Exodus 13:3: Remember This Day
Attention
1. Our nation has a number of days to commemorate special
events in our history.
a. July
4th – Our independence; Veteran’s Day; Pearl Harbor Day; Sept. 11th
– 9/11 Attacks
b. Some of these remember great
days in our history, some very sad days, but all are days to never forget.
2. Israel in the OT also had special days to honor certain
events, but one day stood out above them all. 13:1-16
a. The exodus from Egypt was a
day to remember; it was the end of bondage and the beginning of a nation.
b. God wanted the Israelites to
remember the day of salvation forever; doing so would guard them spiritually.
3. Most have poor memories; we forget the things that are
important, but salvation must never be forgotten.
[Proposition] We must remember the salvation God has
given us, lest we forget His power, love, and goodness.
I.
Israel’s Day to Remember
A.
What Was Israel to Remember?
1.
The Salvation of God
a)
From Egypt
(1)
God wanted the children of Israel to always remember their past. 3
(2)
They had been strangers and slaves in Egypt, but the LORD freed them.
b)
From Death of Firstborn
(1)
In freeing Israel from Egypt, God had killed all the firstborn in Egypt.
15
(2)
Only faith’s obedience spared the Israelites from suffering the same
fate.
2.
The Power of God
a)
The Israelites were not to forget that God had saved them; they did not
save themselves. 3
b)
The people would not have left Egypt if they had not believed and obeyed
God.
c)
But it was God’s power that had delivered them, not their own power or
goodness.
3.
The Goodness of God
a)
God did not turn His people loose to wander in the wilderness on their
own. 5
b)
God fulfilled His promise to give them the land of Canaan, a good and
plentiful land.
c)
Abundance makes men forget God; the LORD wanted Israel to remember His
goodness.
B.
How Was Israel to Remember?
1.
They Were to Remember in the Place of Blessing
a)
The memorial of the Passover was to be observed after Israel settled in
Canaan. 4-5
b)
The people were not to be complacent; they were to continue to honor what
God had done
2.
They Were to Remember in the Eating of Bread
a)
The LORD instituted a weeklong memorial: the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
6-7
b)
This feast with its purging of all leaven in the house was to remind them
of God’s work.
3.
They Were to Remember in the Training of Children
a)
The Israelites were to teach their children the great things God had
done. 8, 14-15
b)
The people were to take advantage of teaching moments by talking about
the LORD.
4.
They Were to Remember in the Context of God’s
Law
a)
The remembrance of God’s work was to inspire the remembrance of God’s
will. 9-10
b)
Love and appreciation for God’s blessings would naturally promote
attention to His word.
5.
They Were to Remember in the Consecration of the Firstborn
a)
The setting apart of the firstborn was also a reminder of God and their
salvation. 11-13
b)
Whenever a firstborn child or animal was born, the people’s minds would
return to God.
II.
Our Day to Remember
A.
What Are We to Remember?
1.
The Salvation of God
a)
As the people of God today, we need to remember where we came from.
Eph. 2:1-3
b)
We were not loveable, deserving people; we are wretches, saved by amazing
grace.
2.
The Power of God
a)
We cannot boast of salvation; it is the gift of God accomplished by His
power. Eph. 2:8-9
b)
None of us will be saved unless we believe and obey God, but God receives
all the glory.
3.
The Goodness of God
a)
God did not leave us to fend for ourselves; He raised us to a place of
blessing. Eph. 2:4-7
b)
As Christians we enjoy a “promised land” of divine fellowship, and in the
end, Heaven.
B.
How Are We to Remember?
1.
We Are to Remember in the Place of Blessing
a)
A new convert usually feels gratitude and joy quite intensely, but with
time it may fade.
b)
Some will “forget” their forgiveness, leading to spiritual apathy and
eternal loss. 2Pe. 1:2-11
c)
We must never forget the day of salvation, but let its memory inspire
continued faithfulness.
2.
We Are to Remember in the Eating of Bread
a)
No one literally forgets they were saved, but God knows our minds can be
distracted from it.
b)
As in the OT, the LORD appointed a memorial feast to renew our memory.
1Co. 11:23-26
c)
Each first day of the week is a time to refocus our minds and renew a
commitment of heart.
3.
We Are to Remember in the Training of Children
a)
The children of the exodus learned its lessons, but they failed to
instill them in their kids.
b)
Parents must cultivate an awareness of God’s saving power in their
children. Eph. 6:4
c)
Even though children are not sinners saved by blood, they need to learn
what God has done.
4.
We Are to Remember in the Context of God’s
Law
a)
Some people take joy in salvation but find no joy in devoting themselves
to God’s law.
b)
But God’s will and God’s work go hand in hand; we must honor both. Php.
2:12-13
c)
Our sense of gratitude for all God has done should increase our
commitment to obey Him.
5.
We Are to Remember in the Consecration of the Firstborn
a)
We do not dedicate our firstborn children and animals to God; every
Christian is dedicated.
b)
Christians are the assembly of the firstborn (He. 12:22) and
firstfruits of creation. Jas. 1:18
c)
The firstborn belonged to God in a special way; Christians today hold
that same position.
Action
1. God told Israel, “Remember this day in which you went
out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD
brought you out of this place” (13:3).
2. Do you remember the day the LORD brought you out of the
land of bondage and sin?
a. That day is the day Christ
died; that day is the day He rose again.
b. That day is the day you put
on Christ in baptism; it is the day we celebrate each first day of the week.
3. The day we are talking about isn’t a specific date on
the calendar; it is the day God brought salvation to man.
4. Have you shared in God’s salvation? Or are you still
languishing in slavery to sin? Ac. 2:38; 22:16
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