands that His people be set free to serve Him. Because Pharaoh has refused, God will strike the river with the rod and turn its waters into blood. The fish will die, the river will smell bad, and the Egyptians will not be able to drink the water. This is a direct attack on something Egypt worshipped—the Nile River (v. 16-18 ^b).

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v. 19-21: Aaron is told to stretch his rod over all the waters of Egypt—rivers, streams, ponds, and stored water. Everywhere, the water turns to blood, even in containers. The fish die and the river smells so bad the people cannot drink from it. This shows God’s power over all creation, and that sin can turn blessings into curses (v. 19-21; Psalm 105:29 ^c).

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v. 22-23: The Egyptian magicians use their secret arts to copy the miracle, turning more water into blood. Pharaoh sees this and refuses to listen or pay attention to the warning. He simply goes back to his house, showing he is not moved by God’s judgment (v. 22, 23 ^d).

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v. 24: The Egyptians have to dig around the river to find water to drink, because all the river water is now unusable. God still shows some mercy by allowing them to find a little fresh water, even in the middle of judgment (v. 24 ^e).

v. 25: The plague lasts seven days, but Pharaoh still does not ask for it to be removed or show any sign of repentance. This shows how a hard heart can lead people to ignore even the most serious warnings from God (v. 25; Job 36:13 ^f).

‏ Exodus 8

Exodus 8:1−15: The Plagues of Egypt – The Plague of Frogs

In this passage, God sends a second plague on Egypt—frogs. This plague shows God’s power because He uses small, weak creatures to humble the proud king Pharaoh. Frogs fill every part of Egyptian life, making people miserable. Even though the magicians try to copy this plague, they cannot remove it. Pharaoh promises to let the Israelites go if the frogs are removed, but when the plague stops, he hardens his heart again and refuses to keep his promise. This shows how people can quickly forget their promises to God when their troubles are over.

v. 1-4: God tells Moses to warn Pharaoh again, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” If Pharaoh refuses, God will send frogs that will come out of the river, enter houses, bedrooms, beds, ovens, and kneading bowls. Frogs will bother everyone in Egypt, showing that God’s judgment cannot be avoided (v. 1-4 ^g).

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v. 5-6: God commands Moses to tell Aaron to stretch out his hand over the waters of Egypt. When Aaron obeys, frogs come up everywhere and cover the land. This teaches that God can use even small animals to carry out His will (v. 5, 6 ^h).

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v. 7: The magicians of Egypt also use their secret arts to bring up frogs. However, they cannot remove the frogs. This shows that evil powers can sometimes imitate God’s works, but they cannot truly help people (v. 7; Revelation 16:13 ⁱ).

v. 8: Pharaoh is finally troubled by the frogs and asks Moses and Aaron to pray to the Lord to remove them. He promises to let the Israelites go if the frogs are taken away. This shows that even proud people can be humbled when they are suffering (v. 8 ^j).

v. 9-10: Moses gives Pharaoh the chance to choose the time for the frogs to be removed. Pharaoh says “tomorrow.” Moses agrees, to show that it is the Lord who controls the timing and power of the miracle. This is to prove that there is no one like the Lord (v. 9, 10 ^k).

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v. 11-12: Moses promises the frogs will be gone except from the river. Then he and Aaron leave Pharaoh, and Moses prays to God to remove the frogs. This shows the importance of prayer, even for enemies or those who cause trouble (v. 11, 12 ^l).

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v. 13-14: God answers Moses’ prayer. The frogs die everywhere except the river, and the Egyptians gather their dead bodies into heaps, making the whole land stink. This makes it clear that the frogs were real, not just a trick (v. 13, 14 ^m).

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v. 15: When Pharaoh sees the plague has ended, he becomes stubborn again and refuses to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as God had said. This teaches that people often forget their promises to God when life becomes comfortable again (v. 15; Ecclesiastes 8:11 ⁿ; Psalm 78:34 ^o).

