“THEN MOSES called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover.”
The words “take you a lamb,” were in accordance with instructions Moses had received in verse 3 “a lamb for a house.” It is interesting to note that in verse 4 God had said, “the lamb,” but in verse 5 He says, “your lamb.” The expression “a Lamb” is used by the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 1:18,1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19): “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.” Here the infinite price with which we have been redeemed, “a Lamb without blemish and without spot,” is contrasted with that which the world values, but which are poor corruptible things — silver and gold.
The first ray of hope in an awakened sinner’s experience is when he learns that there is “a Lamb” provided as a sacrifice for sins. Looking on to the eternal scene of which the Lord Jesus is the center and theme of praise, we read: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as it had been slain.” Revelation 5:66And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6). It is wonderful when the sinner finds there is a Lamb provided to meet his need, yet it is more wonderful to see that there is only one Lamb upon whom God’s eye can rest in fullest satisfaction. John the Baptist, seeing Jesus, could say, “Behold the Lamb of God.” John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). Again, in glory the redeemed celebrate the worthiness of the One they will evermore adore, and sing the new song: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” Thanks be unto God for His Lamb, the Lamb foreordained bore the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:2020Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:20)).
God had said, “your lamb shall be without blemish.” One must appropriate this lamb personally in order to find salvation through the shed blood. We hope, beloved reader, that you too have claimed the Lord Jesus as your Lamb, and know that His precious blood, shed on Calvary, has cleansed you from every stain of sin, and that you have eternal life.
“And the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” There were a great many families, each with its lamb before them that evening, but God was looking on to the sacrifice of His beloved Son, and in His sight the many sacrifices foreshadowed the one true Lamb alone. Every family must be under the shelter of the blood, but on the other hand, “the assembly of the congregation” is looked upon as a whole. This brings to our thoughts the truth that now, the whole Church of God having been formed and composed of many members and numerous assemblies, they are seen individually, and collectively also as one body, sheltered by the blood and owning the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
ML-03/30/1969