The ordinances of the Passover
Exodus 12:43-51; 5/31/2026; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Passover has many regulations. But today, we will focus on the rules about eating. It seems that God really cares about what we eat and drink. Especially what we eat, how we eat, where we eat, and who we eat with. And of course, He also cares about our attitude when we eat. Now let’s look at the first point:
Who may eat the lamb?
Actually, at the beginning of this chapter, the rules for eating the lamb were already made clear. Including the time, the place, the people, and the quality of the lamb. But today, from the perspective of Passover, the focus is on this question: Who may eat it? First, they must be set apart as holy. God truly delights in His people eating and drinking together. Why? Solomon said, “Everyone should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their labor. This is the gift of God.” Moses also recorded that the Israelites “saw God, and they ate and drank.” And Moses commanded them, “You and your household shall eat there and rejoice before the Lord your God.” But these words were spoken to God’s people, not to the Gentiles. Because when God’s children eat and drink, it produces thanksgiving and praise. But people of the world often eat in a way that produces corruption and greed. Eating before God also builds fellowship in the Lord, unity with one another, and a loving identity in Christ.
Second, justified by faith. The Bible says, “No foreigner may eat of the lamb.” This is not because God is stingy or unwilling to share with you. Rather, it is for your own good, so that you will not eat and drink judgment upon yourself. Yes, the people of Israel came from the bloodline of the twelve tribes. But in God’s eyes, a true Israelite was marked by the faith of Abraham, and by the covenant relationship shown through circumcision. That is why Moses said, “A slave bought with money, after he is circumcised, may eat of it.” These people were originally Gentiles. But they chose to say to Moses, “Your God will be my God, and your people will be my people.” Yet there were others among Israel whose bodies were present, but whose hearts were far away. They never truly committed themselves to Christ. They stayed half-hearted, distant from God, and unconcerned about Him.
Finally, God looks at the heart. The Bible says, “The issues of life flow from the heart.” Whether Gentile or Israelite, God looks at the heart, not merely at outward identity. Even a servant bought with money, if he truly trusted in God and accepted circumcision, he could eat the Passover lamb. Originally, all of us were Gentiles. All of us were people heading toward death. But now, through faith in Jesus Christ, God has declared us righteous. We have become members of God’s household, even descendants of Abraham. But if our hearts are not truly in God’s house, and we always keep the mindset of a temporary guest, that becomes a problem. God says we are strangers in this world. But some people treat God’s house as if that were the temporary place instead. Or they serve God like hired workers, caught in between, never fully committed. Like drifting plankton, floating wherever the current goes. Now let’s look at the second point:
How should we eat the lamb?
If we believe that every word of God has value, then we must pay attention to every detail. We should chew it slowly. The more we meditate on it, the more flavor it has, and gradually we begin to understand its deeper meaning. First, it was eaten inside a house. The setting of Moses’ words was when Israel was still in Egypt. We can imagine this: the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for four hundred years, and their houses were likely their most valuable possession. Right? So eating the Passover lamb inside their homes was also a sign of God’s maximum protection over them. Think about it: if millions of people were eating lamb together in the open squares of Goshen, wouldn’t that cause panic among the Egyptians? Eating inside the house was low-key yet abundant. It was God’s protection over Israel, and it carried a fragrance of holiness. Even our Sunday fellowship lunches after worship carry a little bit of this same flavor.
Second, do not take the meat outside. This is also why some people say, there is God’s blessing in eating meals within the church. Why was the lamb not to be taken outside? Because this was a meal appointed by the Lord God, a holy meal that expresses belonging to Him and fellowship with Him. Since you have come into God’s house, into the church, do not easily stop gathering together. If you go outside the church, Satan is waiting at the door, ready to devour those who stray alone. Satan is not idle. He goes around the whole world, and fills the streets with excuses, all in order to keep people away from church. If he sees someone leave the church, he would throw a celebration in hell. And if someone even leads others away from the church, then he would treat it like a victory and reward them.
Finally, not a single bone shall be broken. In the eyes of God, not one who belongs to Christ will be lost. Even if we are hurt as we serve God, God will still keep us. Not a single bone will be broken. What a warm and loving word this is. Of course, the meaning goes far beyond this. It also points forward to Jesus Christ. David, moved by the Holy Spirit, said: “He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.(Psalm 34:20)” John, writing the Gospel, also said by the Holy Spirit: “These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’ (John 19:36)” The Lord’s bones were not broken, and in the same way, your life and mine will not be lost. Now let’s look at the third point:
Obediently eat the lamb
So far, the regulations of the Passover have been completed. First, only those who have been circumcised may participate, showing God’s exclusive commitment to His people. This feast was specifically appointed for Israel. Second, the meat must not be taken outside the house, as a sign of belonging to Christ. Third, not a single bone may be broken, showing God’s faithfulness and preservation. The third main point is about the attitude in eating the lamb. First, they must keep this ordinance. What is an “ordinance”? In the original text, this word is not explicitly present. It can be understood as a covenant between God and His people. An ordinance is the way God’s children express obedience to His commands, or a summary of action. It is a covenant between God and man that says: from now on, we will do it this way. From that point on, whenever anyone celebrates the Passover and eats the lamb, they must keep this order. God establishes the rule, and man keeps the rule— this fulfills God’s righteousness. To love God and to love your neighbor as yourself is the greatest command God has given. In fact, this is also the “ordinance” all of God’s children must keep. It includes observing the Lord’s Day, keeping the Lord’s Supper, and baptism. These are all ordinances of Christ that we are called to keep. Especially the Great Commission. It begins with this command: “Go therefore…” Will you go?
Second, they must be circumcised. Circumcision is an expression of faith for becoming God’s people. From Abraham onward, God showed how seriously He regarded circumcision in the most decisive way. In the days of Moses, because of negligence in not circumcising his son, the Lord was about to take his firstborn son. So circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with His people in the Old Testament. It was also the mark that identified who belonged to Israel. You might be an Israelite, or you might be a foreigner living among Israel. The way a foreigner became part of Israel was through circumcision. Once circumcised, one could eat the Passover lamb together with God’s people. To enter into a covenant with God means you can also share in the covenant community and live out the covenant together.
Finally, listen to and obey the Lord’s command. Once there is a covenant, it must be kept. Circumcision and eating the Passover lamb may seem very ordinary, even too simple. But it is often through ordinary obedience that God does extraordinary things and performs His miracles. Moses quietly, without drawing attention, led the people to eat the lamb and to revisit circumcision. The Bible says: “The Israelites did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron.” And perhaps no one expected this: “On that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.” What does this mean? It means that a group of Israelites who once seemed loose and disorganized, after the ten plagues and the Passover, suddenly became the army of the Lord.
Conclusion
Thanks be to the Lord! Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the growth. Eating the Passover lamb is also a very ordinary matter. Who may eat it? How should it be eaten? And with what attitude should it be eaten? These are all very ordinary matters that God’s children must face. Yet God uses our faithfulness to Him to accomplish great things. Before stepping into the wilderness journey, God’s people had already become the army of the Lord. The church is the same. It is the good soldiers of Jesus Christ, fighting the good fight for the Lord.
Let us pray together ……
43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it,
44 but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him.
45 No foreigner or hired worker may eat of it.
46 It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
48 If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
49 There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”
50 All the people of Israel did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron.
51 And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.