The Price of Deliverance | Passover haggadah by Benjamin Hytner

Search Library

First, the Nile River was turned to blood. The fish died and the water was undrinkable. Next, frogs left the river, filled all the houses and died there. Then stinging gnats swarmed around the death in the land. Pharaoh promised to let God's people go after each plague but He did not do it.

God now made a distinction between His people and Pharaoh's people. The rest of the plagues only fell on Pharaoh's people. Even though Pharaoh investigated and saw that the Hebrews did not suffer from these plagues, he refused to let God's people go. In this way, Egypt lost all the wealth they gained under Joseph.

Now "I AM" brings the final plague where He demonstrates His power to , as He said earlier, stretch out His hand and wipe people off the face of the earth. Pharaoh judged the first born of the Hebrews should die to control their population and the Egyptians supported that judgement by executing it. Now that judgment falls on their heads too.

God makes a distinction between Egypt (condemnation) and Israel (mercy and grace) through a sacrifice. Condemnation is fair when the condemned reap what they sow. Mercy is not based on fairness, it is based on loving kindness (grace) and the victim bears the cost of the sin as a sacrifice while the sinner escapes the judgment and fair consequence of their action. Sinful actions harm relationships and only grace can heal them. God's plan is restoration, redemption of the nations, so He chooses to forgive and appoints a Passover sacrifice.

In Exodus 12 "I AM" said, "Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. All the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and the tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. It is My Passover. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every first born , both men and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are and when I see the blood, I will pass over you."

The lamb committed no sin itself but was sacrificed as a symbol that "I AM", the victim of the sin of the nations, is willing to graciously forgive the sin against Him and forgo justice in order to restore relationship with mankind. The blood on the door is the sign that identifies God's redeemed people of faith who obeyed Moses' instructions.

In Exodus 12 Moses said, "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ' What does this ceremony mean to you?', tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of "I AM" who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians.""

Having faith enough to recognize the sovereignty of"I AM", the creator of the universe and the father of mankind, is the turning point between life and death. To obey His commands is both to fear Him for His power and judgments and to love him for His mercy and loving kindness.

Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD there have been no sacrifices of Passover lambs. The shank bone on the Seder plate reminds us of that freedom delivering sacrifice. Also on the plate is an egg, a symbol of new life. It reminds us of the joy experienced when a life is set free.

Lift the second cup

Let us remember and never forget, slaves we were to Pharaoh in Egypt. But the Lord our God brought us forth from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. We therefore thank, praise, extol, honor, bless, glorify, exalt and revere Him who has wrought all these wonders for our ancestors and for us. Let us remember and never forget that He brought us forth from bondage to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity, from servitude to freedom and from death to life. Hallelujah! Blessed are You, eternal Lord our God, king of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine. Amen.

Exodus 12:33-36

The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" So the people took their dough before the yeast was added and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

During an earlier famine the Egyptians had given all their possessions to Joseph for bread to live by. Now, again they give all their possessions for their lives but the bread for a freed people to live by is leaving with the bones of Joseph. This bread is the provision for life for those on their way to the promised land, the place where God's plan for the blessing of the nations is promised to Abraham. At the Last Supper, Jesus took this bread, gave thanks, broke it and passed it out to his disciples saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Lift a piece of matzah

Blessed are You, our Father, our king, who nourishes the whole world in Your goodness with grace, with kindness and with mercy. You give bread to every creature for Your kindness is everlasting and by Your great goodness we never lacked. May we never lack food forever for Your great name's sake, for Messiah's sake, for You are a nourishing and providing God for all. You are gracious for all and You prepare food for all of the creatures You created. Blessed are You Lord who nourishes all. Thank You, eternal Lord our God, king of the universe who brings forth bread from Your fertile earth. Amen.

haggadah Section: -- Ten Plagues