The Exodus event was primarily the journey from Egypt to Israel following the emancipation of the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt. The Exodus was important for two reasons. First, it was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and secondly, it created a platform where the Israelites could receive the Ten Commandments. In essence, God made two major commitments to Abraham. The first one was that he would be the father of many nations, and the second one was that his generation would inherit Canaan, the Promised Land (Niehaus, 2013). Therefore, the journey from Egypt to Israelites represented the beginning of a process that would see the nation of Israel inherit the infamous land of Canaan. Also, as Israelites’ faith wavered from time to time due to the harsh realities of the trip, God felt that it was the most opportune time to provide them with the Ten Commandments. As such, they would have a source of authority and guidance as they moved to the Promised Land.
Exodus chapters 21-23 significantly focus on the receipt of the Ten Commandments by Moses and how he delivered them to the people. In these verses, God portrays his character in many ways. First, he depicts his orderly persona by providing commandments which were essentially a unifying body of rules and codes that would govern civilized society. He also portrays his character as a loving God. Throughout chapter 21, some laws govern how people should peacefully coexist in society by shunning violence and the institution of slavery. God reveals himself as the custodian of justice when he provides the consequences awaiting those who break the law. He clearly stipulates punishment for those engaging in violence and people showing disrespect to their parents. Lastly, God reveals himself as jealous when he cautions people against providing sacrifices to other gods other than him.
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The Israelites’ behavior is stranger to me for a couple of reasons. First, they are impatient despite God’s revelation to them in many ways. They show a lack of faith when Moses goes on to bring the Ten Commandments prompting questions on their loyalty. Secondly, despite the many miracles God reveals through Moses, some Israelites questioned the authority of God due to the difficulties of the Exodus journey. Some even had the audacity to say that the Egypt life was better.
Reference
Niehaus, J. J. (2013). God's Covenant with Abraham. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 56(2), 249.
