Bo (Go!)

Exodus 10:1 - 13:16

This week's Torah portion continues the story of the outgoing of the Jewish people from the land of Egypt . "Bo", the name of the portion means "to enter" or "go in". we read in Ex. 10:1 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them" In today's portion we read of the remainder of the plagues, climaxing with the offering of the lamb sacrifice known as "Korban Pesach". Our ancestors, the Sages of Israel, offered very interesting interpretations of the famous lamb sacrifice found in Exodus 12.
 

The great Jewish scholar, Maimonedes (also known as Rambam) suggested that the meaning of the sacrifice was as a substitute for the offerer. In his commentary on Lev. 1:9 he says that "The catharsis of a Korban is achieved when the owner experiences his own sacrifice vicariously through the offering. This is most likely what the slaves in Egypt understood because of the Akedah or "binding of Isaac". The blood had to be visible as a sign that sacrifice had been made. Therefore the wrath of God could pass over that home.
 

Others have taught that the Korban or offering was a celebration of the end of slavery. The lamb had to roasted with fire - a picture of the fiery ordeal that the Jewish slaves endured. The lamb was to be eaten with matzo and maror (horseradish) symbolizing poverty and oppression. Eating these elements portrays mastery over these elements. The offering must be eaten entirely symbolizing the fact that the experience is completed with the exodus of the people out of Egypt . Finally they are to eat it "with their loins girded" One Jewish translation of these words are rendered "they were sitting on their suitcases" meaning change was about to come.

As Messianic believers we see the same symbolism as our ancestors! The lamb sacrifice definitely serves as a picture of substitution. The wrath of God passed over the homes where the blood of the lamb could be seen. Messiah Yeshua is our lamb. His death and subsequent resurrection served as a substitution for us. Remember the words of Paul, "Messiah our Passover sacrificed for us" (1Cor. 5:7)
 

In addition, roasting the lamb with fire serves as an illustration of the "fiery ordeals" of this world - the bondage of this world. Eating of the maror and matzo serves as a reminder to us of the victory we have over oppression and poverty. Finally, we partake of the Messiah completely. We take in all of Him, symbolizing the complete victory wand redemption that we find in Messiah Yeshua.

Shabbat Shalom!