Israel Remember

[ In the spring of 2022, I asked a group of exceptionally talented students to join me on my annual Easter: Stories and Songs tour. The show had been on a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, and I really wanted to introduce something new as we returned to the road.

Easter: Stories and Songs consists of 10 original songs and original readings that tell the story of the days leading up to Christ’s resurrection. The students joined us and performed five songs that chronicle the events of a few days in the story of Israel—the crossing of the Red Sea to the promise of their covenant with God. The songs foreshadow in theme and melody the greater liberation we celebrate in Easter: Stories & Songs.

I was blown away as the students put flesh around the words and music. They truly brought these five songs to life. These songs performed by these very students will be the next five of the 52 Songs project. Milton Chamblee designed an alternative logo for the songs to set them apart within the project. I am so excited to share them with you! ]

Exodus: Act 1, Song 1 – Israel Remember

As the curtains open and the lights come up, the Israelites stand center stage with suitcases in hand. The last of the ten plagues has occurred and Pharaoh has finally relented; he has let God’s people go. Egypt is now behind them and the Red Sea on the horizon. This is an in-between moment, a liminal moment. And into this liminal space, God speaks. He stops Moses and Moses in turn stops Israel. I can imagine the Israelites thinking, “Stop?! Not stop. Moses, can we have this conversation maybe tomorrow? Pharaoh could change his mind and drag us back into captivity at any moment.”

God stops Israel dead in their tracks. So, whatever he has to say must be of the utmost importance, something that cannot wait. And what does God say? He says, “Commemorate this day.” Remember this day. Don’t forget this day. Israel is thinking only of the next step. God sees the full picture. This moment is one that will forever define them. Everything about who they are and who they will become is bound up in this singular moment. They are a people saved by the mercy of God. That is their identity. By commanding them to commemorate this moment, God is ensuring they remember who they are. See, commemoration is more than remembrance. Some things are too important to be left to the mind alone. Commemoration moves memory from the mind to the hands and eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth. God provides Israel with a ritual meal that enacts their moment of salvation and keeps their identity forever present on the front of their minds and the tips of their tongues.

Credits

Words & Music: Bill Wolf
Produced: Kyle Haas
Videography: Alyssa Shepherd

Vocals: Chloe McCarthy
Acoustic & Backing Vox: Haley Mailhot
Piano & Backing Vox: Keaton Stone
Electric Guitar: Ben McDuffie
Drums: Drew Walburg
Bass: Jamey Gorman