Meditate on God’s instructions to the Israelites just before the last plague that God brought on Pharaoh and Egypt. The plague of death.
"These are your
instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and
carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is
the LORD's Passover. On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and
strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt.
I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! But
the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you
are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will
not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each
year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special
festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time." Exodus
12:11-14
The sacrificial lamb for Passover
Death. You can’t escape it—unless it is the Angel of Death in Egypt…and you put lamb’s blood on your doorposts. That is just what God told the Israelites to do on that Passover. Sacrifice a lamb sprinkle it’s blood on your doorposts. Then eat the lamb roasted and be ready to leave Egypt. The Angel of Death passed over those homes with blood on the doorposts. Imagine the rejoicing of those of whom their first born were spared the death plague…and the heart wrenching sadness of those who were not chosen to be passed over.
Tonight at sunset Passover begins for this year. In Jewish homes there will be a great Passover or Seder Meal and service commemorating that first Passover. Typical foods include roasted lamb or chicken and vegetables, served with unleavened bread or matzoh; roasted eggs; bitter herbs like parsley served with salt water; maror or horseradish root, and charoset, which is a dish of apples, walnuts, cinnamon, honey and wine. They have traditional blessings, songs and scripture and liturgical Haggadah readings by family members and guests during the worship portion of the Seder. Worship—that is what the Seder is all about. Honoring God and recognizing what He did for them over three thousand years ago. That is a long time of remembering—but that is just what the Jewish people have done. Remember. There has been a history of rebellion and then coming back to the Lord for the Israelites over the centuries as recorded frequently in the Bible, and a rejection by some Jews of Jesus as their Messiah, but the Jews and many Christians still celebrate the Passover. Remember. That is just what God wanted His people to do. Remember. They are His chosen people and He rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He gave them the Promised Land…just as He had promised Abraham several hundred years before that Exodus. The promises of God are unending and unfailing. We can count on Him.
How is your relationship with God today? Do you see Him rescuing you from slavery to sin, temptation, death…or your own attitudes and ambitions, if they are rebellious to Him? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and read more about the plagues and exodus from Egypt in the book of Exodus today.
Prayer ~ Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for rescuing Your chosen people from slavery in Egypt…and for being the sacrificial lamb to take away my sins…and the sins of the world…on the cross. Your obedience is amazing and I am eternally grateful.
Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!" Psalm 40:16
Bible Trivia Question of the week: What does “Hosanna” mean? Used in Matthew 21:9 and John 12:13. Hosanna means “save now” and it was shouted by people as Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They were looking for a political leader to save them from Roman oppression—but Jesus was not to be their political savior, but their spiritual savior.
Bible Trivia for next week ~ Where was the first Passover celebrated and why?
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