Founding Father Elias Boudinot saw a correlation between the account in Exodus 13 and the American experience. The fact that Boudinot was aware that Israel was to set aside a day and celebrate the victories of the LORD God is a testament to his knowledge and recognition of God’s providential care and the Word of God.
Here is a portion of his famous speech written in 1798, as he expounded on the significant parallels between Israel and what had happened with America four thousand years later.
“The deliverance of the children of Israel from a state of bondage to a unreasonable tyrant was perpetuated by the Paschal [Passover] Lamb; and enjoining it on their posterity as an annual festival forever, with a ‘remember this day in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage’ [Exodus 13:3]…Let us then, my friends and fellow citizens, unite all our endeavors this day to remember with reverential gratitude to our Supreme Benefactor all the wonderful things He has done for us in our miraculous deliverance from a second Egypt—another house of bondage. And you shall show your son on this day saying, ‘this day is kept as a day of joy and gladness because of the great things the Lord has done for us, when we were delivered from the threatening power of an invading foe.’”
Perhaps this 4th of July you could be a little more intentional. Here are few suggestions:
1. Read Exodus 13 to your family and read the excerpt from Boudinot’s speech above. I
2. Before you begin your festivities, open up in public prayer with thanksgiving and praise to our Great God for granting us His abundance on this land. Also, ask for His mercies to be extended to us.
3. Read the Declaration of Independence before you celebrate and solicit any comments about the content.
Happy Independence Day!
Dale
dale@daleebel.org