Leviticus shaped the community of ancient Israel as they sought to draw near to God and longed for God to draw near to them.

For 2000 years, a miraculous, unanticipated story of resurrection after death has been passed down, from generation to generation. This story of Jesus' victory over death changes us into resurrection people, a people who can look at the darkest moments and believe in hope and life.

Each time we come to a festival, there are themes, terms, symbols, and feelings that are deeply familiar. The revolution of Jesus is that while some elements resonate, the past interpretations and understandings are dissonant with what Jesus was advancing. Our challenge is to ensure we're in the same "key" as Jesus, to listen carefully to how our lives resonate, not with our own understandings, but with the Jesus Way.

Fleeing the tyrannical dictatorship of Egypt, the Israelites voluntarily enter into a covenant with God to create a new nation, different from everything the world had ever known. In Egypt, like in many nations, power was concentrated into the hands of the few while the many were enslaved. But God calls us to embody a wholly different world, shaped by philosophical, political, theological and legal guidelines that create a just, good, and merciful society. The covenant at Sinai shaped ancient Israel and everyone who passed through on the way. The Sinai covenant shaped Jesus and brought him into conflict with the tyrannical powers of his day. Sinai is the birthplace of the politics of freedom. Freedom from tyranny and freedom for a worldwide good.

Pharaoh finally relents and allows the Israelites to leave Egypt ... but regrets his choice immediately. Caught between the pursuing Egyptian army and a sea before them, the Israelites experience God as King and ruler over all.

Exodus presents us with the first head-to-head showdown between an oppressive empire and God’s people. Stopping Pharaoh and the evil forces behind him is hard, hardening, and costly. “There was blood everywhere.” This brutal confrontation culminates in Israel’s birth, which also gives birth to “redemption,” “salvation,” and “Passover” – themes that find their fulfillment in Jesus.

As we continue our exploration of the Hebrew Scriptures in Exodus, we will be challenged to set aside the cultural programming of the images, movies, and assumptions about Moses, Pharaoh, the parting waters, and the 10 commandments. An often overlooked major theme found in the minor characters and elements of the story reveal a revolutionary strategy of how the way of establishing justice is often much like giving birth. As such, we ought to learn from those experts who know all about giving birth in challenging and seemingly impossible times.

We conclude our journey through the book of Genesis with the story of Josep, a story of family, forgiveness and survival.