This portion of scripture is...
Illustration
This portion of scripture is like a sandwich. The top slice reads, "My people went down at first into Egypt ..." The bottom slice reads, "Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing ..." In between is the beautiful and glorious vision of God rejoicing with Israel's redemption.
It is Christmas day. Love sandwiched between three hundred sixty-five days of anger, resentment, tiredness, listlessness, illness, sadness, and much more. We experience the "going down to Egypt" and the "Depart! Depart!" so often in a year's time.
Like a double Oreo cream sandwich, though, this day can bring its own satisfaction. The gifts of love have been exchanged and affirmed (or denied.) A day of rest is appreciated. In and of itself this day can be its own reward.
But this day is not of its own. It is a work day, a day in which we are to proclaim, bring, sing, look God in the eye, and accept his comfort, redemption, peace, and salvation. This is a day of great work!
It is Christmas day. Love sandwiched between three hundred sixty-five days of anger, resentment, tiredness, listlessness, illness, sadness, and much more. We experience the "going down to Egypt" and the "Depart! Depart!" so often in a year's time.
Like a double Oreo cream sandwich, though, this day can bring its own satisfaction. The gifts of love have been exchanged and affirmed (or denied.) A day of rest is appreciated. In and of itself this day can be its own reward.
But this day is not of its own. It is a work day, a day in which we are to proclaim, bring, sing, look God in the eye, and accept his comfort, redemption, peace, and salvation. This is a day of great work!
