Eat and Run
God is not arbitrary. He doesn’t speak randomly or give commandments absent-mindedly. Every word has intention. In fact, intentionality in our speech is so important that Jesus told us in Matthew 12:36 God will judge every “idle word.” Why? Because idle words do not reflect the character of God. He doesn’t speak idly, but purposefully.
Therefore, every detail of Passover is significant. Exodus 12 is a treasury of insight and revelation. From the month of the year to the day of the week to the process of preparation to the ensuing feast––all of it has purpose. However, rather than trying to bite off more than we can chew in one devotional, let’s look at just one detail.
“And thus you shall eat [the lamb]; with a belt on our waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste . . .” (Exodus 12:11).
Years ago, I heard Pastor Casey Doss preach a message about this verse, and I want to summarize some of it. God instructs the children of Israel to eat in a peculiar way. Rather than eating reclined at table, enjoying their meal, He tells them to eat with their belt, sandals, and staff in place, as though they are about to leave. He tells them in eat “in haste.”
Why?
Of course, in hindsight, it’s easy to know why. They are about to leave Egypt so quickly that they will not have time to prepare themselves and pack. God will do such a “suddenly” that they will need to eat expectantly, ready for it to happen. Like I mentioned, in hindsight it is easy to see this. However, think about it from Israel’s perspective. You have been waiting for years, groaning in slavery. Now, God tells you to eat your dinner quickly because deliverance will happen faster than you can imagine. It took a large amount of faith to obey God in this Passover detail!
What is the application for us?
At times, it’s easy to recline and get comfortable in certain areas because of how long we’ve been waiting on a miracle to happen. What if this Passover, though, God’s telling you to shake yourself? What if He wants to act in a way that your natural mind can not comprehend? Would you be ready for that?
Here are some further questions you can ask yourself as you process Exodus 12: Where am I comfortable when I should be expectant? Where am I unprepared if God moved suddenly? What steps do I need to take in order to be ready for a quick deliverance?
Israel obeyed God by eating in haste, and they walked out of Egypt. What will God do in us as we bring our expectation into alignment with His will?