Darrow Miller and Friends

It Would Have Been Enough

Recently I heard a homily on the Jewish concept Dayeinu, “It would have been enough.” It touched me deeply and propelled me to do some additional study on the subject.

Passover meal celebrates Dayeinu it is enoughDayeinu is a song used by the Jews as they celebrate Passover. It is a song of memory and gratefulness. It is remembering who God is and what He has done to bring the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. It is song of thankfulness and celebration!

Dayeinu is a Hebrew term that simply means, “It would have been enough.”

In this song, the Jews reflect on God’s deliverance from slavery, His miracles on their behalf, and the wonder of His presence in their lives. The song has 15 stanzas around these three themes.

If God had only brought His people out of slavery, “It would have been enough!” But God did so much more than that.

If He had done nothing but feed them manna while they wandered in the wilderness, “It would have been enough!” If He had only built the temple in Jerusalem for them, “It would have been enough!”

If God had given only one gift, “It would have been enough!” But He piled one blessing on another.

“It is enough that I am alive!”

Does our worship thoughtfully reflect God’s abundance? If just one gift would have been enough, we are called to thankfulness. Given the bounty of His gifts, what should our worship and thankfulness be like?

As I listened to the homily, my heart was overwhelmed at the blessings of God. When, at the end of the teaching, the pastor asked our congregation to share a personal Dayeinu, I was overcome. I immediately stood to my feet and said, “It is enough that I am alive!”

At the time, I was recovering from a life-threatening medical event. I am very aware that I might have died and am grateful to God for His grace and mercy that, today, I am alive. How often I have taken my life for granted. But to be alive … this, in and of itself, is more than enough.

I am alive, and this is enough. Yet how much more has God poured His abundant blessing on my life. It is infinitely more than enough. Thank you, God!

The beauty of Dayeinu prompted me to do more study of the concept.

The Hebrew word דַּיֵּנוּ – Dayeinu, is composed of two words. “Day” is Hebrew for “enough”, and “enu,” the first-person plural suffix, means “to us.” The literal meaning is: “it would have been enough for us.”

The song was first sung about 1000 years ago. It is found in the Haggadah, the text of the order of the Passover Seder (the ceremony commemorating the Israelite deliverance from Egypt). Within the Seder, the Dayeinu is sung after the telling of the Exodus story and before the explanation of the Passover.

Dayeinu score it is enoughThe Dayeinu includes 15 stanzas structured around three elements of God’s blessing: leaving slavery, miracles, being with God. Here are all 15 stanzas:

Leaving slavery

1) If He had only brought us out of Egypt.

2) If He had only executed justice upon the Egyptians.

3) If He had only executed justice upon their gods.

4) If He had only slain their first-born.

5) If He had only given to us their health and wealth.

Miracles

6) If He had only split the sea for us.

7) If He had only led us through on dry land.

8) If He had only drowned our oppressors.

Hebrew scripture teaches Dayeinu it is enough9) If He had only provided for our needs in the wilderness for 40 years.

10) If He had only fed us manna.

Being with God

11) If He had only given us Shabba.

12) If He had only led us to Mount Sinai.

13) If He had only given us the Torah.

14) If He had only brought us into the land of Israel.

15) If He had only built the Temple for us.

Here is a YouTube audio of the Dayeinu as celebrated in Hebrew with English subtitles.

Take a moment to reflect on one of the things that God has done for you to which you can affirm “Dayeinu – It would have been enough!”

  • Darrow Miller

 

 

 

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About 
Darrow is co-founder of the Disciple Nations Alliance and a featured author and teacher. For over 30 years, Darrow has been a popular conference speaker on topics that include Christianity and culture, apologetics, worldview, poverty, and the dignity of women. From 1981 to 2007 Darrow served with Food for the Hungry International (now FH association), and from 1994 as Vice President. Before joining FH, Darrow spent three years on staff at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland where he was discipled by Francis Schaeffer. He also served as a student pastor at Northern Arizona University and two years as a pastor of Sherman Street Fellowship in urban Denver, CO. In addition to earning his Master’s degree in Adult Education from Arizona State University, Darrow pursued graduate studies in philosophy, theology, Christian apologetics, biblical studies, and missions in the United States, Israel, and Switzerland. Darrow has authored numerous studies, articles, Bible studies and books, including Discipling Nations: The Power of Truth to Transform Culture (YWAM Publishing, 1998), Nurturing the Nations: Reclaiming the Dignity of Women for Building Healthy Cultures (InterVarsity Press, 2008), LifeWork: A Biblical Theology for What You Do Every Day (YWAM, 2009), Rethinking Social Justice: Restoring Biblical Compassion (YWAM, 2015), and more. These resources along with links to free e-books, podcasts, online training programs and more can be found at Disciple Nations Alliance (https://disciplenations.org).

9 Comments

  1. Carlos Said Pires

    April 25, 2016 - 10:02 am

    I have never heard it before. Terrific!
    It is enough that I am alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • admin

      April 25, 2016 - 8:24 pm

      Thanks Carlos

  2. Dave Conner

    April 25, 2016 - 10:06 am

    Thank you, Darrow. Great reminder: “It is enough!”

    • admin

      April 25, 2016 - 8:25 pm

      It is enough! Thanks David

  3. Megan

    April 27, 2016 - 10:39 am

    Beautiful! I’m very glad you are alive as well! Dayeinu, it would have been enough to be saved but He gave us His Spirit to dwell in us!

    Blessings,

    Megan Burmester
    YWAM-LA

    • admin

      April 27, 2016 - 5:46 pm

      Thanks you Megan

  4. Kirby Rogers

    April 29, 2016 - 4:32 pm

    Jesus on the cross, said it is enough (finished)
    His act is enough
    Thanks Darrow

  5. Marlene Jara

    May 23, 2016 - 6:23 pm

    Gracias hermano Darrow siempre siendo portador de una palabra precisa.
    Gracias Dios porque estoy viva!

    • admin

      May 24, 2016 - 6:36 am

      Marlene, thanks for your comment.

      Thanks brother Darrow always being the bearer of a word accurate. Thank God because I am alive!

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