Parental Love

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.  So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” Exodus 4:22-23 NASB

Firstborn – Chapter eighteen of David Fohrman’s book, The Exodus You Almost Passed Over, is a powerful analysis of the cosmic consequences of the Passover. The points he makes are well worth remembering on this particular Passover day.

“The Exodus was the event that made clear to humanity that it had a transcendental Parent. But it was also the event in which one member of that divine family of nations, a just-born member, took a first, momentous, step and declared itself part of that family. Israel was the first nation to burst onto the world scene wholly devoted to the idea of being a child in the family of the One God, the Creator of All.”[1]

Fohrman notes that this is the reason for the instructions concerning the blood on the doorposts. It was not sufficient for God to simply elect Israel. Israel also had to choose to accept the position. Following God’s instructions demonstrated willingness to be claimed as the firstborn. “Being a bechor [firstborn], ultimately, is less about biology than it is about the role you play in the family. And so it is on the national level: Israel may be regarded as a bechor in the family of nations, but membership in Israel is open to all.”[2]

Passover is the celebration of God’s declaration that He is parent to all humanity—and it is Israel’s declaration that it accepts His parenting for all the nations to see. For this reason, Passover is to be commemorated every year. Humanity needs a constant reminder that He is parent to us all and all are invited to join His firstborn.

My friend Daniel offered me this reminder: “G-d has seven Festival Sabbaths. . . . Paul would definitely advocate keeping all seven of them. He bolted around the known world trying to make sure he always got from one place to another to celebrate Sabbath and Festivals with the believers, in good time. Yeshua YEARNED to keep the feast of Passover with his disciples (Luke 22:15). We also have an obligation to remember our redemption and salvation.  “Therefore REMEMBER that formerly you who were Gentiles . . .” (Ephesians 2:11-13). You too were delivered from your personal Egypt!! Much of this is Halacha expressed in the Command Tense; in other words, an absolute requirement if you want to walk in G-d’s Kingdom.”

Passover is much more than simply an historical recollection of escape from death and slavery. It is an announcement that YHVH is our Father, a proclamation that He birthed us. “Unless a man is conceived by the Father” is a call for inclusion in God’s bechor. Come join the party.

Topical Index: Passover, Fohrman, bechor, firstborn, Exodus 4:22-23

[1] David Fohrman, The Exodus You Almost Passed Over, p. 149.

[2] Ibid, footnote, p. 150.