Exodus, according to the Jewish Study Bible, "is arguably the most important book in the Bible since it presents the seminal events in Israel's history and the definitive institutions of its religion, themes that have reverberated through all subsequent Jewish and Western history." The enslavement of the Hebrews, their liberation through Moses, the deliverer, and their subsequent 40 years of wandering in the wilderness make great drama. (Watch out ~ I hear Batman is set to play Moses in the next movie version!) But what does the Exodus mean to us today? Here are three takeaways from Exodus:
1. God is involved in our lives, but usually in mysterious, confusing ways. Moses is another example of an obscure child that has a great destiny. Like the Savior, he is born into a humble home and must be hidden to save his life. Miraculous things happen to put him in the unique position to represent his people. (Without his upbringing in Pharoah's household, could he have even gotten an audience with the great king?) The Old Testament is chock full of these stories, where the small and the simple are used to make great things happen. So if you are confused about your life, but you are trying to do what is right, don't despair, you may be on the right track after all. It just may be a "40 year" journey before you find out where you are headed!
2. There is a big difference between miracles and magic tricks. Moses is given the power to work miracles, and Pharoah's magicians are able to copy several of them. The sorcerers are unable, however, to do anything positive or creative; they can only make more of the bad stuff. These days we have our own set of sorcerers and the Internet is the box of magic tricks. It can give you the illusion of learning, when you are only browsing. It can give you the illusion of privacy, when in reality unseen people are watching and tracking your habits. And above all, it offers both the worst and the best that people are creating, almost effortlessly. As parents and influencers, it is important to teach our children the difference between miracles and magic. Miracles heal the soul, inspire and give strength to do what is right. Magic tricks tend to shock and awe, which leads to a need for greater shock and awe, and eventually to an addiction to the rush. Pharaoh got the difference too late, and his loss was great.
3. The commandments are conditions of a covenant. The Ten Commandments are modeled after the ancient treaties that were established between overlords and their vassals. The formal style signaled to this mixed group of Israelites and other enslaved people who left with them that God was serious about a relationship. He would guard and protect and bless them on condition of their obedience to certain stipulations. As the narrative unfolds we will see how the Israelites become mired in the minutiae of the commandments and lose sight of the covenant relationship. Could this happen to us? When I asked our class to discuss the difference between covenants and commandments one sister responded, "Commandments are open to interpretations. You can argue about them all day. A covenant is simple. You are either in or you're out."
Would you describe yourself as a covenant person? One whose relationship with God is not based on scorekeeping, but on loving promises that have been exchanged? Exodus gives us a lot to think about in our own journey, and much to apply that may save us wasted time and sorrow. As one Rabbi said, "In every generation one should look upon himself as if he, personally, had gone out of Egypt."
