Commond Alexander The Significance Of The Passover

Desmond Alexander argues that, “for the Israelites, the Passover was the most significant redemptive event in their history (Alexander 201).” He goes on to discuss speeches given by God and Moses regarding how to observe the Passover (202). A ritual was performed where the Israelites slayed a kid or a lamb, put its blood on their doors and ate its meat (204). They did this to protect their firstborn sons from the plague sent by God on the Egyptians. By participating in this ritual, the Israelite firstborn sons were saved from death (205). Because of this, Alexander argues that firstborn males have a very holy status. God, the redeemer, saved these children from death so they belong to him in a special way (205). The Passover also has ties to one of the biggest redemptive events for Christians, the
In order to better describe the Passover, Alexander compares it to Aaronic priest consecration elsewhere in the Pentateuch (205), as well as Jesus’ death (206). It also helps to understand the Passover in the context of the early Israelites. The Passover took place during the period of the Exodus, around 1200 BCE. Prior to the Exodus, the Israelites were being oppressed by the Egyptians. When Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, God sent a plague. This can be compared to the theme of justice and righteousness in Isaiah. God felt that sending the plague was the just thing to do, however he thought the Israelites were righteousness so he spared their sons. Faith in God is another theme in the Passover that can be connected to other parts of the book of Exodus. The Israelites had faith that by participating in the Passover ritual, God would spare their firstborn sons. Prior to this, Moses demonstrated his faith by asking Pharaoh to set the Israelites free to go to the land God promised