Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 12:1-2 (New International Version)

¹ The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ² “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.

This chapter of Exodus describes the Passover:  t-h-e P-a-s-s-o-v-e-r. The one that occurred in Egypt where if you didn’t eat the special meal and put the blood of the main course on your door frame your first-born would die. That passing over of death.

I don’t recall how young I was the first time I was told this history. I have no idea how many times I have read this passage. Nevertheless, I noticed something new this time:

God resets the Hebrew calendar

Right here, right now, this is to be month one of your year. Every year in month one, you are to remember what happened in Egypt this year.

Ask any American what happens in December, easy – Christmas. Ask any American what happens in July, easy – 4th of July. (Ask any American what happens in November, not so easy but equally important – my birthday 😉

Ask any Jew what happens in the first month of the Hebrew calendar, easy – the Passover meal.

God is brilliant. That sounds a little silly to write. God is so many things, so to say the He is smart… Well, anyways, look at what He did here. He wanted the Hebrews to never forget this event. One method is to reset the calendar. Mark the year on this event.