Exodus 8:16−19: The Plagues of Egypt – The Plague of Lice

This passage describes the third plague on Egypt, the plague of lice. Unlike the previous plagues, there is no warning given to Pharaoh this time. God uses something as small as lice to trouble the Egyptians. The magicians try to copy the miracle but fail. They admit that this is the work of God, but Pharaoh still refuses to listen and becomes even more stubborn.

v. 16-17: God tells Moses to order Aaron to stretch out his rod and strike the dust of the earth. Aaron obeys, and the dust turns into lice throughout all Egypt. The lice infest both people and animals. This shows God can use even the smallest things in creation to punish those who disobey Him (v. 16, 17 ^p).

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v. 18: The magicians try to use their secret arts to bring forth lice, but they cannot. They also cannot remove the lice. This reveals that God’s power has limits that no one can cross, and that even the magicians’ earlier successes only happened because God allowed it (v. 18 ^q).

v. 19: The magicians tell Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” They admit that this miracle is from God and beyond their power. Still, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, and he does not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. This shows that people can become even more stubborn when they refuse to learn from God’s warnings (v. 19 ^r).

The Plague of Flies

In this section, we learn about the fourth plague that God sent upon Egypt through Moses. This plague followed a warning to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go so they could worship the Lord. Pharaoh's refusal led to God's demonstration of his power, showing both his control over nature and his protection of his people, even in the midst of judgment.

v. 20: God commanded Moses to rise early and stand before Pharaoh as he went to the water. Moses was to deliver the message: “Thus says the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me” . This was a repeated call for Pharaoh to release the Israelites, with the specific purpose of worshiping God.

v. 21: Moses warned Pharaoh that if he refused, God would send swarms of flies. These flies would infest Pharaoh's house, his servants' houses, and all the land of Egypt, filling the houses and covering the ground. This plague would be unbearable, showcasing God's power over Pharaoh's domain .

v. 22-23: God declared that he would protect the land of Goshen, where his people, the Israelites, lived. No flies would enter that region, proving that God was actively distinguishing between his people and the Egyptians. He said, “To the end you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth” (Exodus 8:22-23 ^s). This separation underscored God's sovereignty and his special care for his chosen people.

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v. 24: As promised, God sent a grievous swarm of flies upon Egypt. They invaded Pharaoh’s palace, the homes of his officials, and the entire land. The infestation was so severe that it corrupted the land itself, making life miserable for the Egyptians .

v. 25: Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the plague, summoned Moses and Aaron. He offered a compromise, saying the Israelites could sacrifice to their God but only within Egypt. This showed Pharaoh's unwillingness to fully obey God's command .

v. 26-27: Moses rejected Pharaoh's proposal, explaining that the Israelites’ sacrifices would be offensive to the Egyptians, who might stone them. Instead, they needed to journey three days into the wilderness to worship as God commanded (Exodus 8:26-27 ^t).

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v. 28: Pharaoh relented slightly and allowed them to go into the wilderness but warned them not to go too far. He also asked Moses to pray for him, showing both his desperation and his recognition of God's power .

v. 29: Moses agreed to intercede and promised that the flies would be removed the next day. However, he warned Pharaoh not to act deceitfully again by refusing to let the people go after the plague was lifted .

v. 30-31: Moses prayed to the Lord, and God answered by removing all the flies from Pharaoh, his officials, and his people. Not a single fly remained, showing God's power to both bring and remove plagues (Exodus 8:30-31 ^u).

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v. 32: Despite this miraculous deliverance, Pharaoh hardened his heart once again and refused to let the Israelites go, continuing the cycle of disobedience and judgment (Exodus 8:32 ^v).

