Hi all,
Wow, it's a snowy night in PA with like 7 inches or more on the ground. Anyway, in the warmth of my house, I am sitting down to do my pastoral tasks for the night... so here we go.
1) The Passover Scene: The blood on the doorpost was a sign for the Angel of Death to "Pass over" the houses of the faithful Israelites. There is a great deal here that describes this ancient tradition and I encourage you to read this slowly and contemplate what is happening and the tradition established for the people of Israel. Although Christians do not generally observe the Passover as such, they do tend to celebrate Holy Week around the same time, since Jesus was crucified around the time of the Passover. They eat the sacred Eucharist, which was first celebrated during the Passover meal on Maundy Thursday. Yet, theologically, there is drawn a connection between this event and the events of Jesus' death and resurrection; there is a connection between the death of Christ (the Lamb of God), whose blood was shed, and the ancient passover practice. The Easter Vigil service always includes the story of the Passover as one of the readings, showing that just as all these events happened, this pointed forward to the time when the blood of Christ would save His people from death, deliver them from bondage to sin, and lead them through the waters of judgment to new life. The ancient hymn used at this service, the Exultet, says of this:
"This is our passover feast, when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers. This is the night when first you saved our fathers: you freed the people of Israel from their slavery and led them dry-shod through the sea. This is the night when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin! This is the night when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement are restored to grace and grow together in holiness. This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave."
2) Pillar of Cloud by Day ... Pillar of Fire by night - I really love this symbolism. When we use the Paschal candle in worship, it signifies that our Lord is a pillar of fire who leads us from death to resurrection. This passage is, in part, the place from which we draw this symbolism. I think it is just a neat image of our God, the all consuming fire, leading his people along in procession into the Promised Land.
3) The People Are Led Across the Sea on Dry Land - from the old life into the new. From slavery to freedom. All by the hand of God's grace. It is a type picked up in the New Testament, for sure, of the life we now live in Jesus Christ.
4) But... the people complain! Haha, what else is new. Even in the midst of their promised deliverance, they look back and are afraid of Pharaoh's army! Yet, all the while God is leading them along. How often do we, surrounded by blessings and God's presence/calling in our lives, shrink back in fear at the sight of what seems to weigh heavy against us?
5) The Song of Miriam and Moses - When the people of Israel had been delivered, they sang to God in praise. I love this particular scene in the "Prince of Egypt," when the children and all the people sing in Hebrew: " I will sing to the lord for he has triumphed gloriously, I will sing to the lord for he has triumphed gloriously! Who is like You, oh Lord, among the heavens? Who is like You, majestic in holiness? In Your Love, You lead the people You redeemed, In Your Love, You lead the people You redeemed!" (you can find that clip here). Although we may have found some of the things we've read this far puzzling, strange and even troubling, what amazes me is that God is bringing about His purposes, delivering His people from oppression and bondage to a place of freedom to serve Him. I'm amazed that even when God's people are enslaved to powers and principalities of evil, and under the oppression of tyranny, even in bondage to sin, God works to deliver his people and to lead them back to the Promised Land by His presence. And this He does even in our own lives through Jesus Christ!
By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; until Your people pass over, O LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, The place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
Have a great evening!
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
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