The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 280

Kurtz, vol. ii. 297, 29B, Eng. ed.] 3, The result was a PaBsir,,g-O'IJer, The stained lintel EL bridge over which Jehovah was to pass in dread judicial progress through the land. 4. And a more remote resuH, the ushering in of a Festal Li/e for Israel. The festival of the passover foreshadowed the coming life of liberty, III. TrrE LA.MD. After expository development of the leading incidents, the following truths will emerge in relation to the antitype. 1. The objective of the death, of Ghrist is God. The Socinian formula runs : " The death of Christ was not to reconcile God to man, but man to God." The scriptural doctrine is that the atonement does both: but reconciles man to God, by first atoning God with man. 2. Christ is "without blemish and without spot." 3. The atoning Christ was deliberately selected, and fore-appointed. 4. Kept in view of the world, that His worth, beauty and destiny might suitably affect men; as the lamb went in and out, for four days, the homes of Israel. 5. Slain. 6. 'l'he death was Sacrificial. 7. The result a Passing-o,1er of judicial wrath. 8. But the sacrifice must be appropriated. The blood on the posts of the door a sign of the appropriating faith of the people. Here may be brought out the idea, that the door was the only possible altar at that moment of history. The idea. of sacrifice had come down from patriarchal times; but there was no law of sacrifice, for as yet there was no nation to which to give it, and therefore there was no temple, and so no altar. Every family must be atoned for apart; every house was then a temple, and every door an altar. 9. Then, faith in Christ's atonement begins for us high Festival. IV. THE MEAL, Show that the meal was much more than a mere supper to prepare for a journey. It had in it spiritual significance, in relation to the Christ. 1. The Atoning Ghrist is the Food of the Soul (John vi. 51). This for the very simple reason, that the truth of the atonement is central, supreme, and comprehensive. 2. An t1111,corrupted Christ. The lamb was roasted, i.e., was pure flesh acted on by fire; not sodden, diluted with water, or any way corrupted. 3. A perfect Christ, no bone broken_ So on the cross a Christ divided is not sufficient for the nourishment of the soul, e.g., Christ as an " elect spirit of the race;" or as one in whom the "God-consciousness " receivod high development; or as example; Teacher, etc. Christ in his whole nature, character and office. 4. The enjoyment of Christ and of his salvation will depend on the memory of the slavery of sin. "Bitter herbs." 5. The christian life is to be characterised by simplicity and sincerity. Note that unleavened bread is simply pure meal, all water parched out by the action of fire. For the significance see the Christian Rabbi, Paul, 1 Cor. i. 6-8. 6. The end of soul nutriment is the Pugrim-Life. Each with staff in hand that night. 7, To the banquet, to the Exodus, to the Pil,,arirn-Life, all are welcome, on conditions, xii. 43-45. In that case, first circumcision ; then coming under the sprinkled blood, were needful. The analogy is clear. Note! a.t the moment, when the distinction between Israel and Egypt was most marked, then did the catholicity of true Juda.ism most appear. In Abraham all mankind wa.s t.o be blessed.-R. Vers, 3-11. lf one died for all then all died. Pharaoh's heart still hardened. The crowning judgment needs no intermediary; Jehovah will reveal His own right arm. Ex. xi. 4. "Who shall iive when God doeth this?" He who obeying His worcl. 5helters himself beneath His shadow. See:- I. THE PREPARATION. 1. .A carefully selected victim. Ver. 5, deliberately set apart four days beforehand. Pure within ; innocence typified by inexperience, " the first ye:ll'." Pure without, "no blemish." 2. .A carefully conducted purification. The partaker of the sacrificial feast must endeavour after a purity resembling that of the victim. Leaven, evil, must be purged out that he may offer and receive worthily. II. THE PASSOVER, .A sacdfice to save from death, v. 6, 7. Notice (1) Obedience ensured safety. The judgment was to go forth against the first-born; but the lamb slain-his blood duly sprinkled-would be accepted as a substitute, Obedience all that was demanded. (2) The meaning of the co=and. Few types are arbitrary; almost always some ground of relation between them and the thing typified, even though we may not see it, Here the pure lamb represents the offerer as he O'ltght to be; it says in his name "I would be pun,; I would dedicate myself wholly to thy service; accep, me, not for what I am but for what 'l'hou canst make me. 'l'ake this lamb for me; make me as this lrunb I" Obedience saves, but that which is commanded shadows forth EXODUS. 'l' 274 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [en. xn. 21-28.