 |  |
Before the stroke falls, Israel is instructed concerning the Passover, the first great
typical ordinance of redemption given to this people. It is a matter of great importance to
realize that indissolubly connected with the Passover is the unleavened bread. The
connection is maintained in the reference by Paul to this great chapter of Israel's history
in the epistle to the Corinthians. How does he introduce this glorious type of
redemption? Does he speak of it in chapter 1:, where he speaks of the gospel as the
preaching of Christ crucified? No, neither does he refer to it in chapter 2: It is in
chapter 5:, where he is dealing with moral evil in the assembly, that the Passover is
brought to bear, and it is introduced by a reference to the unleavened bread:
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
For even Christ our Passover hath been sacrificed for us, THEREFORE let us keep the
feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (I Cor. 5: 7, 8).
Possibly, in our view, the Passover appears so great, so essential, that it overshadows
the associated feast, but not so in the eyes of God. The sprinkled blood outside, and the
unleavened bread inside, present a complete picture. This relation between the Passover
and the unleavened bread is shewn by the structure:
Exodus 12: 1 - 20.
A | 1, 2. The beginning of months.
B | 3-11. The Passover.
C | 12, 13. For I will pass through . . . . . I will pass over.
B | 14-17-. The Unleavened Bread.
C | -17. For this day I brought you out.
A | 18-20. The first month.
It will be noticed that the section is bounded by the reference to the month:
"This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of
the year to you" (12: 2).
Note the significance of the words `to you'. Dispensational changes among the
redeemed have no application to the outside world. The dispensation of the Mystery and
the lo-ammi condition of Israel make no difference either to the computation of time, or
the attitude of God. It is a false inference that assumes that, because God is now acting in
sheer grace to the believer, He is acting in sheer grace to the outside world.
It was not the first month in the calendar, the first month of the year was originally
Tisri, corresponding to our October. The Jews still keep their New Year at this date, in
spite of the definite change instituted at the time of their redemption, a sad evidence of
their unregenerate condition. From the Autumn of falling leaf and fading flower we are
called to Springtime with its parable of resurrection. In this change of time, made when
the nation of Israel was born and redeemed, we have the great truth of regeneration. The
two `musts' of John 3: come to mind here:
"Ye must be born again" (7).
"Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up" (14).