Exodus 12:33-42, Thoughts from Exodus (7)

In an earlier post (on Ex. 3:15) we noted the term “memorial,” speaking of the name YAHWEH, that it would be a memorial name throughout Israel’s generations.  In this verse there is a related noun (Heb. zikrown) used several times in Exodus.  It makes sense that in the beginning of the nation of Israel God would set forth some “memorials.”  Any entity, over the course of time, will stray from their foundational principles.  Memorials are a good idea.  Here is how the term is used in Exodus.

·       12:14: The day of Passover was a memorial throughout Israel’s generations.  Every celebration would remind them of God’s power, faithfulness and compassion in delivering them.  And, of course, it would be a picture of their salvation from sin.  (Note 12:42: This is that night of the LORD.)

·       13:9: The eating of unleavened bread (not only on Passover but during the 7-day feast that followed) was a sign and memorial reminding Israel how God cared for them.  Unleavened bread would not spoil as quick as bread with yeast, and Israel’s days between leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea would not give them opportunity to bake bread.

·       17:14: God delivered Israel from their first attack by a hostile enemy (other than Pharaoh and the Egyptian army).  The attack was from Amalek, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob/ Israel.  God wanted the account recorded in a book as a memorial, that He would always hold this against Amalek.  Literally it says that He will blot out the memorials of Amalek.  Israel’s memorials will stand through the generations; Amalek’s will not.

·       28:12: Aaron will have two memorials of the 12 tribes on his priestly clothing when he enters the Holy of Holies.  First, there will be two stones, one on each shoulder, with the names of the tribes engraved.  In this picture the priest carries the burden of sin for the tribes.

·       28:17-21,29: On Aaron’s breastplate will be twelve precious stones, each one having the name of one of the tribes.  It is the “breastplate of judgment.”  Thus Aaron will have the tribes close to his heart, reminding God of His mercy and love for them.

·       30:16: The atonement money (half shekel for each and every person) was essentially a tax, to maintain the service of the tabernacle.  It was a memorial for the citizens of Israel of the role of the tabernacle in their atonement.

I am sure we are no different than others.  In the early years of our marriage and family there were events or purchases or verses in the Bible that became “memorials” for us.  This is a good thing.  We do not live in the past, but by these we remember God’s goodness and direction in our lives.