Exodus 12:21-28
Verses 26-27 "And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.
The time had come to act upon all they had been told to do. They had heard the details and now had to obey. One detail made clear as they were sent out to find the needed animal was how they had to make sure the entire family stayed in the marked home to remain safe. This event was going to take place at night and they were not to leave their home until morning. They didn’t know the exact time it would take place but were given a window of time to stay put. Remember they were to remain fully clothed, including their shoes, so they may not have been sleeping.
The mix of anxiety and excitement may have kept some of them awake. This evening may have been confusing for the young members of the family. Especially in the homes where multiple families were together in one home, the children would have had questions about what was going on. Though the parents were experiencing it for the first time themselves they would have done their best to explain what Moses had told them God had commanded.
This moment for teaching was purposeful on God’s part. They were going to be experiencing it together as a family leading to an opportunity for further discussions about what God is doing. In fact God was instructing them to tell the children what was going on yearly. It was just as important for the adults to remember the how’s, when’s and why’s of this night. God was keeping His promise to earlier generations and was showing the people His will for His people.
Their response to the telling of what God was doing was worship. They had come to understand this experience wasn’t about them, it was about God. God wanted them to focus on what was really going on. He was showing His power to His people and reminding them what had been His plan for them all along.
We have the benefit of reading all the amazing things He has done over the years, but knowing them doesn’t mean anything if we are not sharing them with our children. They need to hear how God has worked out details in our lives and how He has called us to be His people.
Making It Personal
How intentional are you at sharing what God has done with the children in your life? Do you only share what the Bible says or what He has done in your life? What has He done in you which needs to be shared?
Making It Personal Kids
How much do you like hearing about the things Jesus has done? Do you know of things Jesus has done since Bible times? Do you know of some things Jesus has done in your life?
Closing Prayer
Father, You do more in our lives than we can ever grasp. You have worked for Your people throughout time and will never stop. Give us eyes to see Your work and hearts which long to share all You do with others, especially our children. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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