The Book of Exodus
Fall 2003 Bible Study

Exodus: The End

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

It was a bittersweet kind of feeling at the ol country church tonight and kind of a bittersweet experience of Exodus over all. Over the three months or so of our study, two members of our community lost their fathers and on the eve of our final gathering another member lost her husband. We have shared much sweetness and lively growth and also tasted tough and bitter roots. Somehow it does fit and there is peace as we continue our journey.

We were blessed tonight with the presence of a new parishioner and bible study member. Welcome Debra!

We opened with a lovely reading from Psalms and also a spontaneous prayer with heart for Jim and Vi and families.

Also we received a handout written by Daniel B. Holmquist, a relative of Harlan's', that introduces the book of Exodus to those about to begin its study. It is a helpful and informative outline. If you didn't get one ask Harlan about it.

Our heart-oriented facilitator then handed us a "Summary of Exodus" and away we went. We do not have an electronic copy so we will include a few of the meaty paragraphs. We took turns reading and were free to ask questions and discuss anything that struck us.

The foundation of the Jewish faith is the journey of Exodus. The Historical exodus occurred around 1250 BCE. The narrative was not put in final from until the 5th or 6th century BCE. Genuine freedom and fullness of life was the divinely inspired purpose of both Moses and Jesus and it is the goal of all who follow in the footsteps.

The Exodus event is ancient, yet always new. It is the foundational event in which Israel came to know Yahweh and to know themselves as a people. It is the experience from which we continue to know who God is and what it means to be God's people.

The recital of the Exodus narratives is always a call to new hope.

The whole complex of affirmations about God found in the law, the prophets, the psalms and the Gospels is rooted in the Exodus event. God isn't abstract, static, and impartial; the God revealed in Exodus liberates, enlivens, redeems, calls, negotiates, forgives, challenges and journeys. God is revealed in the real, human events of history.

The goal of the priestly narratives of the Dwelling is reached - "that I may dwell in their midst" (25:8) When all was ready, God fulfilled the divine promise and came to dwell among the people of Israel. The conclusion of Exodus thus begins the corporate worship of Yahweh by the people of Israel.

The conclusion of Exodus also anticipates Israel's ongoing journey through the wilderness and the entry into the land of God's promise. Yahweh is a God on the move, as unpredictable as the clouds, as uncontained as fire. God's presence guides and protects the people of God as the journey continues. (We all are aware the journey continues in Numbers and Deuteronomy, right?)

Israel's foundational story, which had begun with the people's bondage to an unchanging system and to the oppressive presence of Pharaoh, now concludes with Israel in the service of the God who journeys with them, who cannot be held bound, who invites them to the ever-new challenges of freedom. God who is the source and sustainer of all life, now dwells among the people to give them abundance of life on the journey to full life. As the story is retold in every generation, the people of God are called into covenant with the God of freedom and life. They are liberated and enlivened as the journey continues in every age.

Questions

  1. Have you ever been held bondage to an unchanging system and to the oppressive presence of a Pharaoh? Or, What has bound you and how did you gain freedom?
  2. When/how did you leave what is secure and strike out on the journey?
  3. In Exodus, God reveals self on the mountain, in the desert and the burning bush. What or where is your mountain, desert or natural wonder where you have experienced God?
  4. Father Fred Maples says, "People have an experience of God. Then they get scared, start doubting themselves and back away." Can you relate?
  5. God chooses and commissions Moses an unlikely individual for a difficult task. Moses objects. Who am I? Slow to speak, etc. and finally, "if you please, Lord, send someone else." He was overwhelmed with his own unworthiness even after God repeatedly told him, "I will be with you." What have you been called to do? What is the Big Dream God has chosen for you? There is something unique you have to offer. Nobody can replace you. What are you waiting for to do?
  6. The Red sea parting is clearly an image of birthing a new people. Have you ever passed through the waters to new life?
  7. What has the study of Exodus done for you personally?
At this point we counted off into groups of four with the invitation to pick one question or more and go away alone and write about it, color or draw about it or meditate upon it. This we did for about twenty minutes that went by rather quickly and at eight o clock sharp it was time for treats.

I don't know how we do it or why we deserve it but the nature of the treats is completely outta control. And that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Now I don't know what's up with me these days (inner ear again?) but I was a bit sluggish getting over to the snack bar and when I arrived there was a line a mile long. Let me tell you that it was well worth the wait. We were blessed again with another scrumptious desert, prepared with loving hands in the time-honored tradition of the wood-burning oven in the rugged but beautiful landscape of the human heart type-of-deal. Come again?

Let's call this dish the old-fashioned fireside fruit cobbler. It is like the kind of deal grandma and grandpa used to make only with a spectacular combination of Oregon cherries and Washington apples! Are you kidding me! This is a masterful mixture of the rich-n-tart (kind of like Exodus!) that fires the taste buds and also puts a definite hitch in the giddy up. The bountiful sauce is almost creamy with a hint of cinnamon and several other top-secret spice combinations we can only guess at. Even the color, a dark ruby red, is quite spectacular. And did we mention the crust? Excuse me. I need to lie down for a minute....whew, ok, yes, the crust! Sparkling with a sugary and buttered glaze the crust was crisp and performed a seamless and complete meltdown upon entering the delivery system.

Now, imagine all that wonder topped off with a scoop or two of Edys Grand Vanilla ice cream. Well, we didn't imagine it, we did it and the combination was stunning. We're living a dream and we're hard pressed to be more grateful.

We gathered in our small groups to discuss what we did during our quiet time and shared many wonderful and some difficult things. As mom said we tend to be a very vocal and often cerebral group and so we accepted the invitation to move into our hearts and were rewarded. Thanks mom!

We closed our time together with a sharing of our small group discussions and closed with a reflection by our good old cousin Henry Nouwen and another reading that tied in with our Rabbi friend from two weeks ago.

We also shared a blessing ceremony for Jeanne and Rita and Jeff who will be traveling with a group to Haiti on Saturday. We thank them for their service and pray for a safe return.

Next week is the Potluck that begins at 6:30. Bring anything so long as not everybody brings baked beans. The wine and champagne are covered but that is all we know so far.

December 16, those who want will be meeting in the Parish Center at 7 for the reading of the Infancy Narratives and sharing of Christmas stories, memories and dreams.

Cousins, it has been a truly remarkable journey through exodus and you are a fine group of fellow travelers.

Hanta Yo!
Rik
(612) 872-8694

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