Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, reminders of deliverance serve as powerful symbols and testimonies of God's intervention and faithfulness in the lives of His people. These reminders are often physical objects, rituals, or commemorations that help the faithful recall God's mighty acts of salvation and His covenant promises.1. The Passover: One of the most significant reminders of deliverance in the Bible is the Passover. Instituted in Exodus 12, the Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood so that the angel of death would "pass over" their homes during the final plague. This event is a profound reminder of God's power and mercy. The annual celebration of Passover serves as a perpetual reminder of this deliverance. As stated in Exodus 12:14 , "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come." 2. The Stones of Gilgal: Another significant reminder of deliverance is found in the book of Joshua. After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to set up twelve stones taken from the riverbed as a memorial. These stones served as a reminder of how God stopped the flow of the Jordan, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Joshua 4:6-7 explains, "In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever." 3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Closely associated with the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is another reminder of deliverance. This feast, which lasts seven days, commemorates the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time to let their bread rise. Exodus 13:3 states, "So Moses told the people, 'Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. For the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. No leavened bread shall be eaten.'" 4. The Sabbath: The Sabbath is a weekly reminder of deliverance and rest. It commemorates not only God's rest after creation but also the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Deuteronomy 5:15 emphasizes this dual significance: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day." 5. The Lord's Supper: In the New Testament, the Lord's Supper, or Communion, serves as a reminder of deliverance through Jesus Christ. Instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper, this practice commemorates His sacrificial death and the new covenant established through His blood. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 records Jesus' words: "And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'" These reminders of deliverance are woven throughout the biblical narrative, serving as enduring symbols of God's faithfulness and the salvation He provides to His people. |