‏ Exodus 9

The Plague on Egyptian Livestock

Here we see God sending another plague upon Egypt because Pharaoh still refuses to let the Israelites go. This time, God targets the Egyptians' livestock. Through Moses, God warns Pharaoh of what will happen, but also makes clear that the Israelites will be protected. This shows God's power over Egypt, His care for His people, and His ability to make a clear distinction between those who serve Him and those who oppose Him.

v. 1: God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and say, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.” . God keeps repeating His demand for Israel’s freedom, showing both His patience and His determination to deliver His people.

v. 2: Moses warns Pharaoh that if he refuses and continues to hold the Israelites, another plague will come . God gives Pharaoh a clear choice and a chance to avoid disaster—but Pharaoh must listen and obey.

v. 3: The next plague is described: “The hand of the Lord is upon your cattle which is in the field...there shall be a very grievous murrain (disease).” . God’s power is shown by sending a disease that will kill many of the Egyptians’ animals—horses, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep. This would be a huge loss for Egypt, as livestock was very important for work, food, and even religious reasons.

v. 4: God says He will make a difference between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: “And there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.” . Even though both groups live in the same land, only the Egyptians’ animals will die. This miracle shows God’s special protection of His people.

v. 5: God sets a specific time for the plague: “To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land.” . By announcing the exact day, God proves that this is not a natural disaster, but a planned act of judgment from Him.

v. 6: The next day, God keeps His promise. All the cattle of Egypt die, but not one of the Israelites’ animals is harmed . This clear distinction is a sign of God’s control over life and death and His faithfulness to His word.

v. 7: Pharaoh checks to see if the Israelites’ cattle have survived. When he sees that not one of their animals has died, his heart is still hard, and he refuses to let the people go . Even when faced with proof of God’s power and mercy, Pharaoh chooses stubbornness over obedience.

Exodus 9:8−12: The Plague of Boils

This passage tells about the sixth plague that God sends on Egypt—painful boils and sores. This plague directly affects the Egyptians’ bodies after earlier plagues harmed their land and animals. The magicians, who had tried to copy God’s miracles before, are now helpless and suffer just like everyone else. Despite the suffering, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, as God warned would happen.

v. 8-9: God instructs Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of ashes from a furnace. Moses is to throw the ashes into the air in front of Pharaoh. The ashes become fine dust and cause boils and sores to break out on people and animals all over Egypt. This act is a sign that God can use anything, even ashes, to bring judgment (v. 8, 9 ^w).

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v. 10: Moses and Aaron obey God. Moses throws the ashes toward heaven, and immediately, boils break out on people and animals. The boils are very painful, showing that God can send judgments that touch people personally, not just their possessions (v. 10 ^x).

v. 11: The magicians cannot stand before Moses because they are also suffering from the boils. Their magic is useless, and they are shamed in front of everyone. Those who once tried to copy God’s miracles are now defeated and humiliated (v. 11; 2 Timothy 3:9 ^y).

v. 12: The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart, so he refuses to listen, just as God had said. Earlier, Pharaoh had hardened his own heart. Now, God allows him to remain stubborn as a punishment for his earlier choices. This shows how dangerous it is to keep resisting God’s warnings (v. 12 ^z).

Exodus 9:13−21: The Plague of Hail Announced

In this passage, God tells Moses to warn Pharaoh about a new and terrible plague—hail. God explains that He is sending these plagues to show His power and to make it clear that there is no one like Him in all the earth. God also gives a warning to protect people and animals by bringing them inside. Some Egyptians listen and are saved, but others ignore the warning and suffer the consequences. This shows both God’s justice and His mercy, as He gives people a chance to escape the coming disaster.

v. 13: God tells Moses to get up early and stand before Pharaoh. Moses is to deliver God’s message: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Even though Pharaoh’s heart is hard, God still gives him another chance to obey (v. 13 ^aa).

v. 14-15: God warns Pharaoh that this time He will send all His plagues on Pharaoh’s heart, his officials, and his people. God says that Pharaoh is marked for ruin and that these plagues will show there is no one like God in all the earth. God can send not only physical plagues but also spiritual ones, making hearts hard or hopeless. When God judges, no one can resist Him (v. 14, 15 ^ab).

