Wow, this is a long chapter, and there is a lot in it. There is a lot to be said about the angels destroying the Egyptian gods. It's been somewhat of a theme throughout the plagues and speaks to His jealousy and possessiveness. There is more to say about the rituals of the Passover. But what I choose to focus on is how God is paving a new way for the Israelites.
The first instruction is that they are going to change their calendar so that their new year starts in spring. I suppose that the Israelites are hopeful and doubtful at the same time. They've been stuck for so long. Time after time Pharaoh has been stubborn. Why would they believe that this time would be any different? Being commanded to change their calendar makes a very significant statement that things will be different from here on out. This, along with the detailed instructions for Passover would be constant reminders to them of what God has done for them. Not only that, but they were serving him, no longer subject to the power of Pharaoh. I can imagine that the tendency would be to fall into the rituals of their lives of slavery, knowing nothing else. But God gave them a new path, a new calendar, new traditions. I think this is an important example for us. When we leave an old habit or season of life, it's important to change some things and replace some things in order for us to move forward. We need to be intentional, not just suppose that our lives will move forward because we will them to or think they should. A clear and detailed plan for a new path needs to be made and followed.
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