Exodus 12:21
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.
Exodus 12:21
Moses commands the elders to select and sacrifice a lamb for each family, a central act of faith and communal responsibility. The emphasis on elders underscores leadership accountability in worship and obedience. The act of killing the Passover lamb is, in essence, a sacrifice that marks the transition from bondage to freedom, and from ritual to relationship with God. The scene is intimate and communal, integrating domestic, tribal, and national dimensions.
The lamb’s blood is the sign of divine protection and judgment averted for Israel. This foreshadows sacrificial substitution in the biblical narrative and ultimately points to Christ as the Paschal Lamb. Leadership, sacrifice, and obedience converge here, highlighting the covenantal dynamic: God acts first, Israel responds in faith and worship.
Leadership matters in faith communities. If you’re a parent, mentor, or teacher, model decisive steps of faith—leading in prayer, instruction, and sacrificial service. Encourage families to act in faith, taking steps they cannot fully justify apart from God’s promise and protection.
Cross-References: Leviticus 3:1-5; John 1:29; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19