Exodus 12-14:20

The Lord establishes a ritual that proves the salvation of the Israelites, as the spreading of the lamb's blood over their doors saved them from the tenth plague. Passover. "You must celebrate this day throughout your generations as a perpetual institution." The feast plays a central role in the Passion of Christ many generations later. The tenth plague is horrifying to me. So many of the Egyptians must have been good, innocent people--and yet this catastrophe befell them because their leader was obstinate and did not honor God's request. Losing a child seems incomprehensible to me. The wailing that broke out across Egypt echoes in Pharaoh's ears, as he summons Moses and Aaron and demands that they and the Israelites leave Egypt. And so they fled Egypt. "It is with a strong hand that the Lord brought you away." God does guide us with a strong hand--yet why is it that so often i cannot discern His Will anywhere? A paradox, I guess, at least for me. When Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea, the Israelites begin to grumble to Moses and Aaron. But Moses answers them, "Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today." I think God asks me to "fear not" often, and I should not be fearful because of the victory Jesus won for me.