17 April 2021, Anno Domini
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OW there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. (Ex 1:8)
At the first dawning hour, when the lamps were trimmed and lit in the Land of Goshen on the morning of the first Passover, there could be heard across the Egyptian landscape a gradual utterance of horror and unmitigated despair. That mournful cry of anguish built to a crescendo as each family discovered their first-born sons lay silent in the sleep of death. But no such mourning was heard in the homes of the Children of Israel who were under the blood of the sacrificial lamb. In fact, there was perhaps merriment that day in the understanding that their salvation from bondage in Egypt was nigh at hand.
The first Passover was a shadow of events in Israel of that Passover in Jerusalem some 1,700 years hence (based on Bishop Ussher’s computations). How did these events come to be in Goshen? If you have believed the Serpent’s lie that politics and faith should have some imaginary wall of separation, the full meaning will escape you. A ruler had arisen in Egypt who had no knowledge of Joseph, and more importantly, the God of Joseph. This political reality was used in the foreordained plan of God to make the Children of Israel mindful of the need for a Redeemer. That first Passover was a shadow of our own Passover in Christ made possible by His own death and resurrection. “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” 1 Cor 5:7 (KJV) It was an event intended to be a teacher to them of a greater truth that was beyond their primitive understanding. So, God led them to fuller understanding through the Law and the prophets in types and metaphors of the actual meanings.
In our own beloved America, we have elevated wicked men and women to positions of power who know not Joseph or his beneficent Lord. The Church itself has rendered itself sterile to speak out against the most loathsome perversions and sinful policies with which even our children are being indoctrinated. We have not stood firm when Pharoah has forged our chains of oppression in Washington, DC. Are we fearful to speak out? Silence will only hasten our ruin. There are men and women of courage abroad who have tasted the cruel effects of Godless government. They are opposing the evil at the risk of life and limb. They will stand with us if we are courageous to stand on the side of God and Country. “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” (Patrick Henry, 1775) And, God is our Helper.
This Easter Passover, let us rise with renewed faith and vigor to cast aside those chains of oppression and stand valiantly as did our forefathers in the sure knowledge that we stand not alone, but with a “great cloud of witnesses” comprised of those who have paid the price of our political and religious liberties with the red blood of sacrifice, but, more certainly, with the One whose blood was shed at Calvary to purchase our liberty and our souls.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was the First-Begotten of the Living. He rose that we might rise as well so that on the early dawn of the Last Day, no cries of mourning shall be heard in the homes of the redeemed of the Lord.
I pray this Easter will be the dawning of a new day of awakening of America to her purpose, duty, and privilege under a merciful and omniscient Lord who can save the the uttermost. Such an awakening begins with each of us as the spreading candles of light across our beloved land are lit from hand to hand.
Happy Easter!
Jerry L. Ogles
Presiding Bishop
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
