Word of God in Old Testament - Research Paper Example

of due: Word of God There is a reference to the sacrifice of Jesus as the Passover lamb, as it brings memories of remembrance on the festival of the freedom of the chosen people out of Egypt (Hartman 167-175). The Passover feast is focused on how God executed the final plague upon all the firstborn males of the Egyptians and their livestock (Exodus 12: 12-14). This paper will critically discuss how the Passover was observed since it begun and how it has changed as time has progressed. I. Word of God in Old Testament The words of God in the Old Testament are shown in the story of Moses when he helped the Jews get out of Egypt to Yahweh’s Promised Land. The words uttered by God show the essence of Passover, the Passover recipe and acts. The Israelites were commanded by Yahweh to consume roasted meat, along with bitter greens and unleavened bread with haste, sandals on their feet, their cloaks tucked into their belts, and staffs on their hands (Exodus 12: 8-13). A. Creative word According to Murray, the Passover was a celebration, to commemorate God’s mighty acts of salvation for his chosen people (p.4). The word Passover has consequently, the very same meaning with the Egyptian term for “spreading the wings over and protecting." The Passover feast outlined the sacrificial act that Jesus performed with his death, redeeming mankind. In reference to the Passover during the period of the Israelites, the theme of redemption is clearly shown in our everyday life when faced with trying moments. B. Legal word As a young man, Moses fled Egypt in disgrace under a death penalty for killing an Egyptian. When God summoned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he had been away from Egypt’s culture and sophistication for forty years. Moses was to go back to Egypt and confront the successor to the Pharaoh with the words: “let my people go" (Exodus 5:1-5). To save His people from Egypt, God chose a man who was, in many mannerisms, similar an Egyptian. Moses was born an Israelite, but he grew up adulthood in the house of Pharaoh’s daughter. His Hebrew mother raised him; however, he was tutored worldly wisdom from Egyptian teachers. He was chosen by God to deliver Israelites to show all people that the Lord makes a distinction between Egyptians and Israelites (Exodus 11-7). Moses heeded Yahweh’s command and went to Egypt to plea for the release of the Jews. Pharaoh completely refused to let the Israelites go, the Lord showed his might by bringing down judgment on Egypt’s false gods. Via Moses, he turned water into blood, showing the Egyptians that he was greater than the Nile that the Egyptians worshiped as the giver of life. He darkened the sky, an action that proclaimed his superiority over the sun god, Ra. He made pets of the frogs that Egyptians had respected as manipulators of the undesirable insects that followed the yearly overflow of the great river. While God poured out plague after plague, Pharaoh’s heart was still hard. God then ruined the Egyptians crops with hail storms and locusts, killed their cattle with diseases, and afflicted the people with painful boils and loathsome vermin, and he darkened the skies. However, Pharaoh hardened his heart even further (Exodus 4:22-23; 11:4-8). Now the Lord decided to break the iron will of Egypt with one last plague. The Lord was to fly by night over the land, destroying the line of inheritance, bringing harm and sorrow to every household where Jehovah was not feared and obeyed. Although their salvation was at the door, the Israelites were not automatically exempted from the tenth plague (Exodus 12: 2-7). The lord’s angel passed-over the Egyptian households and killed the entire first born male offspring but spared the ones of Israelites. C. Prophetic word As John wrote, no bone shall be broken (John 19:36). This is linked to the words commanded by God to Moses and Aaron that not to break any bone of the lamb that was to be used during Passover (Exodus 12:43-46). The soldiers had fulfilled that prophecy unknowingly (John 19:31-33). This, therefore, hung upon the cross of the true Passover. In addition, another scripture had to be fulfilled, acknowledging the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10). This scripture prophesied that Jews would mourn oven the pierced Savior. Furthermore, Moses prophesied about the coming messiah who would be like him and redeem mankind (Deuteronomy 18:15). John also prophesied about Jesus (John 1: 29). D. Wisdom The beginning of Passover exhibits the themes of oppression and liberty, history and memory, and the Exodus and exile. At midnight, that night the Lord struck down the entire first off springs in Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in prison, and the firstborn of all the Egyptian livestock. The king and all his officials and all the Egyptians awoke that night and there was a loud wailing in Egypt, since there was not a house without someone dead. The Israelites redemption began that night of horror and grief for anyone who had foolishly ignored God’s command (Exodus 12:29-30). It was a long night of anticipation mixed with hope for the obedient. It was a night of judgment; however, the initial death of the Passover lamb brought forgiveness to God’s individuals. It cleansed away 430 years of Egypt filth. The blood of the lamb saved the Israelites from the punishment of the Almighty God. The roasted meat prepared earlier nourished their bodies with strength for the perilous journey ahead. They were