The chapter and verse numbers we use in our Bibles are not part of the inspired text. They were put in later to help people find verses as they studied the Word. (As far as I can tell, the chapter and verse numbers developed across the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The first English Bible with both chapters and verses was the Geneva Bible in 1560, and that is the chapter/verse scheme that we follow to this day.) That being said, I was struck by the length of this chapter. Most of the chapters in Exodus seem to average around 30 verses. A couple reach 40 verses. Chapter 12 weighs in at 51 verses.
Could it be that this serendipity matches the weight of what this chapter discusses?
For the people of Israel this was the day of salvation. This event, the death of the firstborn of Egypt and the passing over of their own families, marks the pattern of their life and year to this day. This is the beginning of their year. It is the highest day of the year, a ceremony that they observe until the End.
The Passover also serves as the backdrop to the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In fact, we Christians would say that Jesus’ death fulfills the Passover and brings salvation to its fullness as he saves all people from our slavery to sin. He is the first born of God Himself, sacrificed to save us.
The weight of what God did in this event is huge. Not only does God bring Egypt to its knees and save Israel from slavery, He disposed the Egyptians to give gold and silver to the Israelites and they themselves handed plunder to their former slaves! He expels Israel from Egypt, and they begin a new journey. A journey as people who have been freed to serve God.
Careful instructions were given and followed in regard to food, clothes, doors, and families. The detail is great, again reflecting the importance of what God did. This was not a night for the Israelites to presume regarding their relationship with God. It was a night to obey and see what He would do.
In the midst of all that happened, verse 42 stands out to me. The NIV translation says that the Lord kept vigil. The ESV says it was a night of watching. The KJV and the NAS say it was a night to be much observed. It’s an awkward statement in Hebrew. Taken very roughly it says, “It was a night, a night watch, to the LORD. . . .”
So what?
I think this language points to the importance of what God is doing. He is standing the night watch. He is protecting his people, defending them, and saving them. It isn’t just that he sent an angel to strike down the first born. The LORD did it. He is fighting for his people.
As chilling as that may sound, there is a note of great comfort in that for us. God stands guard over us. He does not simply delegate that task to someone else. He Himself saves us. That’s what happened when Jesus died on the cross for us. The LORD Jesus Himself came and put Himself in the dangerous position in order to save us. He Himself bore our sin and died in our place, and also rose from the dead to make the way for us to be free from our slavery to sin so that we can serve Him. He loves us so much he will not assign the task of salvation to someone else.
Father in Heaven, Thank you for loving me. Help me to see how great Your love is and be in awe, so that I will be moved to share it with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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