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v. 16: God explains that He has allowed Pharaoh to remain in power to show God’s strength and to make His name known everywhere. Pharaoh’s stubbornness becomes an example to others of God’s justice and power. This is also mentioned in the New Testament (v. 16; Romans 9:17 ^ac).

v. 17: Moses asks Pharaoh why he continues to exalt himself against God’s people by refusing to let them go. God will not allow anyone, even a powerful king, to oppress His people without consequences (v. 17 ^ad).

v. 18-19: God announces that the next day He will send a terrible hailstorm, worse than any Egypt has ever seen. God warns Pharaoh and the Egyptians to bring their animals and servants inside to protect them from the hail. This shows God’s mercy, giving people a way to escape the judgment if they listen (v. 18, 19 ^ae).

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v. 20: Some of Pharaoh’s officials fear the word of the Lord and bring their servants and animals inside. These people are wise because they believe God’s warning and act to protect themselves (v. 20; Hebrews 11:7 ^af).

v. 21: Others ignore the warning and leave their servants and animals in the field. These people suffer the consequences because they do not believe God’s word. This shows that ignoring God’s warnings leads to harm (v. 21 ^ag).

Exodus 9:22−35: The Plague of Hail

This passage describes the seventh plague that God brings on Egypt: a terrible storm of hail mixed with fire. This storm destroys crops, animals, and people in the open fields. Only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, is safe. Pharaoh is so frightened that he admits his sin and asks Moses to pray for the storm to stop. But after the storm ends, Pharaoh hardens his heart again and does not let the Israelites go. This shows how God’s power is greater than any ruler, and how people can make promises during trouble but quickly forget them when the danger is gone.

v. 22-24: God tells Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven, and a storm of hail, thunder, and fire (lightning) strikes all Egypt. The storm is worse than anything Egypt has ever seen. This shows that God controls all of nature and can use it to judge those who oppose Him (v. 22-24; Psalm 148:8 ^ah).

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v. 25: The hailstorm destroys everything in the open—people, animals, plants, and trees. Only the crops that had not yet grown are spared. God can take away food and blessings in many ways (v. 25; Hosea 2:9 ^ai).

v. 26: The land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, is protected from the hail. This shows God’s power to make a difference between His people and others (v. 26 ^aj).

v. 27-28: Pharaoh is terrified and calls for Moses and Aaron. He admits that he has sinned and that the Lord is righteous. He asks Moses to pray for the storm to stop and promises to let the Israelites go. This shows that people can say the right things when they are scared, even if their hearts are not truly changed (v. 27, 28 ^ak).

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v. 29-30: Moses promises to pray for the storm to end as soon as he leaves the city. He wants Pharaoh to know that the earth belongs to the Lord. But Moses also knows that Pharaoh and his officials still do not truly respect God (v. 29, 30 ^al).

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v. 31-32: The storm destroys the flax and barley because they are already grown, but the wheat and rye are not ruined because they are not yet mature. This detail shows that God’s judgments are specific and controlled (v. 31, 32 ^am).

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v. 33: Moses leaves the city and prays to God. The thunder, hail, and rain stop completely. This proves that God listens to Moses’ prayers and controls the weather (v. 33; James 5:17,18 ^an).

v. 34-35: When Pharaoh sees that the storm is over, he sins even more and hardens his heart, along with his officials. He refuses to let the Israelites go, just as God had told Moses would happen. This shows that people who are not changed by God’s judgments and kindness often become even more stubborn (v. 34, 35 ^ao).

‏ Exodus 10

Exodus 10:1−11: The Plagues of Egypt – The Threat of Locusts

In this passage, God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh again. God explains that He has allowed Pharaoh’s heart to be hard so that He can show His power through miracles. These events are meant to be remembered and told to future generations, so everyone will know that the LORD is the true God. Moses warns Pharaoh about the coming plague of locusts, which will destroy what is left after the hail. Pharaoh’s officials urge him to let the Israelites go, but Pharaoh only wants to let the men leave, not the women and children. Because of this, the negotiations break down.

v. 1-2: God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh because He has hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the hearts of his officials. God wants to show His signs and miracles, so that the Israelites will remember and teach their children about God’s power in Egypt (v. 1, 2 ^ap).

