Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Friday after Septuagesima

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Exodus 12:29-42 (NKJV)

29 And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”

33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

Devotions

In light of the amazing event that was unfolding before their very eyes on that night, the idea of enriching themselves with the treasures of the Egyptians before leaving the land was not on the minds of the children of Israel. In fact, the Israelites had not even made the basic provisions for the journey that they were beginning on that very night. Even the bread in their kneading bowls remained without leaven. None of these things mattered much to them, however. What really mattered was taking part in the amazing event that God was performing: Israel’s True King was leading His subjects out of the servitude of Egypt, and it was time to go with Him.

Yet, to bestow blessing upon blessing to His children, the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Even as the vast multitude of Israel was making its way out of Egypt in the middle of the night, God directed the children of Israel to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold as well as clothing, which the Egyptians gave willingly. By the additional gifts that God graciously provided to His people even while He was giving the greater gift of deliverance, God was teaching His people of a most vital truth: attend to the things that really matter, and the Lord would attend to the rest. He provides all things—spiritual and physical, great and small—that His people need.

It is the same for you. As Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

We pray: You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Make me to ever put my trust in You. Amen.

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