430 years to the day that they arrived in Egypt, the Israelites left it. The Bible says it was a "night of watching" that the Lord brought them out of Egypt safely, not only Israelites but a mixed multitude. The past several weeks had convinced others to abandon (or escape, either one) along with the captive slaves. Eventually, however, this multitude, which will come to be called the "rabble", will be a thorn in Israel's side; at least some among the multitude.
For now, the Lord has instituted the Passover Feast as a rememberance for these days and the amazing journey the Lord will take Israel through to leave Egypt, and not only Egypt but Egyptian influences behind. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, even to this day, are celebrated and the story of the Exodus and its miracles are retold. Throughout Jewish culture and religious practice, commemorative practices like the Passover and the Feast are instituted to remind the Israelite of of God's goodness to them. When they enter the Land, they erect remembrance stones as a reminder of how they came to the Promised Land. Eventually, even religious and cultural dress will have symbolic meanings to remind the people of what God has done and all they have been through.
Sometimes I wonder if we could use a little more of that in every day life. Of course, it would be easy to take a ritual or tradition and just make it a ritual or tradition, void of what it was designed to remind us (Christmas, anyone?). But how often does God do incredible and mighty things in our lives, and yet we do little to stop and thank Him, let alone make it a practice of remembering it? Some of the Psalms are histories to remind Israel of the blessings God had bestowed on them, of all the wonderful things that He did. Would it do us good, as well, to have something to remind us of all He has given to us? We have communion, and we should definitely use it as an opportunity to reflect and to give thanks. But what more could we do? Even individually? One thing that I did this past New Year's, as it was my anniversary, was to give a prayer of thanks for my husband and our marriage. It's a bit of a blur, because we were still in the adjustment period of having a baby, and I was still sleeping only a few hours a night, but I think we even prayed together. I intend to do it every year, that an important focus for our anniversary is to recognize God's blessings in our marriage and to thank Him for preserving and growing our marriage. But what other things could we do? Look around at your own life. What could you do?
Tomorrow's Reading: Exodus 13:17-14:31
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