Prepare for Departure

O.T. #161  "Prepare for Departure"
Nov. 4, 2013
Exodus 12-Part 1
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

LET IT GLOW

As a child, I never considered actually riding on an airplane. At that time, a regional airport was an hour away and an international airport was almost two hours away. (Due to modern highways, the time is cut in half now.) Planes flew over every now and then.
As an adult, though, I have made numerous trips by plane. Usually reservations were made a month in advance. I had several things to do in order to prepare for departure. The dirty dishes and clothes had to be cleaned; the mail held; feeding for my cats arranged; prescriptions needed to be purchased; all transportation arrangements made; not to mention the packing of clothes, cleaning out my purse, and restrictions for the carry on. Whew! Glad I'm not traveling this week. Don't get me wrong, I do like an adventurous journey. Maybe the Israelites' preparation was not as extensive as mine.


After 400 some years in a foreign land, the Israelites had to prepare for their departure from Egypt.
There must have been excitement in the air as they prepared the household items, animals, food. The LORD told Moses and Aaron what was to take place before their Exodus. He had it all planned out and for a purpose.

It is suggested that the tenth plague took place several days or weeks after Moses revealed God's plan. (Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary)

Also, it is suggested that the instructions on the Passover were given during the three days of darkness in order to fully prepare Israel for the grand finale, their Exodus from Egypt.
 (Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

This time was to be of utter importance to the Israelites and Jewish history. It (Passover) was to commemorate the beginning of the Jewish religious year. It comes in March or April, based on the moon's phases. (Falwell)

This month, the month of Abib (March/April), by divine decree, became the beginning of the religious calendar, marking the start of Israel's life as a nation. Later, while Israel was in the wilderness, Moses wrote detailed instructions for this very special feast day in Israel's religious calendar. (MacArthur)

This particular month was to be the first month of the Jewish year. We can see that time is significant to the LORD. Is it to us? How often do we give thanks for the birth and resurrection of our Savior? Or do we only wait until special celebrations?

LET IT GROW

Although the Passover was not celebrated until the fourteenth day, the lamb had to be observed for four days to make sure it had no blemishes. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says that "...Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." The Passover lamb typified Christ. Christ also had to be observed for four days in Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. During those four days He was tested and asked questions, but none could find fault with Him (Matt. 21:23-27; 22:15-22, 33-46). (Falwell)

This was new to me. We will get into the details of the Passover in our next post, so be sure to come back tomorrow.

Have you made preparation for your departure from this world? If you only had four days to get ready, what would you do, say, go?
Jesus knew the hour had come that He should depart from this world. (John 13:1)
Paul knew that the time of his departure was at hand. (2 Tim 4:6)
However, we don't always get to know when our departure from this world is.
Friend, are you ready to depart? Is Jesus your ticket to heaven? Works will not get you there.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Only faith in Jesus as the son of God, as God in the flesh, the Messiah, and confessing your sins to Jesus will you be saved. If you already have done this, I rejoice with you.

LET IT GO

Take time to think about eternity.

My preparation for departure from this world has already been made.

Be thankful for the grace of God, love of Jesus, and heaven awaiting.