to eat it in haste, shoes on their feet, with their loins girded, and their staff in hand. This is because they prepared to leave at any time following God’s command. In that awe-filled night of waiting, the Israelites experienced God’s loving care even in the midst of his harsh judgment to the Egyptians. They gained a trust in God that was deep enough to see them through another night still to come. The Lord commanded the Israelites to obey these given details as a lasting ordinance for them and their off springs they were to continue with the practice even after they had entered the promised land and pass the practice to their children (Exodus 12:24-27). II. Word of God in New Testament The demise and resurrection of Christ is seen in the New Testament Passover, this celebration is known as the Lords Supper in the New Testament. Christ in the New Testament Passover displays how the death and resurrection of the messiah are connected, therefore, bringing about the theme of redemption of mankind. The act of the messiah overcoming death is interwoven with the Passover creating a symbolic meaning of salvation. John displays how Jesus was the one who was sent to save mankind (John 14:6). A. Old Testament Just like the Passover in the Old Testament, that involved eating food that symbolized events. In the Lord’s Supper, food is used for symbolism. Wine and unleavened bread are used. Therefore, there is a harmony of events at the death of Christ with the Passover, which proves that the Passover was scarified in the afternoon closing the 14th day with the Jewish Passover (Langford 78). B. Words of Jesus Jesus Christ is the founder of the Lord’s Supper (John 6:4). He started it on the day when the Jews were celebrating the Passover in remembrance of how Jehovah saved them from Egypt. On that night Jesus took an unleavened loaf, appreciated, broke it, and gave it to His apostles (Luke 22:19). This bread was unleavened to symbolize Christ body that was free from sin and defilement. After the evening meal, Jesus took a cup and did the same action as with the bread (Luke 22:20). The content of the cup, wine, symbolized Christ blood which was to be a shade in order to save the universe from the bondage of sin. Just like the lamb during the Passover, Jesus is the lamb whose blood was shed in order to save anyone who exercises faith in him (1 Corinthians 5:7). Those who exercise faith in him are called Christians. We evidently see the theme of Jehovah’s loving kindness because He gave His only son to be the Redeemer of men (John 3:16). The themes of salvation, love, and Christ are demonstrated by Jesus. C. Jesus The main reason why Christians partake the sacrament or the Lord’s Supper is to join with Christ’s people as a promise of absolute loyalty to Jesus Christ. Keener goes on to say that sacrament and instruction must go hand in hand (p. 249). It is often held that a sacramental form of worship is better for simple individuals than a form of worship in which preaching is the main course. The sacrament only becomes relevant when it has been followed by the fullest and the most careful details given. A sacrament is a mystery, in the New Testament sense of the term. A mystery is in itself quite simple, which is entirely un-understandable to the outsider, but completely meaningful to the initiate. Before a Christian can partake the sacrament, he must undergo some instructions called catechism. With the catechumens, the Bishop, for forty days went through the whole of the scripture, explaining to them first and then unfolding them spiritually. He also teaches them about the resurrection and all things concerning the faith during this period. III. Similar and/or different meaning The Lord’s Supper is the New Testament similar ritual of the Old Testament Passover. This is because just like the Old Testament Passover, the Lord’s Supper is a time of remembrance and thanksgiving (Luke 22:19; 1Corinthians 11:2-25). It is also a time for refreshing and communion and also a time for anticipation and recommitment (1 Corinthians 11: 26-29). Christians, right from the first century, are to commemorate the Lord’s Supper to pledge loyalty. In one of the Pauline letters, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinth Congregation to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with sincerity and truth (1st Corinthians 5:7-8). Today, like the early Christians, we commemorate the Lord’s Supper by remembering Jesus’ earthly life where He set exemplary example for Christians (Barth & Hoskyns 91). We also remember His suffering and the ransom for our sinful acts. The old and new testaments Passover were introduced by Moses and Jesus respectively. They are similar in that they were used by God to save and redeem mankind. Works cited Barth, Karl, and Edwyn C. Hoskyns. The Epistle to the Romans. London: Oxford University Press, 1968. Print. Hartman, L. Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible. NY: McGraw Hill, 1963. Keener, Craig S. The Ivp Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Print. Langford, Jack W. The Day Christ Died As Our Passover: A Harmony of Events at the Death of Christ with the Annual Jewish Passover. West Bow Pr, 2013. Print. Murray, Julie. Passover. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub. Co, 2012. Print. The New American Bible: Translated from the Original Languages with Critical Use of All the Ancient Sources Including the Revised Psalms and the Revised New Testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Read More