Exodus 13 - 6.26.26
Scripture: Exodus 13: 3-10
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. 5 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.
Observation:
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt after bringing 10 plagues on the Egyptians while keeping Israel safe. He commands the Israelites to remember yearly how they were brought out of slavery. His mighty hand rescued them to bring them into promised land flowing with milk and honey. I looked up the significance of milk and honey. From the Bible Odyssey, “Milk symbolizes sustenance, everyday nourishment, and livestock fertility. Because cows and goats require lush pastures and clean water to produce milk, it signifies a healthy, supportive environment. Honey (often derived from dates, figs, or bees) requires vast expanses of blooming flora. It represents luxury, sweetness, and the rich delights of life. Together, they represent total provision, showing that both the necessities and joys of life are available in excess.” Wow, God was bringing them out of slavery into total provision! He instructed them to remember yearly with a ceremony that begins on the exact day they left from Egypt and lasts for 7 days. They are not to have any yeast to eat or even in their houses. Yeast brings about change when added to food. It is often referred to in the Bible and can be good or bad. Many times yeast or leaven refers to sin. What great symbolism, to empty your house of “sin” before you enter into a celebration of remembering what God has brought you out of.
They were commanded to celebrate before they entered the promised land. We need to have faith and realize as God brings us out of bondage we may not immediately enter into all He has promised. It is a journey.
This tradition is to be explained to future generations to remember and always keep the law of the Lord on their lips.
Application:
God is in the business of breaking bondages and releasing slaves. The most important thing He frees us from is sin. Jesus commissioned us to go and make disciples. God set in place times of remembering all He has done. This is important for us to remember today. While we may not all celebrate Passover, Christmas and Easter have become important times of year to commemorate all God has done to redeem us.
We are still in the world and there are times “things” can put us in bondage. I need to seek His release from areas I feel stuck realizing He has a land flowing with “Milk and Honey,” total provision for me. Getting to the promise land is a journey. There will be obstacles. I need to rely on God and trust him as I walk through dry places. I need to seek Him first and recognize His hand. As I delight in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart, Psalm 37:4.
God wants me to remember and honor His law not forgetting that it is He who brought me out and provided for me. It is not my own doing. I need to share His goodness and provision with generations to follow.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that you bring us out from the things that bind us. We have an enemy who is real and fights against us to keep us from waking in the truth and your plan for our lives. Please help me remember daily your provision for me and seek your plan. Forgive me for times I get distracted and worry about what’s next or just shut down. Help me fix my eyes on you, knowing You and your love are enough. You provided a cloud and pillar of fire for the children of Israel. Today you have given us the Holy Spirit. Thank you that we can walk in the lens of hope and not dismay. You have good things ahead. Keep me walking on the right path as I journey to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. When I get there keep me focused on who you are and realize the journey is not done. There are many people, including myself, to show the way and new ways to become more like you. Thank you for walking with me each step of the way. Amen
- Cindy Howard
