Exodus 12: Independence Day
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn- both men and animals- and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
God used ten plagues as a form of warfare against the gods of Egypt. Some scholars see in each individual punishment an attack against a specific Egyptian idol. For example, they believe the plague on the Nile River opposed the Egyptian's river god while the plague of darkness attacked the sun-god Ra. Exodus 7-12 depicts in graphic detail ten cataclysmic plagues on Egypt. (infestations of frogs, gnats, flies, boils, hail, locusts, etc...) The Bible does not concern itself with the question of how these natural phenomena occurred; it merely affirms an unprecedented display of God's power. And, this cosmic showdown has one clear goal: to liberate the Hebrew slaves.
The Jewish race trace their cultural birthday back to the 10th plague- the death of every first-born son of Egypt. During one last dark, foreboding night in Egypt, families huddled around the Passover table, their bags packed, and awaited for deliverance. The mark of the lamb's blood on their door frames signaled their salvation. With this last plague, the Pharaoh and all of Egypt became so convinced of God's power that they let thousands of slaves leave- with the wealth of Egypt showered upon them as farewell presents. The Israelites marched out behind Moses toward a desert and a new life.
Life Question: How does your church's celebration of the Eucharist resemble the Jewish Passover?
Years later, Passover would take on an even broader significance. As thousands of Jews were bringing their choice lambs to Jerusalem, one man, Jesus Christ, was selected as the Passover lamb for all humanity. Jesus' last passover meal on earth- the Last Supper- memorialized not only a time of pain and bloodshed, but also a time of freedom and deliverance. It is this event that we celebrate at church when we participate in communion services.
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn- both men and animals- and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
God used ten plagues as a form of warfare against the gods of Egypt. Some scholars see in each individual punishment an attack against a specific Egyptian idol. For example, they believe the plague on the Nile River opposed the Egyptian's river god while the plague of darkness attacked the sun-god Ra. Exodus 7-12 depicts in graphic detail ten cataclysmic plagues on Egypt. (infestations of frogs, gnats, flies, boils, hail, locusts, etc...) The Bible does not concern itself with the question of how these natural phenomena occurred; it merely affirms an unprecedented display of God's power. And, this cosmic showdown has one clear goal: to liberate the Hebrew slaves.
The Jewish race trace their cultural birthday back to the 10th plague- the death of every first-born son of Egypt. During one last dark, foreboding night in Egypt, families huddled around the Passover table, their bags packed, and awaited for deliverance. The mark of the lamb's blood on their door frames signaled their salvation. With this last plague, the Pharaoh and all of Egypt became so convinced of God's power that they let thousands of slaves leave- with the wealth of Egypt showered upon them as farewell presents. The Israelites marched out behind Moses toward a desert and a new life.
Life Question: How does your church's celebration of the Eucharist resemble the Jewish Passover?
Years later, Passover would take on an even broader significance. As thousands of Jews were bringing their choice lambs to Jerusalem, one man, Jesus Christ, was selected as the Passover lamb for all humanity. Jesus' last passover meal on earth- the Last Supper- memorialized not only a time of pain and bloodshed, but also a time of freedom and deliverance. It is this event that we celebrate at church when we participate in communion services.
1 comment:
The Lord's Supper was given new meaning when Jesus provided His Body and His Blood as a once-for-all sacrifice. One time for all who receive the free gift. He has set things right for all who trust in this. The Jewish tradition which was repeated yearly pictured what Christ would do once for all at the cross. That day He was both Priest and Sacrifice. He is now the King of all who trust is His Eternal Sacrifice. The Bread and Cup is now a memorial for all believers who hold this as the foundation of their faith.
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