In the story of Passover, the Lord called the Hebrew people to be prepared to leave Egypt and He wasn’t speaking figuratively.
Exodus 12:11 “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover.[1]
The Lord had sent nine previous plagues on Egypt and still the Hebrew people remained slaves. This time would be different. God knew that after the tenth plague the Pharaoh would let the people go and they needed to be prepared to leave immediately. As they dressed and put on their sandals it was an act of obedience. They would physically be putting their faith into action.
As the story unfolds, they would be glad they were prepared to leave Egypt.
Exodus 12:28 So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron. 29 And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. 31 Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. “Get out!” he ordered. “Leave my people—and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the Lord as you have requested. 32 Take your flocks and herds, as you said, and be gone. Go, but bless me as you leave.”[2]
The Lord also calls us to be prepared today, but in a different way.
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. [3]
How should I prepare myself? Grow in the word of God and prayer and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you. When you do, you will be prepared. The key is going to God in prayer and asking Him to help you to be prepared. On our own we may not have that desire, but with God working in us, our hearts change. Our ministry loves to connect with our readers. If you have a prayer request or a comment, please let us know. Also, if this devotional helped you, please share it with others. To hear how the Hebrew people prepared and how that applies to us today, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/the-footsteps-of-moses/passover-then-and-now
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 3:14–17). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.