Shimmering Points August 21st

This week's shimmering points of Scripture took us to The Beginning of Exodus Chapters 1 and 2. This is the account of the Birth of Moses.

Our discussion began with the use of the word "numerous." Numbers play a big roll in the Exodus story and it all starts from the very beginning. In Genesis we talked about Joseph and how he rose to prominence in Egypt (the world superpower at the time) and how through Joseph, Israel was spared in a time of famine and drought. Now in Exodus it is a time when the Hebrews became quite comfortable in Egypt, but there was a new Pharaoh who was not comfortable with them. This Pharaoh had no knowledge of Joseph for whatever reason, and the large number of Hebrews living in Egypt made him nervous and even a little paranoid. He feared an uprising by them and an overthrow of his people and his power, even though we are given no reason why he came to this conclusion other than his own paranoia and fear. So in response he dealt with them harshly, set taskmasters over them, and made them do hard physical labor. Yet still their numbers continued to grow and they thrived despite all of this. It was pointed out how we have a similar situation in this country, with our history of slavery and the events leading up to the civil war. It was also pointed out that even today we may still struggle with these issues as it relates to immigration policies in the United States. The story is written so that we identify with the Hebrews right away, yet at the same time we can just as easily be identified by people outside the church, with Pharaoh. What is God saying us today as we read this passage?

The second point of our discussion was "Complicity." Pharaoh seeing his first plan did not work, then orders more drastic measures. He orders all the Egyptian midwives to kill any male children, born to the Hebrews. This is a way to keep their numbers low but also so they would not grow to be men and rise up against him. But we are told that there are two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah (the only names besides Moses we are given in the story), who would not comply with this order. We are told they feared God and because of this they would not comply. When asked why by Pahroah, they become complicit in their own conspiracy, and they play upon Pharoah's ignorance and stereotype by stating that the Hebrews give birth too quickly before they arrive so that is why there are still male children running around. So we discussed the importance of this lie they tell, and their failure to comply with the law,and how do we reconcile that with being truthful held as a Christian virtue. It was pointed out that many times in the Old testament and the new, God's plan is accomplished by people being less than truthful, yet in the same token holding fast to the Truth about God. Our non compliance does not have to necessarily be a lie, but should always be seeking God's truth. When do we set aside laws of humanity when they conflict with God's law and will, and when is it appropriate to use cunning and complicity vs. outright protest?

Finally we discussed the Deception that takes place with Moses himself. When the order to the Midwives does not work for Pharaoh, he makes a grand proclamation that any person who finds a Hebrew boy is to throw them into the Nile river. We notice then, that there is still a subtle element of complicity with Moses mother. She actually, when unable to hide Moses any more, does what Pharaoh commands. She puts Moses in the river. However, she places him in a watertight basket and is very strategic about where she puts him in the river, where Pharaoh's daughter happens to be bathing. Then the deception really begins. Moses older sister follows along and is at the ready to get a wet nurse for the child, when Pharaoh's daughter discovers him. So Moses mother is brought to her and she offers to pay Moses Mother to nurse and raise the child until he was ready to join the household. Talk about a Ponzie Scheme! So Moses life was preserved by a deception, but in the same token, this deception would turn out to preserve and protect all of Israel through his leadership. It was pointed out again, that this situation is still going on today. What we have come to know as ethnic cleansing is still in our world from Hitlers Germany to the countries in Africa today. How do we as Christians respond to such events, and how are we in some ways enabling them without knowing it, because we are too comfortable. What deceptive ways is God using among the people there, to raise up new leaders who will overcome such oppression and atrocity? How do we have hope in the midst of such great despair? It was also pointed out the parallel with Jesus birth as accounted in Matthew and how to escape the same fate, Jesus went to Egypt with his family. It is in him of course we find our ultimate hope.

Fell free to share your comments and thoughts as you continue to reflect on this passage.