We are in chapter twelve of Exodus with our word for today which is actually a phrase. לֵ֣יל שִׁמֻּרִ֥ים night of watching. Since it is only used once in the bible here in our chapter let’s look at both of these words. שִׁמֻּרִים watch, watching. It is used 2 times in the Old Testament, the root שִׁמֻּר is used 468 times. Both times the form of our word is used are in our chapter today. The other word in our phrase is לַ֫יְלָה night. It is used 233 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used most of the time in the literal sense of the time after sunset before sunrise while it is still dark outside. Proverbs 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out בַלַּיִל at night. Our word is used four times in the context of a night watch. Isaiah 21:11 A prophecy against Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left מִלַּ֔יְלָה of the night? Watchman, what is left מִלֵּֽיל of the night?” Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches בַלַּיִל of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 12:42 It was a לֵ֣יל שִׁמֻּרִ֥ים night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so הַלַּ֤יְלָה this same night is a night [this word is supplied by the translator to help with interpretation. It is not wrong to do this as it helps us understand the meaning. It literally is watching but as we have seen earlier it is a night of watching. So it does help us and does not contradict with the original context.] of שִׁמֻּרִ֛ים watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations. David is a good example of what to do when we are waiting on God to act. Because David lived in this fallen messed up with corruption world that we also live in he saw a lot of things that he didn’t understand why God wasn’t taking care of these things right away. What does he do while he is waiting and watching for God to work. Psalm 59:9-10 You are my strength, I אֶשְׁמֹ֑רָה watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than מִשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים watchmen wait for the morning, more than שֹׁמְרִ֥ים watchmen wait for the morning. It is also good to remember Jesus example and Paul’s description of the quality of God’s will and timing. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Romans 12:2 Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. I’ll close with this great passage. Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
