Passover Rulebook

Exodus 12:43-51


So God spells out the specifics of what He wants when the Passover is celebrated.

First: No foreigner may eat of it. This is for God's people and God's people only. Perhaps this is to keep the feast from being trivialized. It's not just a flatbread feast- if it's meaningless to the observers, it serves no purpose.

Second: A slave can eat it- but only after he's been circumcised. Hired workers and temporary residents aren't welcome. The mention of slavery in a neutral light in the Bible is more than puzzling to me- especially in addressing the slave owners. But maybe this is God giving a break to those who are in bondage. You are a slave- but I'll treat you as my child- come have a part of my feast- but before you do- let me make sure you're committed to me.

Convincing someone capable of consent to agree to let someone cut his sexual organ shows serious commitment- especially in days before MD's, sterilization, and anaesthetics at least to the level that we're used to. But God says- you're here long term- you're committed to me- be a part of the family.

Third: It must be eaten inside one house. This is not a yard party. No croquet or bocce. Take no meat outside the doors. Is this just symbolic of the saving power of the blood? Is God suggesting a formality required? Is He trying to keep the celebrants together during the celebration? The symbolism is my guess, but I'm not real sure.

Fourth: Do not break any of the bones. This seems to be foreshadowing Christ's crucifixion- although it was probably really puzzling and perhaps even frustrating to them as they prepared the food.

Fifth: The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. This seems like it would be tough to legislate. Did they have Passover Police going door to door, checking the blood on the posts? Drug dogs sniffing for leaven? Police tape barring the exits making sure no food left the premises? It seems to me the spirit of this may have been- if you're in Israel- these rules are for you. We're all celebrating- no one is exempt.

Finally: If an alien lives among the Israelites- he can eat- but not until every male in his household has been circumcised. No uncircumcised male may eat of it- either native or alien.

So they listened and obeyed- and on that day God brought them out of Egypt by their divisions.

It seems to me here that God has opened his family to anyone interested in being a part of it- if he or she (actually maybe just he is appropriate for these patriarchical times) is willing to show some commitment to Him. In it's earliest form, "the blessed gospel is for all."

And these rules are for next year? They left in a hurry, and had seemingly already done the blood on the doorpost thing. Is this just told out of sequence, or are these rules to get them ready for the following celebration?

It's interesting to me that laws so long ago point forward to the coming Christ. Kind of an indirect prophecy- although not even Moses would have really understood (unless God spelled it out for him). Do things work that way still? Do puzzling things in our lives, or in God's laws point toward unknown events or constructs to come when this life is over? To when Christ comes back?

Once again- it seems like it's important to remember that God's in control- and He hasn't revealed all of the answers. Trust and obey.