The Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt. It is written:
"So they put slave drivers over them to oppress them with forced labor, but the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor, the Egyptians used them ruthlessly. Exodus 1: 11-14
This
morning was a busy morning. While at the
grocery store, we decided to pick up some food for our upcoming Passover Seder
dinner. It felt like Groundhog Day when we
couldn’t find a fresh horseradish root in the Produce Department. We face this same dilemma every year! The grocer told us, “The shipment has not
come in.” So I turned to my hubby and
said: “Just use the stuff in the
jar.” And like so many other years, he
stood firm; “I’ll try another store tomorrow.” He prefers the fresh, potent root because he
likes to get us feeling the drama of oppression that the Israelites faced under
Egyptian slavery. Suffer we must! I dislike that part of the Seder. I don’t like to suffer and cry; On the other
hand, it’s my favorite part. You see,
God brought them through it. He
delivered them. That part is my favorite
part! Guess you can’t have the
deliverance without the suffering.
As we shopped, we
bumped into friends we haven’t seen in years and off to the coffee bar we went. It was good to sit and chat. They needed to talk. They were dismayed because of job loss and
financial strain. We listened and
offered encouragement. I shared a similar
experience we went through years ago and how God rescued us. I could tell that they felt validated in familiar
suffering. Tears welled up in their
eyes. Pretty soon we were all choked
up. We prayed with them before leaving and
they said they felt much better.
After
that, we continued to shop, but my heart changed toward the horseradish. I was up for the search for that bitter root
realizing that it is good to cry and feel the pain!
Jesus,
our Yeshua Hamashiach – the Anointed One, Our Messiah, has indeed come to
rescue us. This year I’m seeing the
suffering in the Seder a little differently and it is more of a focal point for
me. It’s real life. We can only be delivered by going through the
trial. By the power of the cross, He has
delivered us. He is, indeed, our
Passover Lamb, our powerful sacrifice.
Very interesting, love you my friend.
ReplyDeleteCan't have the deliverance without the suffering...that's so true. I think so many of us know that on a personal level. Love that you guys celebrate Passover. Happy passover.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful spiritual application you have made of the bitter root of suffering. And how perfect of The Lord to bring that couple across your path that needed your encouragement. I'll be thinking of that bitter root in this week leading up to Easter. And how our Lord had to go through bitter suffering before receiving glorious deliverance. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love this episode, Mary! Surely, it was no accident you 'happened on' your friends - so in need of encouragement!
ReplyDeleteOnly in the last few years have I been so interested in the Jewish faith; and really appreciate the way in which you share their teachings!
Love ya,
Myra
PS - That tablecloth is equisite!
Mary, such an interesting post. I love how God used you and your husband to ease the suffering of someone else while you were on your *root* hunt. See, He did indeed bring joy out of suffering!
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS - have a wonder-full Easter!
I love when the Lord uses a simple errand for someone needing encouragement through both of you. How significant too that you realize the value of His saving grace whenever we are going through tough times. Praying for His provision for your frIends. You know. .. You also continue to encourage me too. Thank you sister Mary. Thanks be to God...we are not disabled because He is God Who enables! God bless and love to you.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! How amazing that you were looking for bitter root, and found it in your friends sufferings. So many are in a bitter season now. You were such a comfort to them!
ReplyDeleteMay your family have a wonderful Seder and Passover celebration. I have taken part in Seder several times, and it's so meaningful.
Blessings to you!
Ceil
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing about the reason for the bitter root. I feel God placed you and your husband just at the right place and time to connect with your friends and to minister to them...so inspiring to hear these story's. Have a Blessed Easter. Dee
ReplyDelete