Memorials In God's Word

Holiday = root, "holy day" = Set apart to meditate on day / event / occasion

+ A day elevated above others for holy purposes

+ Over time = Meaning has degenerated = Downward trend of life

+ [1] Leisure time away from work, devoted to rest or pleasure = [2] A day on which work is suspended by law or custom = [3] To spend or take a vacation

+ For some, a holiday is not time to take off, but to work = My own experiences in past

The memorial day holiday is certainly a typical example of this

+ Originally called Decoration Day = Day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service

+ Born out of the experience of our own Civil War = Remember the dead = Decorate the graves = Heal the wounds

+ But most Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day

+ Forget about keeping it on May 30 ~ "Last Monday in May" = 3-day weekend to "holiday"

+ To serve the selfish pleasures and be paid for it = And for some to capitalize off of it

+ For some = "The unofficial start of Summer" = [Mild surprise July 4 or "Dec. 25" are still respected and have not yet been moved...]

And yet ~ ESP. w/a "holy-day" like MEMORIAL day = All of that flies in the face of what a "memorial" is

+ Essence = "Remembrance" = "Commemoration"

+ "A recognition of meritorious service" = Perhaps accompanied by some type of written statement = A monument = A marker = A statue or other structure

+ And certainly we can see this elevated, deeper, "holy-day" meaning in the first instance of the word in the Word of God

+ Exod. 3 = God appears to Moses in the burning bush = Sends him back to Israel to deliver His people = [9-12]

+ Includes the revelation of God’s personal name = [13-14] = And the introduction of the very first establishment of a memorial by the Lord in His Word = [15]

All the aspects of a true memorial = What it ought to be

+ The LORD God becomes the memorial = Psalms 102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

+ His name stands in His place = A representation to call the memorial to mind = Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. = HOLINESS aspect

+ The enduring aspect of a memorial = Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

+ Lest there be any confusion over exactly what God had in mind = Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

But it is not the only memorial the Word of God records being established

+ And so on this Memorial Day eve let us consider the institution of some other memorials

+ And consider their implications for our lives

Exod. 12 = The Passover = [12-14]

+ God has not changed His mind about the "all the gods of Egypt" = Will you be judged?

+ And you still need to be under the blood to be safe today = Are you?

Exod. 16 = The Laying up of the manna = [32-33]

+ What a study we could do on this subject of the manna

+ However, for our purposes tonight = Let these thoughts suffice

+ God led His people out of Egypt and fed His people in the wilderness

+ He gave them the bread from Heaven = The bread of life

+ Are you feasting on the manna? = Being fed & filled?

+ But mindful of the "daily duty" nature of the manna?

+ EXCEPT for the Sabbath = (And of course today that would be the Lord’s Day...)?

Exod. 28 = The stones of the ephod = [9-12]

+ The names of the people of God = Engraved on a precious stone

+ Placed upon the shoulder = The place of strength for the bearing of burdens

+ Placed upon the shoulder of the High Priest = Ever before the Lord

+ Set in "ouches of gold" = Gold calling to mind...

+ The doctrines of grace = True converts = Tried faith = Saints after affliction

+ You are borne on the shoulders of the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ the Righteous

+ In Him your name = YOU = are ever before the Lord

+ Because of His grace = Because you are a true convert

+ So perhaps you are experiencing a trying of your faith?