Paradigmatics Of Exodus

How and why did exodus become a paradigmatic event both within the Old Testament and outside of the Bible? What is the enduring attraction of exodus? How can exodus as a paradigm be applied to someone's personal or communal situation? Post your reflection to the Discussion Forum labeled Module 2.3-Exodus by Sunday 2/1/15.


Exodus – how it became a paradigmatic event, and why?
Boadt states that “The exodus marks the real beginning of the history of Israel as a people.” (127) Exodus refers to the departure from Egypt by the people of God, who traveled into the desert of Sinai. Exodus is a paradigmatic event both in and out of the Bible. It is a recurring biblical theme involving God's people emigrating in search of the land or situation they
We are born as Moses was, and as he was called, so are we in baptism. We struggle to free ourselves from our enslaving vices, habitual sins, and oppressive circumstances. Furthermore, the socio-political situations we find ourselves in apparently subdue us; the unpleasant emotions that accompany the trials and tribulations that we encounter usually afflict us; and the overwhelming struggle to live by faith and with faith regularly shake us. After trying and failing numerous times—and realizing that we have exhausted all options—we cry out to God to help us, to free, and to save us. At the right time, the Lord God responds and comes with power to liberate, heal, and transform us. However, the danger still exists. We stumble, fall, and sin again. But then we remember what God has done, and we rise again. We turn from the occasions of sin, and turn toward God with surrender and abandonment. In our resolve to please God, we respond to God's invitation to form (and renew) a bond of love, trust, and fidelity that would not be broken. God instructs us on how to live, and we strive to live this new life with God who has freed and saved us from our godless
Our exodus is from this earthly land to our heavenly home. We don't belong here forever—God prepares for us the promised land. Certainly, we are like the people of Israel, but we are also like Pharaoh. Sometimes we are hard-hearted. Many times we—including our loved ones—encounter various plagues of temptations that are not sent by God, but by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Our resistance to these things ought to accompany our belief in the Almighty God, who desires the purity and holiness of heart of His people. We cry out, “Let my people go,” (Ex. 9:13) and seek from God's hands the socio-political, emotional, and spiritual freedom we need. We have done this often in life, for this exodus event is from womb to tomb. Within this life, the moments of slavery, petition, freedom, promise, human infidelity, and restored covenantal relationship are cyclical. Nonetheless, we can hold on to hope, for God is our