The Lamb

שׂה תמים זכר בן שׁנה יהיה לכם מן הכבשׂים ומן העזים תקחו

ואכלו את הבשׂר בלילה הזה צלי אשׁ ומצות על מררים יאכלהו

Exodus 12:5,8
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Lamb from the Sheep or the Goats
Unleavened Bread – Matzo
Bitter Herbs – Maror

These are the only required foods that must be eaten to complete a Passover.

There may be other foods and drinks in addition to these, but the others are not required according to Exodus 12.

The only food forbidden throughout Passover is yeast as in the leavening agent for breads.

Roast lamb is required for Passover. There are no options!
Roast lamb is required for Passover. There are no options!

One of the required foods to complete a Passover is no longer available and the ability to complete a Biblical Passover has not been possible since 70 AD with the destruction of the sdqmh tyb Holy Temple in Jerusalem. There are specific commandments that the Pascal Lamb could not be offered and slain, except in the place God chose. He chose Jerusalem.

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there. Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents. Deuteronomy 16:1-7

A Biblical Passover can not be kept today

The keeping of the Feasts of Leviticus 23 have just become Bible studies remembering the way God commanded them to be kept.

Table setting for Passover Seder Bible study  seating eight
Table setting for Passover Seder Bible study seating eight

After 70 AD the reason for the need of a lamb at Passover was soon lost and the memory of the lamb was relegated to the place of just a “spring ritual” or something that is “eaten in the spring”. The thought that the lamb was necessary to obtain the blood which was put around the door was lost or hardly ever mentioned. In many modern Haggadahs, (booklets used to guide a Passover Seder), the lamb is given only one or two sentences or is totally left out.


God closed the door to sacrifice 2,000 years ago

They were not, as some say, just a “spring ritual” and no longer necessary as the world changed. The blood atonement and animal sacrifices were so important that the Creator said the following.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Leviticus 17:11


God closed the door to animal sacrifice 2,000 years ago

In 586 BC the Lord destroyed Solomon’s Temple and exiled the Children of Israel to Babylon for only 70 years.

Were the Jewish people so corrupt 2,000 years ago that He destroyed the Temple again and this time sent the Jews into 2,000 years of exile? The answer to this question is No!

2,000 years ago God made an offering of Himself and closed the door to animal sacrifice

“There is no new thing under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9 and it is possible to find people doing many strange things.

According to HAARETZ Newspaper in Israel April 24, 2013 “The Samaritan community conducted its annual Passover sacrifice Tuesday evening under the leadership of a new high priest, as 50 sheep were slaughtered on Mount Gerizim in an ancient ceremony that attracted more than 1,000 spectators from around the world.” There are less than 800 Samaritans in their community.

Mt Gerizim is 28.5 miles North of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
Mt Gerizim is 28.5 miles North of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem

The following set of photographs of the Samaritan Passover are very old and were taken in the 1890s. If all the details of their Passover service were simply a Bible study it would be commendable. However if the killing of the sheep and other details is done to gain some redemptive merit it misses the mark set by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus spoke of this in John chapter 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Samaritan Passover, Photo 1890 encampment on Mount Gerizim,
Samaritan Passover, Photo 1890 encampment on Mount Gerizim,

 

Samaritan Passover, high priest with scroll at Mt. Gerizim Photo 1890
Samaritan Passover, high priest with scroll at Mt. Gerizim Photo 1890

 

Samaritan Passover, killing and preparing the lamb carcass, Photo 1890

 

Samaritan Passover, Lamb carcasses ready to roast Photo 1890
Samaritan Passover, Lamb carcasses ready to roast Photo 1890

 

Samaritan Passover, family eating Passover sacrifice, Photo 1890
Samaritan Passover, family eating Passover sacrifice, Photo 1890

All of this is a good Bible study if you look to Jesus The Messiah . John 1:29 John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:8-14

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; … This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Hebrews 10:12-18

Israeli_Stop

The following words are
VERY IMPORTANT.

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Without lamb at Passover the entire meaning is lost. Go ahead and roast lamb.
Without lamb at Passover the entire meaning is lost. Go ahead and roast lamb.

 

It is important that lamb is used for this Bible study rather than chicken, turkey or beef (as taught by most rabbis). Lamb is central to the service and there is much that is needed to be taught about this lamb. It is impossible to make the needed references if a lamb is not used and another animal is inserted in the teaching.

If you cook lamb for the Passover Bible study you will find it fits into the narrative of Exodus 12 and all the other verses from the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) where a lamb sacrifice is mentioned.

Roast lamb basted with honey and butter, the blackened crust falls off
Roast lamb basted with honey and butter, the blackened crust falls off

 

The Pascal lamb and all sacrifices to the Lord were to be examined for defects and the very best was to be offered. This is made very clear in the book of Malachi chapter 1.

“And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. … and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

Examine The Lamb

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year… Exodus 12:5

שׂה תמים זכר בן שׁנה

Photograph of the Jordan River in 1915.
Photograph of the Jordan River in 1915.

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. Exodus 12:3-6

“Lamb without blemish”

Mymt hv

Photo from a Torah Scroll from Vilnius, Lithuania written in the mid 1700s.

