Memorials of God's Deliverance
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Throughout the Bible, memorials serve as tangible reminders of God's mighty acts of deliverance and His faithfulness to His people. These memorials, often physical objects or established practices, are instituted to ensure that the memory of God's intervention is preserved and passed down through generations.

1. The Passover (Exodus 12:14):
The Passover is one of the most significant memorials of God's deliverance. Instituted during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, it commemorates the night when the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn. The Lord commanded, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come" (Exodus 12:14). The Passover meal, with its specific elements, serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance from slavery and His covenant faithfulness.

2. The Twelve Stones at the Jordan (Joshua 4:6-7):
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to set up twelve stones taken from the riverbed as a memorial. These stones were to serve as a sign among the people. Joshua explained, "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" (Joshua 4:6-7). This memorial was a testament to God's miraculous provision and guidance.

3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 13:9):
Closely associated with the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is another memorial of deliverance. It commemorates the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time to let their bread rise. God instructed, "It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt" (Exodus 13:9). This feast serves as a reminder of God's power and the importance of obedience to His commands.

4. The Sabbath (Exodus 31:16-17):
The Sabbath is a weekly memorial of God's creation and deliverance. It is a day of rest, reflecting God's rest on the seventh day of creation and His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. "The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed" (Exodus 31:16-17). The Sabbath serves as a continual reminder of God's sovereignty and provision.

5. The Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-25):
In the New Testament, the Lord's Supper, or Communion, is established as a memorial of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. During the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine, giving thanks and saying, "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" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). This ordinance is a profound reminder of the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Christ's atoning work.

These memorials, among others, are integral to the faith and practice of believers, serving as enduring symbols of God's deliverance and His unwavering commitment to His people. They invite reflection, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to live in accordance with God's will.
Memorials of Faith
Top of Page
Top of Page