PESACH - PASSOVER

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:13 (KJV)

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INTRODUCTION

Every year on the 15th of Nisan Jews and some Christians gather to observe the festival named Passover. The Hebrew word for Passover Pesach can mean to "pass over", "to skip", or even lame. (2, 3) It can also mean jumping or limping. Standing still or leaping over. On this special day, the story of the Exodus is retold. A story of God pouring His judgments, and plagues all over the Egyptians and their gods.

God hit the Egyptian firstborns, yet preserved the lives of the firstborns of the Israelites. He protected them from the angel of death. but there is a second theory that speaks of God not passing over the houses of Israel, but rather entering them and skipping over the houses of the Egyptians. The word Pesakh derives from the verb pasakh. This verb describes an act of protection and provides further basis for the second theory having merit.

A TALE TO REMEMBER

The smell of roasted chicken, rosemary, and cooked brisket permeated the air. The accompanying mouth-watering sight of sautéed asparagus, melting potatoes, carrot soup, flourless chocolate cake, candied sweet potatoes, and ratatouille ignited the appetites of every person sitting at the table. And sitting second closest to the door was none other than Victor.

Despite the feast lying right in front of them, no one was eating. Instead, every ear was glued to the man of the house telling an all-familiar story. This long-winged retelling of the story was an answer to Victor's usual every-year question, "Why do you people do all this?"

The answer was a tale worth remembering.

Every year on the 15th of Nissan a story is retold. A story of liberation, of a mighty display of God's power. A tale of God's justice and severe judgment. The story of a battle between the great I AM and the gods of Egypt. THE EXODUS STORY and the command to observe PESACH.

PESACH (PESAKH)

The Hebrew noun Pesach can mean to "pass over", "to skip", or even lame. (2, 3) It can mean jumping or limping. Standing still or leaping over. (2)

At One for Israel in their article The meaning of the word Pesach they say, "In the story of the Exodus we can think of the Angel of Destruction leaping over the lintels, or the Angel of the Lord standing guard at the door. Either way, job done." (2)

It is generally considered that God skipped over the houses of Israel when He hit the Egyptian firstborns, but there is a second theory that speaks of God not passing over the houses of Israel, but rather entering them and skipping over the houses of the Egyptians. According to this theory, it was the presence of God in the houses of the Israelites that prevented the angel of death from entering and killing the firstborns of Israel. The blood of a lamb served as a purifier that purified the houses from Egyptian evil.

ETYMOLOGY

The word Pesakh derives from the verb pasakh. This verb describes an act of protection and provides further basis for the second theory having merit. It is especially connected to the concept of birds guarding their nests. (4)

Moses said that if they would smear the blood on the doorposts, He would Pasakh over the door. In other words, He would stand guard over it, and protect it and its inhabitants as a mother hen. (4)

BETWEEN TWO CHOICES

The word can also mean jumping or leaping as in halting/ limping/ leaping between two opinions. Leaping between worshipping God to worshipping idols as can be seen in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

PASSOVER AS THE LAMB

The word can also refer to the lamb. Moses told the elders of Israel to withdraw, or draw out, and take lambs for their family, and then literally to slaughter the pesach—to slaughter the passover. We see three actions: withdrawal, or drawing away, then taking lambs for their families, then slaughtering the Pesach (singular). We can apply it to our own commitment to God: Withdraw from our old ways, our “idols” or false securities we tend to lean on, take hold of the Lamb of God slain on our behalf for our salvation, and kill off all hesitation and wavering between God and idolatry. (2)

YESHUA AS THE ULTIMATE PASSOVER LAMB

Yeshua was taken hostage the same night as He celebrated Passover with His disciples, then was crucified in the early morning hours and died in the evening before sunset. He was the Sacrificial lamb that died for the sins of all men who would receive Him.

PASSOVER AND THE MODERN TIMES

In Judaism, they believe every person experiences their own Egypt they need to be freed from. Every single one of us has to decide that we will get ourselves out of that place, step away from that sin, and actively begin the process of rehab so we can conquer our promise land. (5)

CONCLUSION

The Hebrew noun Pesach can mean to "pass over", "to skip", or even lame. (2, 3) It can mean jumping or limping. Standing still or leaping over. It is generally considered that God skipped over the houses of Israel when He hit the Egyptian firstborns, but there is a second theory that speaks of God not passing over the houses of Israel, but rather entering them and skipping over the houses of the Egyptians. The word Pesakh derives from the verb pasakh. This verb describes an act of protection and provides further basis for the second theory having merit.

Application

During the week take a moment to remember which Egypt God has already delivered you from.

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com.

2. One for Israel. The Meaning of the Word Pesach. Available at https://www.oneforisrael.org/holidays/biblical-feasts/spring-feasts/the-meaning-of-the-word-pesach/

3. Rabbi Menachem Weiman. Etymology of "Passover". Available at https://aish.com/48932882/

4. Bible Project. Passover: What It Means and Why It’s Celebrated Every Year. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14x_PtlnJHw

5. Chabad.org. The Chabad.org Haggadah. Aailable at https://www.chabad.org/generic_cdo/aid/5075231/jewish/The-Chabadorg-Haggadah.htm