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Exodus 12: 31-42

So all that smack about"next time I see you, you die" and " I will never appear before you again"? It's empty posturing on both ends. Pharaoh summons Moe and Aaron in the middle of the night and says- just go- whatever you want, just go- but please bless me on your way out of town.

The Egyptians were behind the policy. If they stay, we'll all die!

The Israelites put their leaven-less dough on their shoulders and take the plunder they'd received, silver, gold, and clothing. God made the Egyptians like the Israelites, so when they asked for their stuff- they gave it away.

600,000 men plus women, children and cattle started the trek to Succoth. Apparently they were joined by even more people en route. I'm reminded of the enorminty of a cattle drive in westerns like Lonesome Dove- Gus and Call's whole outfit were nothing compared to this. This is like the state of Vermont walking together across the country and that's without most of the women, children or cattle. Truly an epic image.

Along the way they baked yeast-free cakes with their dough. As the staff in hand suggested, they had to leave in a hurry- this dough was a primary food source- they didn't have time to make more food.

They were in captivity 430 years to the day. I'm not sure why this number is significant- but it was exacly this long.

Moses tells us: "Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come" (NIV).

God seems to put importance on both remembering and celebrating. Although I don't come from Jewish lineage- the idea of honoring God's deliverance with a celebration is desirable to me. Not the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, but selfishly my own deliverance from my self-imposed shackles. Sharing communion should be this way, though it's often not. But I'm in favor of any excuse to loudly proclaim thanks to God in joyous ways- whether it's Christmas Day, Easter Morning, Sunday, or whatever. Remembering His gifts and celebrating His care is always in season. Yeast is optional.

And so the Exodus begins.