The moment the Jews left Egypt was monumental. They were transformed instantly from slaves to free people. Although the Exodus began on the first day, it wasn’t complete until day seven when the Jews crossed the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) and were out of danger.
There’s a famous saying, “It’s easier to take the Jews out of Egypt than to take Egypt out of the Jews.” This refers to the process of removing a mentality of slavery and self-imposed limitations and is alluded to in the Hebrew word for Egypt, mitzrayim, which means limitations.
One reason Passover lasts seven days (eight outside of Israel) is to remind us that redemption, both physical and spiritual, is an ongoing process. In fact, 49 days of preparation preceded the apex of the Exodus when the Jewish people received the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Our sages say that Passover points to the ultimate messianic redemption, which also entails a long preparation process. This process allows for the refinement of our selves, our society, and the material world by living a life guided by the Torah.
Have you ever wondered what it will be like in the messianic era? The prophet Ezekiel, in chapter 37:24-28, provides the most concise and detailed description of the messianic redemption. In those verses we’re told that there will be a messianic King who will be a descendant of King David and King Solomon, the Jews will be gathered to Israel from the four corners of the world, the Temple will be rebuilt, and a new era of everlasting peace and universal awareness of the one true G-d will be ushered in. Only when these events take place will we know that the Messiah has arrived.
In stark contrast to the Christian messiah, the Jewish Messiah won’t be worshipped as G-d. He will be a revered, righteous human leader and, together with the Jewish people, he will worship and serve G-d.
Missionaries claim that Jesus must be the Messiah because of all the miracles he performed. But our Bible never says that we will recognize the Messiah through miracles he’ll perform. The Torah actually teaches that even false prophets can have the ability to perform supernatural miracles (SEE: Deuteronomy 13:2-6)
The Jewish Bible provides a clear and consistent description of what the world will look like when the Messiah comes and this clearly hasn’t yet transpired. So, we await the coming of the “real” true Messiah, according to G-d’s promises and guidelines. May he and the utopian world come soon!