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v. 3: Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before God?” They repeat God’s command to let His people go and serve Him. God expects even the greatest rulers to humble themselves before Him (v. 3 ^aq).

v. 4-6: Moses warns Pharaoh that if he refuses, God will send locusts the next day. The locusts will cover the land, eat everything left after the hail, and fill every house. This will be worse than anything Egypt has ever seen. After giving the warning, Moses leaves Pharaoh’s presence (v. 4-6 ^ar).

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v. 7: Pharaoh’s officials beg him to let the Israelites go, saying that Egypt is already ruined. They see that Moses is a danger to Egypt and want to avoid more suffering (v. 7 ^as).

v. 8-9: Moses and Aaron are brought back to Pharaoh. Pharaoh asks who will go to worship the Lord. Moses answers that everyone—young and old, sons and daughters, flocks and herds—must go, because they are holding a feast to God (v. 8, 9 ^at).

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v. 10-11: Pharaoh refuses to let all the Israelites go. He says only the men can leave, keeping the women and children as hostages. He becomes angry and drives Moses and Aaron out of his presence. This shows Pharaoh’s stubbornness and his desire to keep control over the Israelites (v. 10, 11 ^au).

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Exodus 10:12−20: The Plague of Locusts

This passage tells how God sends the plague of locusts on Egypt. God commands Moses to stretch out his hand so the locusts will come and cover the land. The locusts destroy every green thing left after the hail. Pharaoh admits his sin and asks Moses to pray for relief, but after God removes the locusts, Pharaoh hardens his heart again. This shows how God controls even the smallest creatures, and how people can confess sin in trouble but still refuse to truly change.

v. 12-13: God tells Moses to stretch out his hand so the locusts will come. Moses obeys, and God brings an east wind that blows all day and night. In the morning, the wind brings the locusts into Egypt (v. 12, 13 ^av).

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v. 14-15: The locusts spread across the land, more than ever seen before or after. They cover everything, making the land dark, and eat all the plants and fruit that the hail had left. Nothing green is left in Egypt. This shows how completely God’s judgment can destroy when He chooses (v. 14, 15 ^aw).

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v. 16-17: Pharaoh quickly calls Moses and Aaron. He admits he has sinned against the Lord and against them. He asks for forgiveness and begs Moses to pray to God to take away “this death,” meaning the plague of locusts. But Pharaoh’s words show he only wants relief, not real change (v. 16, 17 ^ax).

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v. 18-19: Moses leaves Pharaoh and prays to God. God sends a strong west wind that blows the locusts away into the Red Sea. Not one locust remains in Egypt. This proves God’s power to both bring and remove disasters (v. 18, 19 ^ay).

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v. 20: But the Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again. Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go, even after all the damage. This shows that a stubborn heart can resist even the clearest warnings and miracles from God (v. 20 ^az).

Exodus 10:21−29: The Plague of Darkness

This passage describes the ninth plague—three days of total darkness over the land of Egypt. This darkness is so thick it can be felt, and no one moves from their place during that time. However, the Israelites still have light where they live. Pharaoh tries once again to bargain with Moses, but refuses to let the Israelites take their animals. Moses insists that everything must go. Pharaoh becomes angry and tells Moses never to come before him again, but Moses agrees, saying he will not see Pharaoh again until the final plague.

v. 21-23: God tells Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven, and thick darkness covers Egypt for three days. The darkness is so heavy that people cannot see each other or move from their places. But the Israelites have light in their homes. This shows God’s power to make a difference between His people and others (v. 21-23; Psalm 105:28 ^ba).

