We are living in days when even Christians do not seem to realize the awfulness of sin. It is looked upon very lightly, but if we had been in the homes of one of those Israelites on that Passover night, no doubt a deep feeling of solemnity would have come over us. Terrible plagues had been falling on Egypt, and that night the destroying angel was to pass through and slay the firstborn in every home where the blood had not been sprinkled. The doors were shut and the solemnity of death was felt. While they could and did enjoy the roast lamb, the unleavened bread was not a tasty food, and certainly the bitter herbs were not very pleasant to eat. They were also a hated people, expecting to leave Egypt at any moment. Their loins were girded and each had his staff in his hand while they ate in haste. They were not indulging in Egypt’s pleasures, and their staff represented dependence and readiness for the journey to Canaan. The reason they ate it in haste was because they were not to be time wasters. Life is very short and it is easy just to waste our time until we find that the best of our life is gone — spent for self. We may well consider the following quote as we think of wasted time in our lives.
“Lost, one golden hour, somewhere between sunrise and sunset; set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for it is gone forever.”
The Remembrance Feast
A few more remarks might be fitting at this time, too. The Passover pointed on to the cross; the Lord’s supper looks back to it. A still deeper solemnity should characterize our coming together to remember the Lord in His death than the solemnity in the observance of the Passover by the Israelites. There should not be any lightness on such occasions, but instead, that which was seen in type in the Passover should be felt in its full reality at the Lord’s table. How unbecoming at such a time to see the world in its fashion, its ways, and its light talk. Sometimes we find that the remembrance feast is followed by the making of plans to spend the remainder of the day for one’s own pleasure! Let us take to heart that word, “[Let] none of you go out at the door of his house until the morning.” With the Israelites it was a literal thing, but for us it would mean that we are to be a people truly separated unto the Lord.
Five Lessons
How we long to find these things more definitely seen among the people of God. First, let us think of (feed on) Christ as the One who bore the full judgment of God against sin. Second, we should separate from all that is evil (the unleavened bread). Third we need a deep sense of what our sins cost the Lord (the bitter herbs). Fourth, they were to have girded loins, for the desires and affections of the natural man were to be kept under control. Finally, each one was to have his staff in hand and his shoes on his feet while he ate the Passover in haste. Our privilege of remembering the Lord in His death is only until He comes. May we be watching and waiting for Him, and not be found on the streets of this Egypt-world when the marching orders are given in the “morning.”
Further Meditation
1. What is the important lesson for us from the expression “eat it in haste” (ch. 12:11)?
2. How does the Apostle Paul warn against time wasters?
3. Many symbols from Scripture are defined simply in the Concise Bible Dictionary by G. A. Morrish.