Essentials for the Journey

With current technology and scientific models in place, most natural disasters seldom come as a complete surprise. People usually have at least some advance warning when they’re in harm’s way and are able to evacuate to safety. Knowing that you might have to leave your home quickly, what would you imagine would be on the list of recommended items if you had to “grab and go?”

An article on the ABC News website addressing the recent California fires suggested prioritizing the “five P’s” – people and pets; papers, phone numbers, and important documents; prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses; pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia; personal computers and hard drives; and “plastic” (credit and debit cards) and cash.

Further down the list were food, water, first aid supplies, clothing, flashlights, and a multitude of other very practical items that would come in handy in case one was forced to leave home with little notice.

In the twelfth chapter of the book of Exodus in the Bible, the stage is set for a great evacuation. The Israelites have received word that their 400 years of slavery in Egypt are over, and it’s “go time.” The plague of death that has affected every Egyptian household has swept through the nation. Pharaoh, who has consistently hardened his heart and resisted God’s demand to release His people, is finally at the breaking point. Now, he is practically throwing the Israelites out. He summons Moses, the leader of the Israelites, and says, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.” (Exodus 12:31)

No time is wasted. Moses has given God’s people instructions to be ready at a moment’s notice, and they’re prepared to set out on the path to freedom. The Egyptian people urge the Israelites to leave quickly, fearing that God might send an even greater judgment on their nation. They want the Israelites gone, and the Israelites are about to oblige them.

The Israelites eat their final meal under the rule of Pharaoh – the meat of a lamb without defect, bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Moses has told them to eat in haste, with their cloaks tucked into their belts, their sandals on their feet, and their staffs in their hands. Evacuation is imminent.

Of all the things we might imagine the Israelites packing for their journey to the Promised Land, the Bible specifically mentions that they took dough before the yeast was added and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs.

Such an ordinary household item as a kneading trough might seem odd when packing a “go bag” as Israel fled Egypt, but they would actually prove to be quite important on the trek. Bread would be the sustaining food for the people. Flour, water, and a pinch of leavened dough from the previous day’s batch would be mixed and then kneaded together. Kneading troughs would be necessary to prepare the dough to the right consistency before baking.

In the case of a natural disaster, things as simple as a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and duct tape may end up being far more helpful than we would imagine.

In the case of a nation of people leaving hastily on their quest for freedom, ordinary kneading troughs end up being high on the list of priority items to be packed.

Brothers and sisters, do you realize how valuable you are in this era’s pilgrimage to heaven? There’s an urgency for you to fulfill your calling because only the Father knows the hour of His return. Do you understand that your encouraging words are exactly what a friend needs to hear to keep moving forward? Do you realize that your kind, thoughtful deeds remind a hurting heart of the goodness of God? Do you know the impact of your witness to the world when you suffer well or truly love an enemy? Can you even imagine the blessing you are as you love and serve your family with gentleness and faithfulness?

You’re called by God to play a specific role in the establishment of His kingdom. What an honor to serve Him – in whatever ordinary, simple, capacity He chooses for you! Faithfully embrace the responsibility to live up to your kingdom calling because you don’t know when His kingdom will come. Surrender yourself to the work of His hands, and you’ll be a blessing to His people as they journey toward their true home. What you do in His name is essential.

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10