I've been reading in Exodus this last week or so. The early portions of Exodus are familiar ones to me. I've many times begun the book. Plus there is the TBS standard "The Ten Commandments." So, guess what I'm saying is, I know about "let my people go." Or I think I do.
One of my goals over the last couple years has been to give God's voice words. Seems generous of me.
I've many times complained that following God's way, doing God's will, hey- just KNOWING what God wants me to do in this situation or that one- would be so much *easier* if He'd just speak! Being the "philosopher" that I am, I extended the complaint with further analysis: Speaking is done by way of words. Words are understood and translated. What might qualify as "speaking"? As "words"? And dimly at first, then brighter, God's words became more and more audible. Not forgetting that "more and more" indicates a relative relationship: I'm not saying it's always Big Guy: "Thus and such; copy?" and Sean: "Affirmative, 'Thus AND such.' roger that, Lord, you're 5x5, loud and clear."
But it's getting better. Because I'm trying to get God's word to be God's Word. Get it?
So I'm trying to read the Bible as if it could possibly have some relevance to my life. But I also want to be careful not to "over spiritualize-a-fy" what I read by importing some kind of significance that is so far-fetched that even God would scratch his head. There's a problem.
What in the world does a pack of Jews wandering (NOT to be confused with a pack of Wandering Jews) the desert have to do with ice on the driveway and kids that are restless from being inside for too long (and it's not even Christmas!). What I mean is how does the record of Exodus speak to my problems today. My today problems?
---
Here I must depart from my journey from Egypt to God's holy mountain. I leap into the future, about 2000 pages. I have to have hope. You can't accuse me of over-spiritualizing-a-fication, but feel free to point and shout "PROOF_TEXTER!"
Because Faith is hope for something that is unseen. Because how can I hope for something that I already have? but rather, I will hope for something which I don't have.
My point is this; I'll read Exodus today, and I'll read it tomorrow, and someday I'll be reading something else; James or Jude. As I expand my catalog of God's words, God's Word will speak into my current situation with greater clarity and specificity. And I have faith that as my mental catalog of God's words expands, God's Word to me will also expand; become more and more detailed. More and more instructive. More and more audible.
I've seen it happen. All I used to remember of Exodus was "let my people go" or else God'll hammer you clear into next week. But yesterday I read something: "and You will be as God to pharoah." Adonai was speaking to Moses out of the burning bush, explaining to him how he was to go out and free God's people.
Will Moses acquire some kind of elusive temporary deity card? Part time pass to the upper level of the Northwest SkyClub?
Oh man, it was pretty much a flashlight going off in my eyeball. God was informing Moses that he would represent God. He would be the image of God's authority. The local authority standing between the government of Egypt, the world's most prolific political power, and God himself.
Suddenly, I saw a new example of continuity between the "Old Testament" community of Israel and the "New" testament community of the Church. We (the Church) are called to be God to the world. For Moses that meant explaining that God was God-- not Pharaoh. It was a formal introduction of sorts.
For us, it is a ministry of reconciliation. No longer are the Jews alone invited to share with God in communion. It is no longer Moses against Pharaoh. Through Jesus' righteousness and sacrifice, the veil is torn, the doors thrown open. The legacy of Moses is now reaching out to the pharaohs of our world-- those who were once in darkness are called into light.
We are to be as God to the world... desiring that no one should perish, but that all should be saved.
Wow. All that from a pack of wandering Jews. I mean jews, wandering.
