The tenth plague is called the Passover. It happened on the fourteenth day of the month. The Israelites were to offer one-year-old lamb per family. If a family was too small, they were to share the lamb with their neighbours. If a lamb was not available, a one-year-old goat could also be used.
They were told to:
- Slaughter the lamb/goat; smear some of the blood on the sides and tops of the door- frames of their houses.
- Roast the meat and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (bread without yeast).
If there were any leftovers they were to burn them with fire.
- Eat in a hurry while fully dressed and having packed their belongings.
They were told to borrow silver, clothings, jewellery, and gold from the Egyptians.
- That on the same night, the ‘angel of death’ would kill every first born both males and animals in the houses without blood.
- The angel of death would pass over the houses with blood sparing them. The blood was a sign to indicate this is a house of Israelites. When the Lord sees the blood, He will pass over that house (V.13).
- The Israelites were told to celebrate / commemorate from generation to generation the Passover as a festival to the Lord.
- The Israelites were not allowed to come out of their houses on the night of Passover.
- At midnight, the Lord struck down all firstborn in Egypt from Pharaoh’s household to the firstborn of the prisoners and firstborn of livestock.
- There was loud wailing over Egypt. Every house had someone dead.
Significance of items used during the Passover
1) Roasted Meat
– this is the easiest method of preparing food since the Israelites were to leave in a short time.
2) Bitter herbs
– was a reminder of the suffering and hardships and slavery experienced in Egypt.
3) Eating while standing.
Deliverance was near, hence the need to leave in a hurry
4) Eating while fully dressed with their stuff at hand
This signified a quick deliverance; hence Israelites should be ready to leave Egypt at once.
5) Eating unleavened bread
– the bread was to be eaten and none left over hence there was no need to add yeast for preservation.
6) Collecting Jewellery
– God had promised Abraham that after slavery for four hundred and thirty years, his descendants shall be freed with great possessions.
7) Remaining indoors
– for security from death. Anyone outside was killed.
8) Blood on doorposts
– a sign for deliverance. The angel of death would pass over doors with blood.
See also
Worshiping God in the Wildernes
African Moral Values Introduction
KINSHIP SYSTEM IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES
CRK/CRE/CRS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SELECTED ASPECTS OF AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE