This will be my last pastor’s message until after the Days of Unleavened Bread. Next Friday evening many of us will be gathered together in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ to enjoy a meal together in what is affectionately known as the Night to Be Much Observed.
This yearly observance is always celebrated on the beginning of the First Day of Unleavened Bread. We find a notable mention of this night in Exodus 12:40-42 (KJV); “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”
The Hebrew word translated “much observed” is shimmur, meaning an observance. Shimmur is a form of the word shamar meaning to hedge about (as with thorns); which is, by extension, to guard, to protect, or attend to something. These words express more than simple observation; they mean to preserve and protect a thing or memory, to be circumspect and take serious heed of it. This is the reason it is translated much observed in the King James Version. God desired them—and now us, to guard, protect, and attend to the memory of it. The solemn observance that this evening commemorates took place at the beginning of the exodus out of Egypt. God had powerfully intervened through 10 supernatural plagues to demonstrate His divine will in condemnation of human oppression, captivity, and slavery.
It must have been a night of grave concern and apprehension for each of them as they began their exodus. After living for generations in the fertile Nile delta, God’s plan for the Israelites was that they would move to the land promised to their fathers. The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament says of this passage: "[This night is] a preservation-night of the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. . . . This same night is (consecrated) to the Lord as a preservation for all children of Israel in their families." Commentator Adam Clarke adds, "[It is] a night to be held in everlasting remembrance."
At least in part, Israel was to keep the Night to Be Much Observed as a night of watching—of watchful vigil—to commemorate the reason they were able to leave Egypt so easily. A whole nation of slaves, without having to lift a hand to affect their liberty, walked away from their captors. The reason they could flee from Egypt unscathed was due to God watching over them as His plan unfolded. The origin of the word observe has the sense of guarding or watching. In the margin of many New King James translations for Exodus 12:42 it says, "night of vigil." The New International Version says: "Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come." Being alert and vigilant certainly are vital characteristics for Christians to have while living in an age that Paul calls "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4).
The concept of keeping a vigil is also mentioned in Exodus 12:37-42 in the Jerusalem Bible, Readers' edition: "The sons of Israel left Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thousand on the march-all men-not counting their families. People of various sorts joined them in great numbers; there were flocks, too, and herds in immense droves. They baked cakes with the dough, which they had brought from Egypt, unleavened because the dough was not leavened; they had been driven out of Egypt, with no time for dallying, and had not provided themselves with food for the journey. The time that the sons of Israel had spent in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And on the very day the four hundred and thirty years end, all the array of Yahweh left the land of Egypt. The night, when Yahweh kept vigil to bring them out of the land of Egypt, must be kept as a vigil in honor of Yahweh for all their generations."
The Torah also uses this same terminology concerning verse 42: "the same night is the LORD's one of vigil." Traditionally we gather in one another's homes or assemble together as a group in a private room and enjoy a fine meal and fellowship, remembering our calling and that we, like ancient Israel, have been freed from slavery by the power of God (John 8:34-36). When we gather together with friends on this Sabbath eve, what lessons are we to focus on?
As true Christians we are called out of the corrupting influence of sin, we celebrate on this night because we too have been delivered from Egypt—spiritually. Egypt is a type of sin (Hebrews 11:24-27). Christ, “our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7), has delivered us from the bitter slavery of sin. We also are able to walk out of Egypt—sin, with great emotion, exhilaration and joy because of Christ’s sacrifice! We live in a world that is full of evil and the way of truth and righteousness is far from the minds of most. Jesus came to earth to bring a new way of life, the way of truth. He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). We celebrate and remember our calling on this night. Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
Prior to Christ's trial and persecution leading up to His crucifixion, He went to a private place to pray. In Matthew 26:36-46 we read the account. Three times he asked Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to "watch with Me." Each time He returned to check on them, they were asleep. In verse 41 Christ entreated them, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." When the hour came for Jesus to be betrayed, they were still sleeping. They provided little companionship during this most intense time.
What is the meaning of this word watch used by Christ? Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says it comes from the Greek word gregoreo and is used in the sense of keeping awake and spiritual alertness. (Some good references are found in Acts 20:31, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Colossians 4:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:6). The context of the word watch is in reference to a spiritual condition of alertness. Christ's instruction is to prevent us becoming unwittingly deceived by Satan and falling to temptation or becoming entangled with distractions. We are to be spiritually alert. This requires placing our priorities above diversions and enticements. Always in remembrance that without God, we're "in bondage under the elements of the world" (Galatians 4:3).
In Mark's account in chapter 14:37, Christ said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?" It is difficult to keep focused on our calling and remain vigilant against the temptations and pulls of the flesh. It was once said that Christianity isn't difficult to find, but that it was found difficult and not tried. The tragic lesson of ancient Israel was an example of human nature's fundamental problem. It is one of the most profound lessons of human history—a lesson we are to keep forefront in our minds.
Though given physical freedom and protection by God, as a nation Israel never left the lust, selfishness and spiritual blindness that had enslaved both them and their captors in Egypt. Israel insisted on choosing their own gods and making their own rules, a problem that plagues humankind to this day. Israel enslaved itself because of rejecting God's way of life and rulership" in their hearts, they turned back to Egypt" (Acts 7:39).
Paul reminds us all that we must continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2). We live in a fascinating and frightening world in which it is easy to be distracted and fall asleep spiritually. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals the way to freedom from the bonds of wickedness and relief from oppression and heavy burdens by drawing near to Him (Isaiah 58:6). Perhaps in God's wisdom, the Holy Day cycle starts off with fellowship among true believers who realize the vital importance of remaining on guard and vigilant against a powerful fallen archangel who wants to hinder us from being a part of the family of God.
As we gather together as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ for the NTBMO, let's learn the vital lesson of vigilance. We are to guard, to protect, and attend to the memory of all that God has, and is doing, for us. It is always inspiring to look up at the full moon and remember that God's way will be a lamp unto our feet and illuminate the journey to which He has called us. Enjoy this wonderful evening! But be on guard, for the days are evil and our deliverance to a new world depends on our following God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior. Remember the time is indeed coming when Jesus Christ will return to earth and break every yoke of human bondage, freeing humanity from its self-imposed slavery. Those who heed the calling of God, stay vigilant, walking in truth worthy of their calling will be there to help usher in a new way of life at Christ's return. Then "many nations shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord ... He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths" (Micah 4:2).