Learning the Dayenu Prayer

I’ve been learning some really interesting things so far this year—how about you? Between Pastor Eric’s messages on Godfidence and my morning Torah readings, my mind has been full of new thoughts and questions. I keep replaying in my mind the final point from this morning’s sermon: “Let God work alone.” How often do we feel the need to “do our part” when He’s really saying, “Just watch and see what I can do”? That idea—God alone—will probably be the first thing I journal about tonight.

There was another insight from my Torah reading this week that really stayed with me. In Exodus chapter 1, we see an insecure and fearful king trying to eliminate the Hebrews by ordering the death of their newborn sons. When the midwives resist, he escalates his command and orders the people to throw the baby boys into the river. Yet by the end of Exodus, we see God—the gracious, loving King of kings—choosing to dwell among His people in a physical tent, simply because He wants to be near them.

Fast forward about a thousand years, and we encounter another insecure and fearful king. Like Pharaoh, King Herod resorts to infanticide in an attempt to protect his power. Both rulers feared losing their authority and tried to maintain control through violence and force. And yet, once again, the story ends the same way—with the true King choosing a completely different path. This time, the King of kings not only dwells among His people, but willingly offers His own life in their place.

All I can say is—what a contrast, and what a God.