A Night to Remember

The last few weeks had been filled with much anxiety. What had initially seemed like such an innocent declaration had become a scene where tensions were stretched to the breaking point. Leaders on both sides of the argument resolutely held their ground, with neither side conceding defeat. Suddenly it all came down to a one-night showdown. Who would be the victor? How would the people respond?

Many of you are thinking about the events surrounding the late Sunday night passage of the Health Care Reform Bill by the House of Representatives. And it would be easy to come to such a conclusion. But, what if I told you that I was not describing a scene from the modern day, but one from the ancient world? For what I have described fits the biblical account leading up to the night we know as Passover.

Moses' statement to Pharaoh seemed innocent enough: "Let the people of Israel go into the wilderness to worship their God." But that statement had the opposite effect upon Egypt's leader. Instead of granting Moses' request, the burdens of brick-making were increased upon the backs of the Hebrews. And thus the tug-of-war began between Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt versus Moses and the God of Israel. And what a contest it had been those past few months. Rivers turning into blood, swarms of frogs inundating the entire land, mosquitoes (I am from Minnesota - that is our state bird!) driving the people nuts with their buzzing and bites. Then there were thousands of cattle dying in the fields, crops being destroyed by hail and locusts leaving nothing edible - these alone left Egypt's economy devastated. Then came the long night of darkness that continued for three days. The nerves of the Egyptians were frayed, yet the Pharaoh continued to balk at that initial innocent request.

God now came to Moses and gave instructions for the people to pack all their belongings and prepare for a journey of a lifetime. But, before their were to leave, they were to have one final meal in Egypt. It was to be a night they would always remember. Lambs were killed. Blood was applied to the door frames of their homes. Bread, made without yeast, was quickly baked. And dinner was served. While the Hebrews ate, the angel of death hovered over the land of Egypt. He entered into every home that did not have blood applied to the door frames killing the firstborn. Hardly a home in Egypt was exempt from the anguished cries of mourning for the dead.

Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and told him to take the Hebrews and get out of the land before all Egypt was dead. When the smoke cleared, God had shown Himself to be more powerful than the pantheon of Egyptian gods.

Passover became one of the most important seasons of celebration for the Jewish people. This year the traditional celebration begins at sundown on Sunday, March 28. Families will gather to retell the story through a special meal. They will look back into the past, identifying with their ancestors who came out of Egypt. And they will look ahead into the future, anticipating the day when all shall be gathered once again in the land of Israel.

My friends, the great God who delivered Israel from the depths of despair in Egypt, is the same great God who is more than able to deliver you and me from the depths of despair we may have because of what is happening in our world. As Israel had to trust Him, so we must do also.

I know that most Gentiles are not accustomed to join in a Passover celebration. But, perhaps we should at least stop long enough to retell our story. We just might find a note of encouragement as we recall what God has done for us.