Often there will be multiple types/ shadows/ symbols in Scripture of what will be. Such is the subject of the Christ and it makes an ideal platform for seeing how symbolism works in Scripture.

Moses was leading Israel
out of bondage to the
promise land.

Their stay in Egypt had started as a rescue from famine, and had ended as slavery for the people of Israel. God had heard the pleas of His people for rescue and sent Moses. However, the Pharaoh of the Egyptians proved stubborn and harsh in his resistance to their release.

Then signs were given to convince Pharaoh
to release Israel.

These signs increased in focus and severity on Egypt and its Pharaoh. First there was turning a staff into a snake (which also the magicians of Egypt also did). Then there was turning the river and waters of Egypt into blood (which again the Egyptian magicians also did). Then there was a plague of frogs. (Likewise the magicians also did). Then there was a plague of lice/gnats, to which the magicians responded to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” Ex 8:19. Still Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to release the people. Next came swarms of flies, then the death of Egyptian cattle, then painful boils on the Egyptians, then terrible hail large enough to kill both men and animals. Then came locusts, and then thick darkness even in the daytime. Then came the very last plague.

God would strike all the firstborn of Egypt.

From the firstborn of Pharaoh, to firstborn of every man, whether slave or free, to the firstborn of every animal.

But there was a way out. A Passover lamb.

The ultimate passover lamb was Jesus. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Jn 1:29 WEB. Then in 1Cor 5:7 Paul said, “For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.”

The original was a literal lamb.

Everyone was to take a lamb, and kill it. A male lamb without blemish, Ex 25:5. The blood of the lamb was painted on the side posts of the doors, and the lintels over the doors. Then when God went through the land to kill all the firstborn of Egypt, he would see the blood of the sacrifice and “passover” that house.

They were also to eat of the lamb. We must eat of Jesus.

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Jn 6:54 WEB

They were not boil it or eat it raw. They were to roast it in a fire. So Jesus went to the heart of the earth for us, Mtt 12:41; to the abyss (Greek abusos in Rom 10:7). Peter says,

“in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, …”
1Pe 3:19 WEB

Jesus is that sinless suffering lamb of God of Isaiah 53, the ultimate way we can be “passed over” for our sins.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901