WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? (10 OF 52)
Scripture: Exodus 12:19-28
This content is part of a series.
What Does This Mean? (10 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part three
Christopher B. Harbin
Exodus 12:19-28
It is easy to get caught up in our traditions. We do things because we have no memory of doing otherwise. We establish routines and forget why they were ever established. Why do we do what we do? What is the meaning behind our actions? What is important about our traditions? If we can't answer those questions, there is a deeper question we should ask. Why do we even bother with our traditions and routines in the first place?
Passover is preeminent among all Jewish festivals. It is the only feast day of the Hebrew Scriptures with a make-up date. It was important enough that if one were unable to participate they had the opportunity to celebrate it a month later. More than that, some texts indicate that one could not even be considered a Jew without participating in the Passover celebration. Other texts allow non-Jews who so desired to join the celebration of Yahweh's redemption of the nation from Egyptian bondage.
Today's passage is a strange hybrid text. Superficially, it purports to share God's instructions through Moses for the people who were to eat a meal in preparation for their flight from Egypt. It is also a set of instructions for those who would eat it in memory of that hurried meal and flight from Egypt. While it is couched in terms of history, it is a liturgical text, instructing generations to come, that they might mark off a festival day of celebration in memory of Yahweh redeeming a band of slaves from captivity to the ancient world's superpower.
It was an odd meal and an odd celebration. It is still practiced today, even by many who do not otherwise practice Judaism. Like Christmas, it is a celebration for the benefit of the children. Once the children are grown, many no longer take pains to carry out the elaborate preparations and activities for a proper Passover celebration. For others, it remains the core festival of Jewish identi ...
Series: Discipleship Part three
Christopher B. Harbin
Exodus 12:19-28
It is easy to get caught up in our traditions. We do things because we have no memory of doing otherwise. We establish routines and forget why they were ever established. Why do we do what we do? What is the meaning behind our actions? What is important about our traditions? If we can't answer those questions, there is a deeper question we should ask. Why do we even bother with our traditions and routines in the first place?
Passover is preeminent among all Jewish festivals. It is the only feast day of the Hebrew Scriptures with a make-up date. It was important enough that if one were unable to participate they had the opportunity to celebrate it a month later. More than that, some texts indicate that one could not even be considered a Jew without participating in the Passover celebration. Other texts allow non-Jews who so desired to join the celebration of Yahweh's redemption of the nation from Egyptian bondage.
Today's passage is a strange hybrid text. Superficially, it purports to share God's instructions through Moses for the people who were to eat a meal in preparation for their flight from Egypt. It is also a set of instructions for those who would eat it in memory of that hurried meal and flight from Egypt. While it is couched in terms of history, it is a liturgical text, instructing generations to come, that they might mark off a festival day of celebration in memory of Yahweh redeeming a band of slaves from captivity to the ancient world's superpower.
It was an odd meal and an odd celebration. It is still practiced today, even by many who do not otherwise practice Judaism. Like Christmas, it is a celebration for the benefit of the children. Once the children are grown, many no longer take pains to carry out the elaborate preparations and activities for a proper Passover celebration. For others, it remains the core festival of Jewish identi ...
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