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v. 24: Pharaoh calls for Moses and says the Israelites can go with their children, but their animals must stay behind. This is another attempt by Pharaoh to control and bargain with God (v. 24 ^bb).

v. 25-26: Moses refuses Pharaoh’s offer. He explains that they must take all their animals because they do not know yet what God will require for sacrifices. Moses insists that not even a hoof will be left behind. This teaches us that we must be ready to give everything to God’s service (v. 25, 26 ^bc).

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v. 27: The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again, and Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go. His stubbornness continues, even after so many warnings (v. 27 ^bd).

v. 28: Pharaoh angrily tells Moses to leave and threatens to kill him if he sees Moses again. This shows how anger and pride can blind people to the truth (v. 28 ^be).

v. 29: Moses answers that he will not see Pharaoh’s face again. This means that the next time they meet, it will be because Pharaoh is desperate and will ask the Israelites to leave Egypt (v. 29; Exodus 12:31 ^bf).

‏ Exodus 11

Exodus 11:1−3: The Plagues of Egypt – The Final Plague Announced

In these verses, God tells Moses that He will send one last plague on Pharaoh and Egypt. After this plague, Pharaoh will not just let the Israelites go—he will force them to leave completely. God also instructs the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold, and He makes the Egyptians willing to give it. Moses and the Israelites are now seen with respect by the Egyptians, and even Moses is considered a great man in Egypt. This passage shows God’s justice for the oppressed and His power to change even the hearts of their enemies.

v. 1: God reveals His plan to Moses. He says there will be one more plague, after which Pharaoh will drive the Israelites out of Egypt. This shows that God is in control and knows exactly when and how He will deliver His people (v. 1 ^bg).

v. 2: God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. This is God’s way of making sure the Israelites are paid for their years of hard work and slavery before they leave Egypt (v. 2 ^bh).

v. 3: God gives the Israelites favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so the Egyptians are willing to give them what they ask for. Moses is also highly respected in Egypt, even by Pharaoh’s own officials and the Egyptian people. This shows how God can change people’s hearts and bring honor to those who serve Him (v. 3 ^bi).

Exodus 11:4−10: The Plagues of Egypt – The Death of the Firstborn Foretold

In these verses, Moses warns Pharaoh about the final and most serious plague—the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. This plague will strike everyone, from the highest to the lowest, including animals. The Israelites, however, will be protected and not even a dog will bark at them. Moses explains that after this plague, Pharaoh’s officials will come and beg the Israelites to leave. Even with this strong warning, God knows Pharaoh will not listen, so that His wonders may be shown even more in Egypt. Moses leaves Pharaoh in anger because Pharaoh’s stubbornness will bring great suffering to the land.

v. 4-6: Moses announces that around midnight, God Himself will go through Egypt and kill all the firstborn, from Pharaoh’s son to the firstborn of slaves and animals. There will be a great cry in Egypt, worse than anything before or after. This shows how serious God’s judgment is when people continue to resist Him (v. 4-6; Exodus 4:23 ^bj).

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v. 7: God promises to protect the Israelites. Not even a dog will bark at them or their animals. This clear difference between Israel and Egypt shows that God knows how to keep His people safe, even in times of great trouble (v. 7 ^bk).

v. 8: Moses tells Pharaoh that after this plague, Pharaoh’s own officials will come and bow before Moses, begging him and the Israelites to leave. Moses then leaves Pharaoh, very angry because Pharaoh’s stubbornness will bring so much pain to his people (v. 8 ^bl).

v. 9: God reminds Moses that Pharaoh will not listen, so that God’s wonders can be multiplied in Egypt. This shows that even when people reject God’s warnings, God’s plan will still happen (v. 9 ^bm).

v. 10: Moses and Aaron perform all these miracles before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again. As a result, he does not let the Israelites go, just as God had said (v. 10 ^bn).

