Sep 10 – 14 Pentecost
Exodus 12:1-14
The First Passover Instituted

Background: The book of Exodus chronicles the search for Israel’s identity. One could say that Exodus is Israel’s response to and explication for the questions “Who are you?” and “To whom do you belong?” Moses and the Israelites have been oppressed by Pharaoh and God has intervened with the plagues. Israel plans for their departure and God commands a ritual sacrifice for the present and the future.

Theme: Moses and Aaron have been interacting on God’s behalf with Pharaoh trying to get the Israelites released from slavery. Pharaoh declined, even after God sends plagues against Egypt. In today’s passage God institutes the ritual of the Passover feast and provides direction to the Israelites that will help them not be overcome by the final plague. The actions inaugurated in this passage will serve to be one of the defining moments in Israel’s life.

Questions to Ponder:
* Please read Exodus 12:1-14.
* Place this reading in context; where does it take place, who are the characters, what is the relationship between the characters, etc.?
* Which month is God referring to as the first month of the year in verse 2? Are there more than one “first months” in the Hebrew year? What was the difference?
* What day does “tenth of the first month” signify to the Hebrews?
* What is odd about being able to take a lamb from the “sheep or from the goats” as allowed in verse 5?
* Do you think the entire population of the Hebrews was supposed to come together as one and slaughter their lambs or was the command simply to have them slaughter at the same time in their own homes? Does it make a difference?
* For what reason might God want the Israelites to slaughter the lambs all at the same time?
* Why would it be important for the lamb to be roasted as opposed to any other means of cooking?
* Why would it be important to eat the lamb hurriedly?
* For what reason would God demand that anything leftover to the morning must be burned? What might the significance or rationale be for not keeping anything extra?
* Is this passage the actual Passover event? If not, when does the actual Passover occur?
* What, if anything, is added to the ritual described in this passage when the Passover is enacted?
* What do you think the function of the Passover is?
* Why would (God command) Moses institute an annual, perpetual event?
* Why might this passage be used as a framework for many social revolutions, even until today?
* Does the story of the Exodus translate from this passage into some other period of time and into a different context?
* What is revolutionary about this account?
* Can we bring this passage to life in our context and in our world?
* What is most challenging in this passage?