Post by clarise on Mar 19, 2020 9:23:19 GMT -7
Passover 2020
in conjuction with Covid-19
PASSOVER 2020 essay
spring feast observation March 17, 2020
Passover 2020
in conjuction with Covid-19
by Clarise & Ward
Today we keep the 3rd lunar/biblical Shabbat of the 12th and last month of the year. Next week we will be looking up for the moon to determine the new year, which will also reveal what day Passover/Pesach will fall on.
In the midst of an international crisis and national emergency of the Covid-19/ SARS2 virus, I cannot help but recognize the overlap of this feast’s observation dates and customs. The United States is recommending everyone practice a community effort, for the next 10-14 days, to slow the spread of this disease by staying at home while the invisible, sometimes asymptomatic virus spreads. In the biblical tradition of Passover, the general remembrance of the historical event of the first Passover, we remember a people that YHVH, God, was calling out of Egypt. Preceding the Exodus was an extreme set of plagues including the Angel of Death, so, God provided a way to protect His people from it’s harm. In essence the mandate for protection was to stay in your own home and seal the doorpost of each home with His blood to assure the survival of each household.
Isn’t it interesting that this mandate overlaps the practice we are seeing recommended by our government for the next 2-4 weeks? In fact, in 14 days approximately would be the day the lamb would be selected, on the 10th of the month, 4 days before Passover. Each home would be practicing Passover in their own homes, not as a mass collective. I understand that the Pope has suspended all mass, pun intended, gatherings until a week after Easter. This is historical in practice, in fact usually the attendance to churches worldwide is highest on Easter, and other holidays. This year, 2020, there will be a decision to be made by all households: whether they will lock down their home or not to help flatten the curve of Covid-19, and essentially cut back of the death toll of this virus. These festivals, in Hebrew "mohadims": or dress rehearsals have always been holographic to me. They tell a
story about the nation of Israel, they were specifically to show God’s glory as referenced in Romans 9:7, and they teach us to rehearse and remember part of God’s plan for humankind’s redemption, and His provision for that.
As the virus spreads throughout the world and now our country, we are all pressed to trust God for our provision and ultimately survival this week, month, and year to come.
This also brings to mind the path God laid out for those wandering in the desert after the Exodus. His plan was to take them to the promised land which was approximately an 11 day trip (220-250 miles). The lack of trust and self-control on Israel’s part resulted in this trip taking 40 years and a generation died before their children were allowed to enter. I see another correlation with the Covid-19 virus and this part of the story. This virus specifically targets those 65 years and over. The millenials now have an extreme responsibility to protect their parents and grandparents in this response to the virus, as expressed by our national health advisors. If people do not cooperate with the stay-at-home recommendation, the amount of infections will most likely spike to a number far beyond the nation’s healthcare capacity and could complicate this to an exponential degree, meaning many more deaths than otherwise. I am comforted by the overlap of this feast and the choices our nation is making to do a very similar act that was asked of God’s people so long ago. He has a plan, do what is loving and right despite our fear of self provision, knowing God is our provider. We, in essence are walking out of our comfort zone and having to allow our Creator to provide whatever we need that we cannot be sure of if we just stay in our home’s and let Him fight the battle.
in conjuction with Covid-19
PASSOVER 2020 essay
spring feast observation March 17, 2020
Passover 2020
in conjuction with Covid-19
by Clarise & Ward
Today we keep the 3rd lunar/biblical Shabbat of the 12th and last month of the year. Next week we will be looking up for the moon to determine the new year, which will also reveal what day Passover/Pesach will fall on.
In the midst of an international crisis and national emergency of the Covid-19/ SARS2 virus, I cannot help but recognize the overlap of this feast’s observation dates and customs. The United States is recommending everyone practice a community effort, for the next 10-14 days, to slow the spread of this disease by staying at home while the invisible, sometimes asymptomatic virus spreads. In the biblical tradition of Passover, the general remembrance of the historical event of the first Passover, we remember a people that YHVH, God, was calling out of Egypt. Preceding the Exodus was an extreme set of plagues including the Angel of Death, so, God provided a way to protect His people from it’s harm. In essence the mandate for protection was to stay in your own home and seal the doorpost of each home with His blood to assure the survival of each household.
Isn’t it interesting that this mandate overlaps the practice we are seeing recommended by our government for the next 2-4 weeks? In fact, in 14 days approximately would be the day the lamb would be selected, on the 10th of the month, 4 days before Passover. Each home would be practicing Passover in their own homes, not as a mass collective. I understand that the Pope has suspended all mass, pun intended, gatherings until a week after Easter. This is historical in practice, in fact usually the attendance to churches worldwide is highest on Easter, and other holidays. This year, 2020, there will be a decision to be made by all households: whether they will lock down their home or not to help flatten the curve of Covid-19, and essentially cut back of the death toll of this virus. These festivals, in Hebrew "mohadims": or dress rehearsals have always been holographic to me. They tell a
story about the nation of Israel, they were specifically to show God’s glory as referenced in Romans 9:7, and they teach us to rehearse and remember part of God’s plan for humankind’s redemption, and His provision for that.
As the virus spreads throughout the world and now our country, we are all pressed to trust God for our provision and ultimately survival this week, month, and year to come.
This also brings to mind the path God laid out for those wandering in the desert after the Exodus. His plan was to take them to the promised land which was approximately an 11 day trip (220-250 miles). The lack of trust and self-control on Israel’s part resulted in this trip taking 40 years and a generation died before their children were allowed to enter. I see another correlation with the Covid-19 virus and this part of the story. This virus specifically targets those 65 years and over. The millenials now have an extreme responsibility to protect their parents and grandparents in this response to the virus, as expressed by our national health advisors. If people do not cooperate with the stay-at-home recommendation, the amount of infections will most likely spike to a number far beyond the nation’s healthcare capacity and could complicate this to an exponential degree, meaning many more deaths than otherwise. I am comforted by the overlap of this feast and the choices our nation is making to do a very similar act that was asked of God’s people so long ago. He has a plan, do what is loving and right despite our fear of self provision, knowing God is our provider. We, in essence are walking out of our comfort zone and having to allow our Creator to provide whatever we need that we cannot be sure of if we just stay in our home’s and let Him fight the battle.