G. R HARDING, one of my favorite Old Testament Scholars, was once asked to summarise the Pentateuch and he said the Pentateuch is 5Rs.
- In Genesis, Israel arrives in Egypt. Keyword is RUINED
- In Exodus, Israel moves from Egypt to Sinai. Keyword is REDEEMED
- In Leviticus, Israel is stationary at Sinai. Keyword is RESTORED
- In Numbers, Israel moves from Sinai to Kadesh. Keyword is RULED
- In Deuteronomy, Israel is Stationary at Kadesh. Keyword is REMINDED
Remembering is a powerful tool in this world. We need to always remember because forgetfulness could be detrimental to our present and future.
Moses presents threefold remembrance elements in the brief history of Israel and concludes with the reason as to why they should remember. Let’s look at them:
- Remember Egypt Vs. 16-20
- Remember SINAI Vs 10,23
- Remember the WILDERNESS Vs 9
In Egypt, Israelites should remember two elements and slavery is actually not one of them. They should remember the CONTEST between Pharaoh and Yahweh. This contest overrules all the events in the history of Egypt.
At Sinai, Israel should remember not the giving of the Law but only one thing…that for the first time a four generations slaves receive an *IDENTITY* as the people of Yahweh
In the Wilderness, the Israelites are asked to remember, not the fish and watermelons, not to remember the perished generation or anything else, but God’s PROVIDENCE.
Now watch this my friend reading. In Uganda, President Museveni and his friends who fought to liberate this country have never stopped to throw it in our faces. TWALWAANA? (we fought).
Did you know that God battled for you? He fought some powers, principalities and Pharaohic systems to get you where you are?
Do you know that he had to become a creature, subject himself to all vulnerabilities, including death eternal, just to secure you an identity of the righteous saint of God?
Don’t count your blessings, just count your enemies, troubles, and dangers and tell us why you are still here? Now that is again God’s providence. Despite all the trials, am still here, am still breathing and walking.
Trust me, you need to remember. That is how you will see the purpose of God in all this (Deuteronomy 4:37-40)
I don’t know what you are going through and actually where you are?
Some of us are on our to Egypt in search of food, I want you to remember that the sons of Jacob never came back and ended up slaves.
Perhaps you are already in Egypt under a Pharaoh. To you I say: Remember Yahweh who rescued the Israelites and call upon him.
Others are in the valley of self-discovery, in search of who they are. I remind you of your creator. It is only a manufacturer who gives a name and function to the product. Only God will brand you right.
To some, it is the wilderness and they are in lack, remember that the world and its fullness is the Lord’s. He will Provide.
I wish I could continue. God bless you, I invoke TRUTH, REASON and FAITH.
Pr ITM WHITE
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 