Prepare: Do you approach God with a sense of awe or treat Him casually like a cosmic chum?
Read: Exodus 12:21-36
It is a sudden shock to eat unleavened bread for seven days, when you are used to eating soft bread. Top it with a penalty for failing to comply! That raises questions.These questions prodded their faith and established their salvation history. It gave the elders an opportunity to teach the next generation, the reasons for faith. What counter-trend mechanisms are there in out lifestyles that raise questions that will lead others to faith? Peter says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason fir the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)".
The next drama is the death of the first-born in the whole of Egypt. This selective death marked the distinction between an epidemic (which affects all) and judgement (which is selectively targeted). It challenged the divinity of Pharaoh. And Pharaoh himself is confronted with the fact that he is not divine though he is worshipped in Egypt. Out of morbid fear, he releases the slaves but he also asks Moses to bless him! Imagine that! For the first time Pharaoh realizes the true source of all blessing. Compare this event with Ex. 5:2 and you'll notice how his attitude drastically changed.
The inescapable core of today's reading that security comes from doing everything that the Lord has commanded.
Respond: What steps have you taken to make sure that you have done everything that the Lord has commanded (28)?
Read: Exodus 12:21-36
It is a sudden shock to eat unleavened bread for seven days, when you are used to eating soft bread. Top it with a penalty for failing to comply! That raises questions.These questions prodded their faith and established their salvation history. It gave the elders an opportunity to teach the next generation, the reasons for faith. What counter-trend mechanisms are there in out lifestyles that raise questions that will lead others to faith? Peter says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason fir the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)".
The next drama is the death of the first-born in the whole of Egypt. This selective death marked the distinction between an epidemic (which affects all) and judgement (which is selectively targeted). It challenged the divinity of Pharaoh. And Pharaoh himself is confronted with the fact that he is not divine though he is worshipped in Egypt. Out of morbid fear, he releases the slaves but he also asks Moses to bless him! Imagine that! For the first time Pharaoh realizes the true source of all blessing. Compare this event with Ex. 5:2 and you'll notice how his attitude drastically changed.
The inescapable core of today's reading that security comes from doing everything that the Lord has commanded.
Respond: What steps have you taken to make sure that you have done everything that the Lord has commanded (28)?
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