Able to Breathe

    After a tragedy, trauma, or just a stressful stretch in life it is important to take a moment to breathe.    When the event is over people tend to get sick or kind of fall apart because it is like you have been holding your breath.  Taking a little extra care of yourself is what lets you breathe again.  The body, soul, and mind need time to readjust and figure out the new norm.

    The Hebrews had never experienced freedom.  They had never breathed peaceful air.  They had only known trauma and stress.  Maybe that it why they fell in line with God's plan so easily.  They knew what could happen when they did not obey.  It can be scary, but they had each other.  They had God, so they also had confidence even in their joint brokenness.

    When the Egyptians were broken, the Hebrews went and gathered all the plunder they could with God's blessing.  They would need that for what would come next.  The Egyptians wanted them to take it and leave, so it was not stealing or putting them in duress.  It was like they were finally on equal ground and the Egyptians did not want any reminders.  The Hebrews were the face of death in their eyes.

    When the 10 plagues were over and the plunder was gathered 6,000 Hebrews went to worship God freely for the first time.  They had lived in Egypt for 430 years and now it was time to leave.  They became an unified nation that closed themselves off from other nations.  It was good because they were like children and could easily have been influenced.  God was taking care of His people.

    When they celebrated their first Passover, no foreigners were allowed to participate.  Even among themselves, if there was anyone not circumcised they could not participate.  They had their guidelines set by God and they all obeyed without any question or argument.  They just breathed.

Exodus 12:29-50