As I wrote in my most recent blog, Telling Our Children His story…, I believe that the LORD instructed us to tell our children of all that He has done. It is important to tell them the stories of the past, in order for them to appreciate the present, and anticipate what He will do in the future.
During Passover, we tend to focus on the amazing story of deliverance of the entire community of Israel; however, there is something very interesting that we can find in this specific portion of the above scripture: “And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
I personally believe that this specific instruction has a prophetic element for us followers of the Messiah. Note that the Word here does not instruct us to tell our children what the Lord did for us, or our people (which is also important); instead, it instructs us to tell our children what the Lord has done for me, when I came out of slavery in Egypt (i.e., slavery to sin.)
What a wonderful opportunity to remind our children of the amazing story not only of the physical redemption of our people from slavery, but also to share our own personal story of spiritual redemption from sin.
During the past couple of years, I have had the honor to be the “Father” (Leader) of the “Seder” as the Jewish people remember the appointed time of the Passover. Just like last year, this year I chose to begin the Seder a little differently than the traditional way by reading the words of the Prophet Jeremiah:
“Therefore behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.” Jeremiah 16:14-15 (emphasis mine)
After reading these beautiful verses from God’s Word, I insert the word “here” in place of “coming” so that it reads: “Therefore behold, days are here…” (no, I am not changing, adding, or withdrawing any letter or stroke from His Living Word, but am just putting an important emphasis to make an important point…) The reality is that this prophecy is being fulfilled in our lifetime! We have the great honor to live in times where we witness the fulfillment of some of the greatest promises God ever made! Indeed, God has restored the sons of Israel to their own land which He gave to their fathers. And He continues to do so even to this day, with the number of Jewish people returning to Israel from the Nations increasing each month.
Part of God’s story in my own personal life is that, in Messiah Yeshua, my eyes were opened to acknowledge such a great miracle. Here I am today, a Jewish man, a follower of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jeremiah, living in the Land of Promise as a fulfillment of these instructions that the Lord made through Moses as the Children of Israel fled Egypt. I live in a day where I can tell my children my own personal exodus from slavery to freedom in Messiah Yeshua in the land of Israel! In short, I am a living testimony of God’s faithfulness to bring His people back to the land that He promised our forefathers.
What an honor it is to live in such a time as this! Yet, with great honor comes an even greater responsibility to share His story in each of our lives with others. What is His story in your life? Are you telling others?
Shabbat Shalom,
Moran
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One Comment on “A Living Testimony”
So true Moran! Thank you for sharing and reminding us! I too am excited about being here in these days as G_d has given me a testimony rich with His favor and love to share with my children and all whom G_d has for us to reach.
I look forward to His perfect timing of bringing me and my family back to Israel as well 🙂 !!!
G_d’s abundant blessings to you all,
Mary Schmitt