“And when your children ask you”: Reflections on Exodus 12:26

About this episode

Kristian Heal explores the significance of the question in Exodus 12:26 and its implications for faith and memory across generations.

In this week’s Old Testament Reflection, Kristian Heal explores the meaning and power of the question posed in Exodus 12:26: “And when your children ask you…” Drawing on the Exodus story, Heal reflects on what he calls the Bible’s tradition of prophetic audacity—the insistence that God is mightier than any empire, obstacle, or fear. This episode considers how story and ritual work together to sustain faith across generations. In Exodus 12, narrative gives way to law, memory becomes embodied in ritual, and parents are charged with passing on the reasons for hope through a culture of questions and answers. From Passover to Christian worship, Heal shows how sacred time, liturgy, and memory keep the mighty acts of God present and real. This audio essay invites listeners to consider how remembering—and retelling—God’s saving work shapes resilient faith in both ancient Israel and contemporary discipleship.

People in this episode

Guest: Kristian Heal

Topics covered

• Old Testament Reflection
• Exodus story
• prophetic audacity
• faith across generations
• story and ritual
• sacred time
• memory

Keywords

• Exodus 12:26
• prophetic audacity
• faith
• ritual
• memory
• Passover
• Christian worship
• storytelling

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Exodus 12:26, Exodus, Christian worship

Places: ancient Israel

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