Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 12:24
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever.
24. The ceremonies prescribed in vv. 21, 22 (‘this thing’) are to be observed in perpetuity, year by year.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Exo 12:24-25
Ye shall keep this service.
Celebration of the Passover
I. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the principle of vicarious suffering. It is seen in the birth of the infant, in the history of the family circle, in the events of everyday life, but supremely in the Cross of Christ. In the Cross of Christ it is seen in its highest embodiment, in its truest meaning, and in its most glorious possibility. There is the innocent dying for the guilty, the God-man suffering for the race.
II. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the need of falling in with all the requirements of the great scheme of salvation. The method whereby the Israelites were to be protected from the stroke of the Destroying Angel was Divinely originated, clearly revealed, and imperative in requirement. The sinner must be saved in Gods way, and not after his own. He may reason about the peculiarity of the method of salvation; be may think that other means will be more effective to the end desired; but if he at last is found out of the Divine way of safety, he will inevitably be lost. The blood of Christ sprinkled on the heart is the only sign the Destroying Angel will recognize and regard as the token of safety.
III. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the Divine method of salvation will avert the most awful peril. The trustful soul shall not be hurt by the second death.
IV. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the efficacy of the Divine method of salvation should be associated with public religious ordinances (Exo 12:24).
V. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the good should be able to give an intelligent explanation of their moral safety (Exo 12:27). (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The need of an intelligent apprehension of the service and worship of God
I. It is necessary in order to the true performance of religious service and worship.
II. It is necessary in order to the true performance of parental duty and instruction.
III. It is necessary in order to refute and silence the sceptical reasonings of men. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The blood of sprinkling and the children
I. The importance attached to the blood of sacrifice is here made very plain.
1. It became and remained the national mark.
2. It was also the saving token.
3. It was rendered as conspicuous as possible.
4. It was made very dear to the people themselves by the fact that they trusted in it in the most implicit manner.
5. The paschal bloodshedding was to be had in perpetual remembrance.
6. This sprinkling of the blood was to be an all-pervading memory.
II. The institution that was connected with the remembrance of the Passover. Inquiry should be excited respecting spiritual things in the minds of children. The doctrine of the expiatory sacrifice is a gospel for the youngest. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Children should be taught the doctrine of the Cross
It is well to explain to children the ordinance of the Lords Supper, for this shows forth the death of Christ in symbol. I regret that children do not oftener see this ordinance. Baptism and the Lords Supper should both be placed in view of the rising generation, that they may then ask us, What mean ye by this? Now, the Lords Supper is a perennial gospel sermon, and it turns mainly upon the sacrifice for sin. You may banish the doctrine of the Atonement from the pulpit, but it will always live in the Church through the Lords Supper. You cannot explain that broken bread and that cup filled with the fruit of the vine, without reference to the Lords atoning death. You cannot explain the communion of the body of Christ without bringing in, in some form or other, the death of Jesus in our place and stead. Let your little ones, then, see the Lords Supper, and let them be told most clearly what it sets forth. Tell them who it was that suffered, and why. And when attention is excited upon the best of themes, let us be ready to explain the great transaction by which God is just, and yet sinners are justified. Children can well understand the doctrine of the expiatory sacrifice; it was meant to be a gospel for the youngest. The gospel of substitution is a simplicity, though it is a mystery. We ought not to be content until our little ones know and trust in their finished Sacrifice. This is essential knowledge, and the key to all other spiritual teaching. With all their gettings may they get an understanding of this, and they will have the foundation rightly laid. This will necessitate your teaching the child his need of a Saviour. You must not hold back from this needful task. Do not flatter the child with delusive rubbish about his nature being good and needing to be developed. Tell him he must be born again. Dont bolster him up with the fancy of his own innocence, but show him his sin. Mention the childish sins to which he is prone, and pray the Holy Spirit to work conviction in his heart and conscience. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
This thing, viz. the substance of the thing, the passover and feast of unleavened bread, though not all the rites and ceremonies, whereof divers were peculiar to the first time.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and thy sons for ever. Not this last thing of sprinkling the blood, which was peculiar to the passover in Egypt; but the whole before observed relating to the feast of the passover, and the feast of unleavened bread, and all the rites appertaining to them, which were to be observed until the coming of Christ.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. And ye shall observe this thing. He again repeats the precept as to its annual celebration, and expressly says, that, when they have come into the land, the recollection of their deliverance is yearly to be revived by this rite. He adds, however, what he had not before touched upon, that they should also teach their children, since, without the aid of this teaching, it would have been an unmeaning and useless spectacle. For doctrine may justly be called the life of sacraments, without which no rigor remains in them, so far are they from imparting to us any life. Lest, then, the passover should be a lifeless ceremony, God in this place enjoins that it shall not be mute; for in these words, “when your children shall say unto you,” Moses does not mean that they are to wait until their children make inquiry of their own accord, and anticipate the zeal of their parents; but he only indicates the age when they are capable of being taught. Yet, at the same time, he indirectly exhorts the children to teachableness, when their age admits of their understanding what the passover signifies, and enjoins them diligently to inquire into the use of the ceremony; that thus religion may be handed down, and may ever flourish amongst the people. Since, then, the Paschal Lamb corresponds with the Holy Supper, we may gather from hence, that none can be duly admitted to receive it, but those who are capable of being taught.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) This thing.Not the sprinkling of the blood, which was never repeated after the first occasion, but the sacrifice of the lamb, commanded in Exo. 12:21.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24-27. The monumental character of this feast as a perpetual reminder of the supernatural origin of the nation, and as a means of education to all the generations of the people, is here minutely emphasized and enforced .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
What Israelite, that knew his mercy in the distinguishing grace of God between him and the Egyptian, but must gladly renew the remembrance of it, every year! And what true believer among Christians who knows and experiences the love of Christ in delivering him while so many know it not, but must rejoice to commemorate, by an ordinance forever, this great salvation? Joh 14:22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 12:24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
Ver. 24. For ever. ] See Trapp on “ Exo 12:15 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 12:14, Gen 17:8-10
Reciprocal: Exo 13:10 – General Num 15:15 – an ordinance Psa 44:1 – have heard Psa 78:7 – not forget