TELL YOUR CHILDREN

Ex .13:8

There were some things the children of Israel was told to tell their children. They were told this would help the children and the children would know the truth about how God dealt with their fathers as well as how God dealt with their enemies. In the Passover there are questions by a child, Why is this night distinguished from all other nights? On this night we eat only unleavened bread. On all other nights, we eat any kind of herbs, but on this night only bitter herbs, Why? On all other nights we do not dip, but tonight we dip twice. Why? On this night we all recline in our chairs at the table. Why? In reply, the father begins to chant the whole Haggadah, The Passover Book.

The unleavened bread symbolizes purity. The bitter herbs remind us of the bitterness of slavery. The dipping was done by dipping parsley twice in salt water to remind them the first dip Israel went into the sea and come out unharmed and the second dip was for the Egyptian army, who tried to follow them but was drowned. The fourth question, the reclining in the chairs has to do with freedom.

It was very important for Israel to tell their children, and each generation since that time still tells their children. Is there anything today that we need to be telling our children and grandchildren?

Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt and for thousands of years they have told of their redemption. I was in bondage to sin and could not free myself. My father and grandfathers were in that same bondage and could not deliver themselves. Hopelessly in bondage, we were slaves to one more powerful than the Egyptians. As a matter of fact, we were in bondage to the same one the Egyptians and all of mankind was enslaved to. God sent His only begotten Son to redeem us and we too are instructed to tell our children that the bitterness of sin is still very bitter but there is hope for all of mankind when we go to the river and let Jesus open the troubled waters for us. He rolls back the troubled waters and we all can go to the other side where there is a time we can recline and bask in the joy of the Lord forever.

There is a danger when we don't tell our children. Inside each heart there is a searching, there is a longing to be set free from the troubles and trials of life, but many of our children are not hearing and they are turning to other voices that call to them. They are trying to fill the void in their lives only to come up short and taste the bitter herbs for eternity.

The song writer said, "There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold, but one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountain, wild and bare, away from the tender shepherd's care. None of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed. Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through ere he found His sheep that was lost." Friends, Jesus is searching for his own. Tell them so they will not stray too far.