Exodus 12 From Torah Scroll written in Lithuania in the 1700s - Pointing to your lamb shall be without blemish
Exodus 12 From Torah Scroll written in Lithuania in the 1700s – Pointing to your lamb shall be without blemish

Jesus was examined by John

Mymt Means “without blemish”
Jesus was examined by John the baptist and declared to be the Lamb of God

Jesus was examined by Satan

At Jesus' weakest point he was examined by Satan
At Jesus’ weakest point he was examined by Satan

Jesus was examined by the Pharisees

The Pharisees examined Jesus and tried to trick Him with hard questions
The Pharisees examined Jesus and tried to trick Him with hard questions

Jesus was examined by the Sadducees

The Sadducees examined Jesus and tried to trick Him with hard questions
The Sadducees examined Jesus and tried to trick Him with hard questions

Jesus was examined by the High Priest

The High Priest examined Jesus and brought in false witnesses to prove Him sinful
The High Priest examined Jesus and brought in false witnesses to prove Him sinful

Jesus was examined by the Romans

The Roman Pilate examined Jesus and found Him guiltless
The Roman Pilate examined Jesus and found Him guiltless

Examine Him Yourself

Examine Him yourself. Your where you spend eternity depends on it.
Examine Him yourself. Your where you spend eternity depends on it.

It is your choice

You know in your heart He is guiltless and we are all sinners.
You know in your heart He is guiltless and we are all sinners.

Jesus said:

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. Exodus 12:6

והיה לכם למשׁמרת עד ארבעה עשׂר יום לחדשׁ הזה ושׁחטו אתו כל קהל עדת ישׂראל בין הערבים׃

It is impossible to have Passover without a lamb because the lamb is the Passover

The next slide will be a short excerpt of a film. It is a very good example of what actually happened in all the homes of the Jews in Egypt on the evening of Passover. It is also a perfect picture of Jesus “the lamb of God”. In the film there is a stone altar on the hills of Judea. A small lamb, innocent and harmless, is standing next to the pile of stones. A man roughly lays the lamb down and ties the front and back feet. It seems like the cords are perhaps just a little too tight. Next, the lamb is laid on the stones of the altar. You can see the lamb’s little legs and hoofs move with each beat of it’s heart. The lamb is not making a noise, biting, or struggling. He just lays there as the man takes a large knife and cuts the it’s throat. You see the lamb relax as it dies.

As you watch this video think about passages of Scripture from Isaiah 53.

dam hbgw avnw Mwry ydbe lykvy hnh

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. wntemsl Nymah ym Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Film





This Scroll of Isaiah was written in Poland before the Holocaust. It is opened to Isaiah chapter 53 where a very good description of the sacrifice of The Messiah is prophesied. This Scroll shows a paragraph break between Isaiah 52:15 and 53:1. Three of the other Scrolls of Isaiah we have worked with do not show this break but include Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12 as one complete thought or paragraph. These portions of Scripture are are very controversial and are left out of the yearly Scripture reading.

Isaiah 53 shown on a Hebrew Scroll of Isaiah

The following photograph is from a Hebrew Scroll of Isaiah which was authenticated by Machon OT of Jerusalem to have been written around 1910 in Russia. The yad (pointer) points to the Hebrew word ym followed by Nymah which is in English “Who hath believed”. Notice this is well into the paragraph which begins in Isaiah 52:13 with the Hebrew words …
ydbe lyksy hnh which in English is “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently”. Among the Hebrew Scrolls of Isaiah we have examined this is the common way this passage of Scripture begins. The exception is the one shown in the preceding photograph.

Isaiah 53 shown on a Hebrew Scroll of Isaiah - "Who hath believed?"
Isaiah 53 shown on a Hebrew Scroll of Isaiah – “Who hath believed?”

Accusations have been made for almost 2,000 years about who is to blame for the death of Jesus of Nazareth. Who killed Christ? There is a simple answer to that question if we examine the Scripture.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:14-18

The blood of the Passover lamb was put on the two doorposts and lintel
The blood of the Passover lamb was put on the two doorposts and lintel

And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.Exodus 12:22

ולקחתם אגדת אזוב וטבלתם בדם אשׁר בסף והגעתם אל המשׁקוף ואל שׁתי המזוזת מן הדם אשׁר בסף ואתם לא תצאו אישׁ מפתח ביתו עד בקר׃

hyssop may be found growing wild throughout Israel
hyssop may be found growing wild throughout Israel

 

To save the life of the firstborn males blood was put on the doorposts and lintel
To save the life of the firstborn males blood was put on the doorposts and lintel

Jesus The Messiah took our place

The firstborn of creation died for us so the destroyer would passover
The firstborn of creation died for us so the destroyer would passover

 

These Roman bronze nails correspond to crucifixion sites.
These Roman bronze nails correspond to crucifixion sites.

 

The door became bloody.

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. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Exodus 12:21-23

ויקרא משׁה לכל זקני ישׂראל ויאמר אלהם משׁכו וקחו לכם צאן למשׁפחתיכם ושׁחטו הפסח׃
ולקחתם אגדת אזוב וטבלתם בדם אשׁר בסף והגעתם אל המשׁקוף ואל שׁתי המזוזת מן הדם אשׁר בסף ואתם לא תצאו אישׁ מפתח ביתו עד בקר׃
ועבר יהוה לנגף את מצרים וראה את הדם על המשׁקוף ועל שׁתי המזוזת ופסח יהוה על הפתח ולא יתן המשׁחית לבא אל בתיכם לנגף׃

Jesus is the door to eternal life. He said in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is the door to eternal life. He said in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:1-9