oh enslaved these rapidly growing Israelite foreigners for fear of their increasing numbers (1:8-14). After many years of slavery, the LORD called Moses to lead the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt (3:1-10). The LORD sent plague after plague upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians in an effort to persuade Pharaoh to set the Israelites free, but Pharaoh kept refusing time after time (chapters 7-10).

Finally, the LORD prepared the Israelites for one final and terrifying plague against the Egyptians: the killing of all first-born Egyptian children and animals (11:4-8; see 4:21-23). The first-born of the Israelites would be spared the deadly effects of this plague by participating in the Passover meal and smearing the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts of their homes. The text for this Sunday describe this Passover meal in Egypt as well as the instructions for future celebrations of the annual Festival of Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread in future generations once the Israelites leave Egypt.

In this story God make a new beginning possible when all seemed hopeless. Have you seen that happen in your life?

The Israelites have shared this story through all the generations. How do we pass along the faith to the next generation?

What connections do you see between Passover and the Lord’s Supper?