Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will strike Pharaoh and the land of Egypt with one more blow. After that, Pharaoh will let you leave this country. In fact, he will be so eager to get rid of you that he will force you all to leave. [Exodus 11.1]
And thus begins the first Passover... right?
It occurred to me today that maybe the first Passover did not begin on this day... Perhaps it actually began fourteen days earlier when Yahweh (the LORD) instructed Moses that this particular month was to be the first of their year and that, ten days into it, they were to select a lamb or young goat for sacrifice. Then, on the fourteenth day, that animal was to be sacrificed and eaten. The blood of the animal was to be smeared on the top and sides of their door frames. Also, they were to be fully dressed and 'ready to go.'
What I am saying is that it seems to me Israel had been preparing for this night as many as fourteen days earlier even though the events with Pharaoh were just occurring!
Somehow, I get the idea that God was giving His people a clue in advance!
My mind is racing with all the possibilities here for what God is saying to His followers!
One thing that stands out is that even though I do not see deliverance, I should still prepare for it! That is precisely what Israel did.
I find it interesting that this exodus was to be memorialized. In other words, there was a ceremony attached to it. And, even though the ceremony was to memorialize the event, the outcome of the event would have been entirely different without the ceremony.
This brings up a question for us today: do we observe any ceremonies that have both backward and forward-looking meaning? One comes to mind - communion.
Wow, I can't even focus right now with all that is running through my mind along these lines...
Father, I am so grateful to You for the way You have everything worked out. Regardless what I can see coming, You know what is coming and You know how to prepare me for it - even if it is through observance of a ceremony...
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