The Passover.
This week’s focused on a couple highlights of Moses’ life. Chapters 3 and 12 of Exodus barely scratch the surface of the man from 1) Being born into a time and place where he had 0% chance to thrive. 2) Rescued in his early life out of the water (hence the name “Moses”). 3) Growing up in the palace of Pharaoh yet facing his wrath again and narrowly escaping death 4) Landing the lowly job of a shepherd in a foreign land. 5) Being called out by God! THE one true God to represent the ” I Am” to the people. 6) Finally to represent his people, Israel, to Pharaoh which led to a whole series of plagues that devastated Egypt and threatened every part of their lives.
On the eve of the 10th plague and most horrific punishment that befell Egypt, God instructs His people to begin a new tradition. It’s a very special time of remembering, celebrating, and reflecting upon the Grace and provision of God. It’s called the Passover.
There are many lessons that I can apply to my life surrounding the Passover but I’m going to talk about three of them.
First: In Exodus 3:7 God tells Moses “I have heard their [Israelites] cry” in the misery of their captivity and in Chapter 12 God is preparing the way for their escape, but first He will “execute judgements” (Exodus 12:12ESV) and in other translations “I will bring judgement on the gods of Egypt”.
As a side note: That is a strange way to punish, or is it? In this culture, there were many gods. Most of them were representative or in some cases they felt that the animals themselves were the reincarnation of the gods. Killing the firstborn of all of these animals would have been a direct hit to their whole belief system. Not only is each family mourning the loss of their firstborn son which represents their future, but all of their gods are also shut down!! How can you kill something that is sacred? Not just one thing, but dozens upon dozens of gods that are represented by the sacred animals. All of that to say.
God hears. Keep praying.
Just when you think God is not paying attention, He hears. And when His time is right He is going to respond in such a miraculous way that will rescue you and exalt Him to the position He deserves. So do not give up crying out to God. He will answer and He will answer in a big way.
Second: Verse 13 goes on to explain the instructions for His people. They are going to take the life of a lamb. (Don’t miss the obvious reference to the coming Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world.) They are going to use the blood to cover the frame of their doors in their homes. This is the sign, the sign that they are covered in protection against the coming judgment in Egypt.
God sees. Keep showing.
The blood was an outward sign that expressed an inward devotion and desire to be identified with God. They really had no idea what was ahead, but at this moment in time, they just trusted God enough to obey. As a result not only did God see but all of Egypt saw. All of humanity that has read or heard this story has also seen. What are we showing? And who are we going to show?
Third: Verse 14 directs them to remember this event by celebrating it each year. It is a memorial to the God of creation who rescued His people. The angel of death passed over each home displaying the sign of protection and deliverance. Not only were they asked to commemorate this day but to teach their kids to do the same thing. From now on, celebrate your God.
God gives. Keep celebrating!
The Passover festival is still celebrated to this day in Israel. I am so thankful for the gift of holidays that signify something very special. It gives me an opportunity to look back and remember what has been done. I can do that as I take communion. (Don’t forget that Jesus was sharing this very same Passover meal with the disciples when He emphasized the significance of the cup and the bread that should be done in remembrance of the sacrifice He was about to make.) I can also do that every year at Easter, remembering the whole passion week leading up to His resurrection. How about Christmas? Every year it is a reminder of God’s plan to bring The One and Only Savior into the world so that my sins could be forgiven once and for all.
Praying, showing, and celebrating is something we can practice every day; to honor the God that hears, the God that sees, and the God that gives.
