John Calvin Commentary Exodus 12:25

"And it shall come to pass, when ye are come to the land which Jehovah will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service." — Exodus 12:25 (ASV)

When you come into the land. He now adds that this rite must be annually observed, so that the memory of this extraordinary grace might never perish. However, since a commandment is given concerning the continual observation¹⁴² of the Sabbath, I will postpone its explanation to a more appropriate place, except to briefly remark that the proclamation of the blessing is connected to the sign, because otherwise it would be an empty and meaningless proceeding.

God, therefore, willed that the fathers should proclaim it to their children, so that the knowledge of their redemption, being handed down by tradition, may flourish in all ages.

Some have improperly translated the word עבד,¹⁴³ gnebod, as “work,” whereas it is actually used for “worship,” just as in many passages to serve God means the same as to worship Him. We too, in French, call whatever relates to the exercises of piety “God’s service.”

Finally, Moses adds that the people professed their faith and obedience by solemn adoration. Indeed, they had already done this from the beginning, but with little consistency, because they had been so harassed by their afflictions that they neglected their duty; but now they correct the fault of ingratitude. Therefore, they not only declare their seriousness by bowing the head, but also give actual proof of it; for it is explicitly stated that they diligently performed whatever was commanded.

¹⁴² The word “Sabbath,” which is not translated in the French, is probably an accidental interpolation.

¹⁴³ עבדה. Est servitus et ministerium. Hic vero accipitur pro ritu. S M — W