Mt. Carmel, Israel

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Behold the Passover Lamb

“Every man shall take for himself a lamb… Your lamb shall be without blemish… and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day… and kill it at twilight.” (Exodus 12:3–6)

Tomorrow night (Saturday) Jewish families, both secular and religious, in Israel and in the nations, will gather around their tables for the traditional Passover meal, the first feast of the biblical year. A growing number of believers will also join in retelling the Exodus story of deliverance from bondage and slavery into freedom.

Passover is not simply a celebration of freedom, it is a declaration of deliverance by blood. At the heart of this special feast lies a single, vital element - the lamb. Not a metaphor, not a symbolic gesture, but a literal lamb, chosen, sacrificed, and its blood applied. Exodus 12:3–8 brings this into full view, laying out God’s divine prescription for Israel’s survival on the night judgment fell upon Egypt. 

“Every man shall take for himself a lamb… Your lamb shall be without blemish… and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day… and kill it at twilight.” (Ex. 12:3–6)

Don't miss the intensity of this moment. Each family was instructed to select a lamb—a young, male, unblemished lamb. They were to keep it in the house for four days, tending to it and caring for it. This wasn’t a last-minute run to the butcher for some chilled meat. The lamb became part of the household, but then, on Passover eve the knife would fall.

However that wasn’t the end—it was just the beginning. God’s instruction was clear: take the blood and apply it to the doorposts and lintel of the house. Not the walls. Not the floor. The frame. A boundary marked in blood. Then, as the Lord passed through Egypt, He would “pass over” the homes marked by obedience and covered in blood.

Being passed over wasn’t about nationality. Salvation came through the blood, and only the blood. Anyone who was in a home with blood on the doorpost and lintel would be saved, whether Hebrew, Egyptian or any other ethnicity, and in all probability, there were those from among the Egyptians who were saved by being in a home marked by the blood.

Fast forward nearly 1,500 years to the banks of the Jordan River. A locust and wild honey-eating prophet clothed in camel hair (John), fixes his gaze on a solitary figure and cries out:

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

This was not poetic talent. John was pointing to the very fulfillment of Exodus 12. Messiah Yeshua - Jesus - is the Passover Lamb. Chosen. Without blemish. Publicly examined. Sacrificed at the appointed time, on Passover eve.

Paul doesn’t mince words when he declares, “Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Peter echoes the same message: “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Messiah, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19).

This is the gospel in Exodus clothing. The Lamb was central then and the Lamb is still central now. For all believers today, Jews and Gentiles, Passover is not just a Jewish holiday celebrated in Israel or by Jews around the world. It is part of our inheritance and is the complete picture of our salvation. As believers we get to tell the story of Passover with its subsequent fulfillment in Messiah. Passover without Messiah is only the first half of the story, just as Messiah without the foundation of Passover is only the second half of the story, and we need both for a complete picture.

The command was not simply to kill the lamb and apply its blood. The lamb had to be eaten. Internalized. Received.

What a powerful image. Yeshua told His disciples during His final Passover meal, “Take, eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26). He wasn’t creating a new ritual so much as He was fulfilling an ancient one. To follow Him is to partake of Him. His sacrifice isn't a mere spectacle to be admired, it’s a meal to be consumed.

Just as the blood on the doorposts signaled safety from judgment at the Exodus, the blood of Messiah covers those who trust in Him today, for “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22)

The lamb and the blood of the lamb are the focal point of the Passover celebration. Most Jewish families still do not recognize who the Passover Lamb really is so they don't have the second half of the story, they do not have atonement. As those who are blessed to have both. Let this weekend be a time to pray and intercede for the Jewish people to recognize who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, that they can also receive and partake of his loving sacrifice made for all who will believe and call upon his name.

Blessing you and your loved ones 
with a very happy Passover!

The Carmel Alert - Israel at War - Day 553

Top Weekly News Events

• Mike Huckabee Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Israel
  The U.S. Senate confirmed former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the new ambassador to Israel. A staunch pro-Israel evangelical Christian, Huckabee is expected to reinforce Trump’s hardline Middle East policies in support of Israel which he is highly familiar with, having visited over 100 times. Huckabee assumes the role amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a potential joint strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and volatile U.S.-Israel trade ties under Trump’s new trade policy. His appointment signals continued strong alignment with Israel under Trump’s second term.
  