‏ Exodus 12:1-30

The Appointment of the Passover; the Feast of Unleavened Bread

This section describes how Moses and Aaron received God’s instructions about the Passover, a very important event for Israel. God also changed their calendar, making this month the start of their year. This new beginning matched the spring, a time when the earth is renewed, and pointed forward to the coming of Christ (Song of Solomon 2:11-12 ^bo). The people were busy and probably worried, but God still called them to worship and remember Him. Even when life is stressful, we should keep our faith and devotion to God.

v. 1-2: God told Moses and Aaron that this month would be the first month of the year for Israel (Exodus 12:1-2 ^bp). Before, their year started in September, but now it would start in March. This reminds us that it is good to begin everything with God.

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v. 3-6: God commanded each family, or several small families together, to prepare a lamb to be killed on the fourteenth day of the month (Exodus 12:3,6 ^bq). The lamb was not offered on an altar but was killed as a sign of thanks to God, who protected and delivered them from the plagues. This shows the importance of families worshipping God together.

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v. 7: Before they ate the lamb, they had to sprinkle its blood on the doorposts of their houses . This marked their homes as protected. God would see the blood and spare their firstborn children from the destroying angel. Only the houses with blood on the doors would be safe.

v. 8-11: They were told to eat the roasted lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and to eat quickly, ready to leave Egypt at any moment (Exodus 12:8,11 ^br). They could not save any leftovers for the next day. This taught them to trust God for their daily needs, not to worry about tomorrow.

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v. 12-13: That night, God would strike down all the firstborn in Egypt, both humans and animals, and show His power over the Egyptian gods (Exodus 12:12-13 ^bs). The blood on the doorposts would protect the Israelites. Only those who obeyed God and acted in faith would be safe. This shows that God can protect His people during trouble, and that the blood is like a shield for believers (Numbers 33:4; Exodus 18:11 ^bt).

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v. 14-20: God told them to remember this event every year by celebrating the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days (Exodus 12:14-20 ^bu). During this time, they could eat only bread without yeast, to remember how they had to leave Egypt quickly. This feast was to help them stay serious about obeying God and not forget what He had done for them. The New Testament says that this event points to the gospel and to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:2; 2 Corinthians 3:13 ^bv).

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The Passover

This section explains how Moses gave the Israelites God’s instructions about the Passover. He made sure they understood every detail, even if not all are written here. The Passover was not just for that night in Egypt, but was to be remembered and taught to future generations. It was a sign of God’s mercy and a picture of something greater to come—Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

v. 21-22: Moses told the elders of Israel to select and kill the Passover lamb. He instructed them to use a bunch of hyssop to dip in the lamb’s blood and put it on the top and sides of their doorframes. No one was to leave their house until morning. This showed that their safety came from obeying God and staying under the protection of the blood. If anyone left, they would be in danger. God wanted them to trust Him and wait for His salvation (Exodus 12:22; Isaiah 26:20-21 ^bw).

v. 22-23 (Themes and Types): The Passover lamb was a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is called “our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7 ^bx). The lamb had to be:

a lamb—Christ is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29 ^by). a male, one year old—showing Jesus’ strength and that He offered Himself in His best years (Exodus 12:5 ^bz). without blemish—meaning Jesus was pure and sinless (1 Peter 1:19 ^ca). set apart four days before—Jesus entered Jerusalem four days before He died (Exodus 12:3,6 ^cb). killed and roasted with fire—showing Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross (Exodus 12:6-9 ^cc). no bones broken—fulfilled when Jesus died (Exodus 12:46; John 19:33,36 ^cd).

The blood had to be sprinkled, not just spilled, showing that we must accept what Jesus did for us (Romans 5:11; Exodus 12:22 ^ce). The hyssop used points to faith, which “applies” Christ’s sacrifice to us. The blood was put on the doorposts, showing that we must publicly trust in Jesus (Revelation 7:3 ^cf). The blood was not put on the ground, teaching us to value Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:29 ^cg). The blood protected the Israelites from harm, just as Jesus protects believers from judgment (Romans 8:1 ^ch).

