Why is it important to remember "the LORD brought you out of Egypt"? Setting the Scene “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” (Deuteronomy 5:15) What God Did in Egypt • Broke the power of Pharaoh through ten literal plagues (Exodus 7–12) • Opened the Red Sea, bringing Israel through on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22) • Destroyed the pursuing army, guaranteeing Israel’s freedom (Exodus 14:27-28) Why We’re Told to Remember • Identity: Israel’s national story begins with God’s rescue, not their own merit (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). • Gratitude: Deliverance fuels worship and thanksgiving (Psalm 105:1-5). • Obedience: Remembering motivates faithfulness to God’s commands (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). • Humility: Slavery-to-freedom keeps pride in check (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). • Hope: Past rescue guarantees present and future help (Psalm 77:11-15). How Remembrance Shapes Daily Life • Sabbath rest—Israel rests because God delivered them from relentless labor (Deuteronomy 5:14-15). • Justice—former slaves show compassion to the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 24:17-22). • Worship—annual feasts retell the Exodus (Exodus 12:14; Deuteronomy 16:1-3). • Parenting—each generation passes on the story (Exodus 13:8-10; Deuteronomy 6:20-23). Practical Ways to Keep the Memory Alive • Read the Exodus narrative regularly, aloud if possible. • Sing songs that recount God’s mighty acts (Exodus 15; Psalm 106). • Observe the Lord’s Supper, remembering the greater Exodus accomplished by Christ (Luke 22:19-20). • Share personal testimonies of God’s deliverance, linking them to the original redemption. Looking Ahead to Christ • The Passover lamb points to “Christ, our Passover lamb, [who] has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). • Just as Israel was freed from Egypt’s bondage, believers are freed from sin’s bondage: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). • Future deliverance is certain because the God who literally split the sea will “wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4). |
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