Thread by @shaw_davidm

THREAD: A portion of my PhD thesis in relation to 1 Pet 1:18-19 where Peter writes about Anatolian believers being 'ransomed . . . with the precious blood of Christ , like that of a lamb without blemish or spot...' /1

It has been argued that Peter's reference to the lamb without blemish or spot maybe a conflation of 3 trad's: i.e, the Passover of the Exodus (Ex 12:21–23), the sacrificial cult in general (Lev), and the prophetic tradition connected w/ the Suffering Servant of Isa 53. /2

Alternatively, I suggest that v. 19 continues to retain a predominantly Exodus motif, but rather than referring to the original Passover in Exod 12, it instead alludes to the
second Passover in Num 9:1–5. /3

One may detect that Peter is following a narrative that traces highlights from Exodus through Numbers: (1). The first allusion to Exodus narrative, as already referred to, appears in 1 Pet 1:13, “gird up the loins of your mind” (cf. Exod 12:11). /4

Significant to this reference: the first Passover looked toward future salvation, in much the same way the church looks forward to Christ’s return; (2) The second allusion appears in 1:14, with the warning against returning to one’s former way of life (cf. Lev 18:2–4); /5

(3) The third appearance of the Exodus motif is a direct quotation in 1 Pet 1:16, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (cf. Lev 19:2); (4) The fourth allusion appears in 1:18–19, I believe, referencing the second Passover in Num 9:1–5, for the following reasons... /6

a. Έλυτρώθητε, looks back to the past, “you were ransomed . . . by the precious blood of Christ”. In the same way, Num 9:1–5, celebrates the Passover for the second time, looking back to Israel’s original salvation from Egypt, which began with the first Passover in Ex 12:1–28, /7

... thus remembering God’s faithfulness to rescue them. Similarly, 1 Pet 1:18 encourages Anatolian believers to look back on the blood-stained ransom, that likewise recalls God’s faithfulness to rescue them thru the willing sacrifice of Christ. /8

b. While the language in 1 Pet 1:19 refers to “a lamb without blemish or spot” (cf. Exod 12:5), Num 9:3 indicates that the second Passover would be kept “according to all its statutes and all its rules” including, presumably, “a lamb without blemish or spot”. /9

We may show the parallels in a thematic table with biblical references below: /10

If correct, one may view 1 Pet 1:13–19 as recounting an abridged history of Israel’s most identity-defining moments from the Exodus-wilderness narrative. This brief selection of verses encompasses all the elements for Peter’s recipients to be “transported” into the narrative. /11

These verses also follow a plot that takes the reader on the journey of Israel’s redemption from the first Passover in Exodus, to Mt Sinai in Leviticus, and to the wilderness of Numbers, unfolding in such a way that it aligns with the
experience of the Anatolian believers. /12

Such a narrative provides verisimilitude that readers
or listeners require to be absorbed into and sympathise with the narrative and characters presented. In so doing, Peter seeks to shape the identity, beliefs, values & actions
of newly-converted gentiles... /13

that would manifest in holy living (1:15–16), on
account of Christ’s blood sacrifice which ransomed them (1:18–19) from slavery to sin (1:14), and giving them a hope for the future (1:13). /14

In sum, Peter helps the Anatolian Christians understand their own experience and life with God by offering a narrative built on an Exodus framework as understood in light of the Christ event... /15

Which is to say, this early gentile church shares in both the narrative of Jesus and Israel; and that the redemption of Israel that comes thru Jesus belongs also to them. /END

PS: On the importance of Exodus for understanding 1 Peter, see Allan Chapple, 'The Appropriation of Scripture in 1 Peter', in @matthewrmalcolm (ed) ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE DECLARED, Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2015, pp. 155-171.

PPS: thanks for the RT's and likes on this thread (and my very first 'Thread Unroll'!). Very encouraged. Next Wednesday's text, 1 Pet 1:32–2:10. Thanks again for tuning in to 'Wednesdays in 1 Peter'. 👍