Eating the lamb represented accepting Jesus by faith. They had to eat all of it, showing we must accept all of Jesus—not just the easy parts, but also His teachings about sacrifice (John 6:53-55; Exodus 12:10 ^ci). The lamb was eaten with bitter herbs, reminding them of their hard life in Egypt—and reminding us to be sorry for our sins. They ate in a way ready to leave, showing we must turn from sin and be ready to follow God (Hebrews 13:13-14 ^cj).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread stands for a Christian life without sin, which is called “leaven” in the Bible (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Exodus 12:16,17,19 ^ck). They were told to remove all yeast from their homes, just as we should remove sin from our lives. This feast is a picture of joyful life with Christ, free from sin, and is to be kept always as a reminder of what God has done for us.

v. 23: Moses explained that the Lord would pass through Egypt to strike down the Egyptians. But when He saw the blood on the door, He would “pass over” that house and not let the destroying angel enter. The blood was a sign of faith and obedience, and it protected them from judgment .

v. 24-25: Moses told the people to keep this ceremony as a law for themselves and their descendants. When they entered the Promised Land, they must continue to celebrate the Passover. This was not just for one time, but for all generations, to remember God’s deliverance (Exodus 12:24-25 ^cl).

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v. 26: Moses said that in the future, children would ask, “What does this ceremony mean to you?” It is good when children are curious about God’s ways. Parents should be ready to explain the meaning of worship and God’s commands. We should all try to understand why we do things for God, so our worship is sincere and meaningful (Exodus 12:26; Luke 2:46 ^cm).

v. 27: Parents were to answer, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover.” They were to explain that God spared the Israelites’ firstborn when He struck down the Egyptians. The lamb was sacrificed instead of the firstborn, just as God provided a ram instead of Isaac. This yearly celebration was to remind them of God’s mercy and power. The word “Passover” means to “pass over” or “skip,” because the destroying angel passed over their houses. This was a special mercy, and they should always remember it. It also pointed forward to Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, who died so we could live (Exodus 12:27; Amos 7:8; 8:2 ^cn; Psalm 91:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7 ^co).

v. 27 (end): When the people heard these instructions, they bowed their heads and worshipped. They showed respect for God’s command and were thankful for His kindness. When God gives us instructions, we should honor Him and obey with humble hearts .

v. 28: The Israelites went and did exactly as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron. There was no complaining or doubt. The troubles in Egypt had taught them to trust God and expect His deliverance. We should also wait for God’s blessings by following His ways faithfully (Exodus 12:28; Exodus 5:20-21 ^cp).

Exodus 12:29-36: The Death of the Firstborn

This section describes one of the most dramatic moments in the story of Israel’s escape from Egypt. At midnight, God sent a final, devastating plague: the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, from the palace to the prison, and even among the animals. This act forced Pharaoh and the Egyptians to let the Israelites go immediately, just as God had promised. The Egyptians were so eager for them to leave that they gave the Israelites valuable items to speed their departure. Through this event, God showed his power and justice, while also keeping his promise to rescue his people (Exodus 12:29-36).

v. 29: At exactly midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, no matter if they were rich or poor, powerful or weak. This included Pharaoh’s own son and even the firstborn of prisoners and animals. God chose midnight to make the event even more shocking and frightening, especially after the previous nights of darkness (Exodus 12:29; Psalm 91:6). The Egyptians had killed Hebrew children before (Exodus 1:16), so now they experienced a similar loss as judgment for their actions. God’s punishment was fair and made everyone realize that no one can escape his power or justice (Job 34:19-20).

v. 30: When the Egyptians woke up and found their firstborn dead, there was tremendous grief throughout the country. There wasn’t a single household without a loss. The loud cries showed how deep their pain was. No one could comfort each other, because everyone was suffering. This teaches us to respect God and be thankful for his protection every day (Psalm 119:120; Lamentations 3:22).