Freedom for Worship

Exodus 12:1–2 (NASB95)

1Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you.

Commentary - Freedom for Worship

Chapter twelve of Exodus is one of the longest chapters in the entire book. The amount of space dedicated to the topics it discusses suggests that these are important topics that God wants His people to understand and remember (there is that word again). Because of the important material in chapter twelve, we will slow down a bit as we move through this chapter. 

If I were to give a theme to chapter twelve by itself, what would that theme be? In a single word - worship. God stresses the importance of worship and how to worship Him. 

At the very moment when the story of the plagues reaches its peak, God does something unexpected. He interrupts the drama to give Moses and Aaron detailed instructions about worship. Worship is so important that He builds the Israelites' calendar around worship. He marks a new beginning, not just in time but in identity. The Israelites are no longer defined by their slavery or by Egypt’s rhythms. Their lives now revolve around God’s act of redemption. This new calendar is a constant reminder (there is that word/concept again) that their story starts with God’s saving work. 

God does not pause the narrative to add a footnote. He stops everything to teach His people how to worship Him. Chapter 12 is one of the longest in Exodus because worship is not an afterthought. It is the very reason for the Exodus. Worship of God is so important that it affects how they observe time, seasons, and celebrations. God did not just want to free the Hebrews from Pharaoh. He wanted to free them for Himself. The instructions for the Passover and the consecration of the firstborn are not just rituals. They are acts of remembrance and commitment marked on the calendar. God is telling His people that true freedom is found in worship and obedience. The Exodus is not just about escaping oppression. It is about becoming a people who know, love, and serve Yahweh. 

The themes of freedom and worship run throughout the New Testament. Christ did not free us from sin so we could do whatever we want. He freed us to serve Him, and no one or nothing but Him. Are our lives built around the worship that Christ has freed us to give? Or do the rhythms of our lives reflect that we are driven by our personal Egypts? What intentional steps do we take as families to remember what Christ has done for each of us and to build our activities around His worship? I think that is one of the bad habits American culture has given us. Often, worship is built around our secular schedules. In these two verses, God helps us refocus on what events should be most prominent in our lives. 

Blessings, 

Ryan Goodnight