Exodus 12:37-51
The Israelites Leave Egypt
37 And the children of Israel made the journey from Rameses to Succoth; there were about six hundred thousand men on foot, as well as children. 38 And a mixed band of people went with them; and flocks and herds in great numbers. 39 And they made unleavened cakes from the paste which they had taken out of Egypt; it was not leavened, for they had been sent out of Egypt so quickly, that they had no time to make any food ready. 40 Now the children of Israel had been living in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. 41 And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the armies of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt. 42 It is a watch-night before the Lord who took them out of the land of Egypt: this same night is a watch-night to the Lord for all the children of Israel, through all their generations.
43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the law of the Passover: no man who is not an Israelite is to take of it: 44 But every man's servant, whom he has got for money, may take of it, when he has had circumcision. 45 A man from a strange country living among you, and a servant working for payment, may not take part in it. 46 It is to be taken in one house; not a bit of the flesh is to be taken out of the house, and no bone of it may be broken. 47 All Israel is to keep the feast. 48 And if a man from another country is living with you, and has a desire to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all the males of his family undergo circumcision, and then let him come near and keep it; for he will then be as one of your people; but no one without circumcision may keep it. 49 The law is the same for him who is an Israelite by birth and for the man from a strange country who is living with you. 50 So the children of Israel did as the Lord gave orders to Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the Lord took the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 12:37-51
Commentary on Exodus 12:37-42
(Read Exodus 12:37-42)
The children of Israel set forward without delay. A mixed multitude went with them. Some, perhaps, willing to leave their country, laid waste by plagues; others, out of curiosity; perhaps a few out of love to them and their religion. But there were always those among the Israelites who were not Israelites. Thus there are still hypocrites in the church. This great event was 430 years from the promise made to Abraham: see Galatians 3:17. So long the promise of a settlement was unfulfilled. But though God's promises are not performed quickly, they will be, in their season. This is that night of the Lord, that remarkable night, to be celebrated in all generations. The great things God does for his people, are to be not only a few days' wonder, but to be remembered throughout all ages; especially the work of our redemption by Christ. This first passover-night was a night of the Lord, much to be observed; but the last passover-night, in which Christ was betrayed and in which the first passover, with the rest of the Jewish ceremonies, was done away, was a night of the Lord, much more to be observed. Then a yoke, heavier than that of Egypt, was broken from off our necks, and a land, better than that of Canaan, set before us. It was a redemption to be celebrated in heaven, for ever and ever.
Commentary on Exodus 12:43-51
(Read Exodus 12:43-51)
In times to come, all the congregation of Israel must keep the passover. All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for them. The New Testament passover, the Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any. Strangers, if circumcised, might eat of the passover. Here is an early indication of favour to the gentiles. This taught the Jews that their being a nation favoured by God, entitled them to their privileges, not their descent from Abraham. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, 1 Corinthians 5:7; his blood is the only ransom for our souls; without the shedding of it there is no remission; without the sprinkling of it there can be no salvation. Have we, by faith in him, sheltered our souls from deserved vengeance under the protection of his atoning blood? Do we keep close to him, constantly depending upon him? Do we so profess our faith in the Redeemer, and our obligations to him, that all who pass by may know to whom we belong? Do we stand prepared for his service, ready to walk in his ways, and to separate ourselves from his enemies? These are questions of vast importance to the soul; may the Lord direct our consciences honestly to answer them.