  Pray that Ambassador Huckabee can be a vessel in the Lord's hands to impact Israeli officials with the gospel, and also influence the geo-political arena according to God's plan and purposes

  IDF Expands Ground Offensive in Gaza
  On April 4, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a ground operation in Gaza's Shuja'iyya neighborhood, aiming to expand the security buffer zone. The IDF is also expanding the Morag Corridor, a security zone in southern Gaza separating Khan Yunis and Rafah with the goal of cutting of the Hamas Rafah brigade, encircling and eliminating it. The corridor also aims to partition Gaza, restricting movement between sections and increasing pressure on Hamas to release hostages and relinquish control. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated intentions to seize large areas to incorporate into these security zones. ​
  
  Pray for continued protection for all Israel defense and security forces in Gaza, for their success and for the complete eradication of the enemy

• Israel and Turkey Negotiate Syria Deconfliction to Prevent Conflict
  Israel and Turkey are engaging in technical talks to establish a deconfliction mechanism in Syria, aiming to avoid unintended military clashes. The discussions, confirmed by an Israeli source and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on April 9, follow Israel Air Force airstrikes on Syrian sites previously scouted by Turkey. These strikes targeted locations like the T-4 airbase, which Turkey assessed for potential military use. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized avoiding confrontation with Turkey but vowed to act if necessary. Turkey's President Erdogan, who is essentially aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood is a key supporter of Syria’s new Islamist-led government and never misses an opportunity to severely criticize Israel. During the final prayers of Ramadan he publicly declared: "May Allah, for the sake of his name … destroy and devastate Zionist Israel".
  
  Pray that the tension with Turkey over Syria will not escalate, and for God's righteous judgement against all those who stand in opposition to his plans and his nation - Israel.

• High Court Temporarily Halts Dismissal of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar
  On April 8, 2025, Israel's High Court issued an interim order preventing the dismissal of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar until at least April 20, urging the disagreed government and Attorney-General's Office to find a "creative solution." The government's decision to remove Bar, citing a "lack of trust," has been contested by petitioners alleging political motives linked to Shin Bet's "Qatargate" investigations of Prime Minister Netanyahu's close advisors who were allegedly paid by the Qatar government to promote its interests in Israel. The court's directive prohibits appointing a replacement during this period, though Netanyahu may interview candidates. The situation has sparked heated debates, with some ministers threatening to disregard the court's ruling, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis.
  
  Pray that the truth surrounding "Qatargate" comes to light, and that Israel's political, judicial and security leaders act with integrity and honesty. 

• Netanyahu and Trump Discuss Iran's Nuclear Program
  On April 7, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to address Iran's nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu emphasized that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, advocating for a resolution similar to the Libyan model, involving the dismantling of Iran's nuclear facilities under full U.S. supervision. He warned that prolonged negotiations could necessitate military action. Trump echoed this stance, stating Iran would face significant danger if talks failed maintaining a possible joint U.S.-Israeli strike. The leaders also discussed strategies to eliminate Hamas and efforts to return the remaining 59 hostages.
  
  Pray that the U.S.-Israeli cooperation continues and succeeds in dismantling Iran's nuclear threat against Israel and the region. 

• Released Israeli Hostages Address U.S. Officials
  U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with former Israeli hostages and families of those still held in Gaza, reaffirming the Trump administration's commitment to securing the release of all 59 remaining hostages. Vance emphasized the urgency of reuniting families and acknowledged their ongoing pain. President Donald Trump invited released Israeli hostages Aviva Siegel, Iair Horn, and Keith Siegel to join him at a gala event organized by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in Washington. They thanked President Trump for his personal involvement in their release and for saving their lives, and Trump vowed he would not rest until all of the hostages are returned.
  
  Pray for the ongoing efforts of Israel's government and security agencies, along with the U.S., to bear fruit. For the remaining 59 hostages to be released, and for the 24 who are alive to return alive.

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