Do you like History? (Exo 1-2)

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. ¹⁰ Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” ¹¹ Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. 

As a kid growing up I hated History, what was the use for dates and events...I asked the "so what question" in order to connect History's significance to my current existence. Some say a good History teacher is able to connect those dots so that we see how our whole existence from our culture, government, language to our faith or values are tied to History. From the History we learn in our schools to that which looms in the structures of our family home, they all tell a Story that informs our today.

Studying the pages of History has great reward

The Books of History

The book of Exodus opens with this incredible story of a King who needed a good History lesson. Joseph the big hero of Egypt's history is forgotten several generations later by this King, "Who did not know Joseph", and because of his inability to connect the dots of History to his current survival, he established slavery in his land over the people whose descendants generations before had saved the lives of all of Egypt, how stupid is that?

How quickly we forget the things of the past, the victories won or the lessons we have been taught. How can we cultivate within our lives or in our families the culture of "Remembrance"? How can we intentional connect the dots of History from generation to generation so that it may never be said of us that..."we did not remember?".

I suggest we learn from the Jewish people.....

who celebrate feasts today to remember critical events in their history some of which took place over 3000 years ago as God had asked them to do. God as a good teacher and Father institutes specific feasts among the Jewish people to help them remember and teach their children about His powerful hand of deliverance and blessing through their history and His faithfulness to them forever. These feasts were to be a rehearsal of Israel's History and her future with God (Lev 23: 4, Numb 10:10, Deu 6:4-9).
Some of them include-http://www.menorahministries.com/Scriptorium/MeaningOfHolidays.htm;

Passover (Pesach,Feast of unleavened bread and Celebration of First Fruits)-Remembering how God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exo 12, Lev 23:4-5)

Shuvout (Pentecost or feast of weeks)-Remembering the giving of the law at Mount Sinai and God's faithfulness from moving Israel from Slavery to freedom (Exo 20, Lev 23:15-22)

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)-The day of remembrance and Memorial of the blowing of the trumpets celebrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, His righteousness and justice (Lev 23:23-25)

Hanukah-Maccabees Victory 165 B.C, a miraculous victory which led to the clensing and redecication of the Temple after Syrian ruler Antiochus defile it and turned it into a Heathen shrine.

Yom Kipur-The most solemn day, a time of introspection and repentance.Remembering the "substitute sacrifice" that is killed for the forgiveness of the sins of the people (Lev23:26-32)

Purim-Remembering God's deliverance of the Jews in the land of Persia through the hands of Esther the queen from Haman the Agagite (Esth 9-10).

Shabbat-A day of rest remembering that God rested from all His work on the 7th day and God commanded Israel to rest from all their work as well (Exo 31:15-17)

So just like the Jewish people today use feasts to re-tell their history and glean comfort and hope for the future, you too should find a way to chronicle your own journey with God. You will be encouraged by God's faithfulness through history in light of your current situation. As I spring this challenge to you, my hope is that you draw strength as you recall His blessings past in your life and glean hope for a great bright future in God's economy. Like the Jewish People may you see through their feasts that God will cause everything to happen just like He has revealed in the words of the Bible even though it currently seems unlikely. Like the Jewish people today, pass these words on to your children, pass on the His-Story of God's Plan, His Love, faithfulness and deliverance so that you and generations to come may glean comfort for the soul. Meditate on the Shema the first lesson every Orthodox Jew receives, affirming Judiasm and their faith in God.

The Shema (Deu 6:4-9)

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates

.....For more on the current Jewish feast and their Historical relevance to the present and future of the world watch these Youtube videos from "Day of Discovery" the makers of Our Daily Bread, Mart De Haan and Jimmy DeYoung. Detail Video - The Holidays of God, Summary Video - Jesus Christ's Fulfillment of the feasts

and learn from the Christian sacrament called Communion

I leave you with this song that captures the reason why Christians like the Jewish people the world over remember the greatest love sacrifice ever made for the most despicable human being...Me and You. Communion reminds us that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ and died in your place and mine satisfying the death penalty due to me (Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23). Allowing you who believes to receive the perfect righteousness of God. This sacrifice also reconciles your broken relationship with God and declares you fit to receive eternal life from His hand (Rom 5:6-10, Eph 2:13). If you believe this you are of all men most comforted.
...until next time, Read, Share and Be Comforted.
The Communion Song (For slower internet connection use this link)