Egyptian Sojourn 13: Always Remember

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The last Egypt post was too "full", I think. So I want to back up a bit to reiterate a point that I think is key to understanding what God was doing here. Actually, I think it is key to understanding what He is doing today....but I don't want to run ahead of myself.

As He led them out, God gave some instructions to the Hebrews concerning certain customs that they were to observe. Namely, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Salvation from God's judgment and removal of sin. Not exactly the same thing--but undeniably interconnected.

And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, This is because of what Jehovah did for me when I came out from Egypt. And it shall be a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Jehovah's Law may be in your mouth. For the Lord has brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand. You shall therefore keep this law in its season from year to year. Exodus 13:9-10 (MKJV)

So, "What did God do?" and "Of what is this sign a mark?" Answer to question #2 is probably easier to answer I think. Craig pointed out that the sign on the hand would have been one of ownership. The memorial (I think) is that the religious observances themselves would be a visible reminder--so the parents would have opportunity to tell their children and grandchildren about God's miraculous intervention on their behalf. He wanted them to remember.

BUT, REMEMBER WHAT? It appears that, by the time Jesus arrived on the scene, "something" of this meaning had been lost. Or perhaps not yet revealed.

I think the answer is twofold:

They set out from Ram'eses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the passover the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their first-born, whom the LORD had struck down among them; upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. Numbers 33:3-4

And

And now go, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10

And He said, I will be with you. And this shall be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain. Exodus 3:12

And it shall be for a token upon your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes. For Jehovah brought us out from Egypt by strength of His hand. Exodus 13:16

And Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, At evening, then you shall know that Jehovah has brought you out from the land of Egypt. Exodus 16:6

When Israel was a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt. (Mark this!!!)Hosea 11:1

And he was there until the death of Herod; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the LORD through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called My Son." Matthew 2:15 (When Herod went on a murderous, fear-driven rampage and Joseph was given instruction to hide in Egypt with Mary and Jesus until it was safe to return. Refers back to Hosea 11:1)

So, what God did was:

1. Administer justice. Against the false gods of Egypt and those who served them.

2. Affect deliverance of "the sons of Israel", which also were physical descendants that were promised by God to elderly Abraham. In turn,this foretells an event in the life of the promised Messiah. Jesus was the promised Son and heir to His Father's inheritance. God was acknowledging "Israel" as His son.

The Irsaelites were not only to remember what God did---but Who He is to them. Their nation represented the family relationship of the children of promise. The children of promise are God's children who are united to Him through His Son, Christ Jesus. They were supposed to remember.

I can't express with words how excited I am to be able to see that because it has changed the way I read everything in the Bible.

I need to stop here and will hopefully get back to this topic very soon. I recently found an interesting piece on Egypt and, after reading it, want to dive into the whole series. But I need to finish my own homework first. Don't want to inadvertently plagiarize, so I'm highly motivated to press on.