FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Exodus 13:1-16
Deuteronomy 6:20-23

“… that the LORD’s law
may be in thy mouth.”

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

The LORD instructed the people through Moses that all the first-born of man and beast were to be sanctified, i.e. set apart, unto Him. Also, in the Promised Land, they must continue to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the month Abib (later called Nisan).

The intention was that they may “remember this day” (Exod 13:3, cf. Exod 12:14), to “shew thy son” (Exod 13:8), as “a sign unto thee … for a memorial” (Exod 13:9), and to have an answer “when thy son asketh thee … what is this?” (Exod 13:14), and “for a token.” As they refrained from leaven, they must remember the day He brought them out of slavery and Egypt by His power alone. And it was He who would give them the Promised Land. As they redeemed the first born, they must remember God sparing their first born and not the Egyptians’ at the first Passover, and His redeeming them out of Egypt. Even before entering the Promised Land, the LORD wanted them to set up reminders. We are forgetful people. It is sad to think how easily we forget even great deliverance and help from God. We need constant reminders, so in the New Testament the Lord instituted the Holy Communion (replacing the Passover) in remembrance of His broken body and shed blood. The LORD also reminded them to teach their children. Parents must constantly teach the story of redemption and the LORD’s goodness and faithfulness to their children. This is so that they will come to know who the LORD God is and come to trust in, worship, and serve Him one day too. This is primarily the role of parents, not Sunday School teachers. Parents must know God’s Word well to teach their children, and back up their teaching with a life of obedience. Otherwise, partaking of the Holy Communion, speaking against sin, teaching about God’s power and faithfulness will all be empty and hollow. We must remember, and we must teach our children to remember.

THOUGHT: The LORD wanted Israel to remember what He did.
PRAYER: LORD, help me to always remember how and why Thou hast redeemed me.