JAMES E. HAWKINS, 36 BAKER STREET, W., AND 12 PATERNOSTER SQUARE, E.C. DUBLIN: DUBLIN TRACT REPOSITORY, 10 D'OLIER STREET. 1878. IN SHADOWS OF CHRIST. PART XIII. THE PASSOVER-Ex. xii. "For even Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us. 1 Cor. vi 7. N all the nine judgments that had been executed upon the Egyptians, Israel had been exempted; but the tenth was death, and therefore it represented specially the divine penalty pronounced against man as a sinner. This opportunity is therefore chosen by God to show forth in one of the most striking and comprehensive types which illuminate the page of Scripture, His gracious and yet righteous way of delivering an elect and believing people from that condemnation under which they, in common with all others, had lain. The month Abib being that in which Israel came forth from Egypt, it was commanded by Jehovah that in the same month they were annually to observe this feast. This was to be to them the "beginning of months"-the first month of their year. Does not this seem to teach that not until the sinner has sheltered from the wrath of God by faith in the blood of Christ, does he begin to live in the sight of God. Until then, although indeed foreknown and elect, yet was he dead to God. Then is he delivered, not only from the stroke of divine judgment due to him as a sinner, but also from the power of Satan (Acts xxvi. 18), and from this present eyil world (Gal. i. 4). Hence the importance of the three days during which it was set apart or kept up-days in which it cannot be doubted that many an anxious look would be directed to the victim, to see whether it was in all points such as God could accept. Thus at the very commencement of the three years during which the Lord Jesus moved before men in a public capacity, He was pointed out by John the Baptist. Twice is it repeated, "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world ;" and again, "looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith Behold the Lamb of God." (John i. 29, 36.) As if to call the attention of a nation which had just been I warned of the coming wrath that should burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, to the Lamb of God's providing to the mighty work He came to do, and to |