Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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King Herod attempted to kill the baby Jesus in a very similar way. In both cases,
the attempt was unsuccessful.
Pharaoh made slaves of the Hebrews and refused to let them go. Satan enslaved
mankind and refused to release man from eternal slavery to sin.
God raised up Moses and gave Him supernatural assistance to induce Pharaoh to
release the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. God sent His Son, complete with
miracles, to deliver mankind from the domination of Satan.
A major battle between good and evil occurred. Pharaoh imposed draconian
measures on the Hebrews, causing them much suffering. Christ, of course,
endured much suffering to successfully complete His mission.
The "blood of the lamb" on their doorposts saved Moses and the Hebrews at
Passover and defeated Pharaoh. Jesus, the "Lamb of God" saved us by shedding
His own blood to defeat Satan.
The bones of the Passover lamb were not
to be broken and the body of the lamb
was to be eaten. Jesus was brutally
crucified, yet none of His bones were
broken. We eat the real and true Body of
the risen Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Hebrew Passover bread is pierced and
striped. Jesus, our "Bread of Life" was
also pierced (with thorns and nails) and striped (scourged).
The Hebrews passed through the Red Sea, which was parted by the power of the
Holy Spirit … "baptism by water and the Holy Spirit", which finally broke the power
of Pharaoh over them. Jesus told us that all men must be reborn by water and the
Holy Spirit … "Sacramental Baptism" … which finally breaks the power Satan has
over us.
Moses came out of Egypt. So did Jesus (St. Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt
to elude Herod's killers).
Moses received the Law (Ten Commandments) on the first Pentecost, 50 days
after Passover. We received the Church on Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus died
and rose again.
Through Moses, God instituted the Old Testament priesthood. Through His Son
Jesus, on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper, God instituted the New Testament
priesthood.
The Hebrews went astray and sinned constantly, but God forgave them and
continued to care for them. Ditto for us, today.
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