Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14

“The blood shall be a sign for you… and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (Exodus 12:13)

Exodus 12 and 13 stand together as a single literary unit, describing the Passover ( pesakh ; lit., pass over). If we read this lengthy portion (12:1–13:16) in a simple linear fashion, it may seem oddly organized and redundant. The most we could say is that the length itself was part of what served to establish the exodus event and its perpetual observance in Israel’s memory and liturgical practice. It was indeed a primary formational event. We can understand the themes of this vital material even better, however, when we notice the internal structure and the relationships between the paragraphs. The text structurally braids together the three themes of protecting the precious firstborn, the Passover lamb, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in 12:1–13:16. The chiastic structure below reveals this pattern.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.