BibleProject | One Story: Foundations of the BibleNäide

Despite Egypt buckling under the pressure of God’s liberating power, Pharaoh doubles down on his cruelty. His own advisors plead with him to let Israel go, but Pharaoh would rather watch his nation collapse than yield to God.

So God gives Pharaoh over to the consequences of his own rebellion. Though God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, this does not violate Pharaoh’s will—by this point, Pharaoh has already hardened his own heart multiple times. God simply strengthens Pharaoh’s resolve to follow his own desires to their bitter end.

The showdown reaches a climax when God turns Pharaoh’s evil back on himself. Because Pharaoh killed the firstborn sons of Israel, God now requires the lives of Egypt’s firstborn sons. But unlike Pharaoh, God offers a way to escape that death. God promises to pasakh (a rare Hebrew verb we explore in today’s video) any home with the blood of a spotless lamb painted on its doorposts.

The night of Israel’s rescue births a new people. This event, known as Passover, marks the start of their new calendar and their national story. For generations to come, the people will share a symbolic meal to commemorate God’s protection and liberation. Out of the deluge of death and darkness, a new creation dawns.

Reflection questions:

• How does Isaiah’s metaphor of a hovering mother bird protecting her chicks (Isa. 31:5) help you understand God’s protection at Passover?
• How else have you seen God save his people by providing a refuge for them in the midst of destruction and danger?