The Chosen People

 

I would like to quote a description by the editors to the reader in The New American Bible; the description is of The Book of Exodus that follows the introduction: “This second book of the Pentateuch is called Exodus from the Greek word for ‘departure,’ because the central issue narrated in it is the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. It continues the history of the chosen people where the point where the Book of Genesis leaves off. It recounts the oppression by the Egyptians of the ever-increasing descendants of Jacob and their miraculous deliverance by God through Moses, who led them across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai where they entered into a special covenant with the Lord.

 

These events were of prime importance to the chosen people, for they became thereby an independent nation and enjoyed a unique relationship with God. Through Moses God gave the Israelites at Mount Sinai the ‘law’: the moral, civil and ritual legislation by which they were to become a holy people, in whom the promise of a Savior for all mankind would be fulfilled.”

 

My response: these Roman Catholic editors describes three liberations for the Israelites. First, through Moses, Yahweh delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh and helped them reach Sanai where they would build their own independent nation.

 

They were liberated from sin (if they chose to lead virtuous, pious lives) and chaos, after Yahweh established a covenant between the people and himself.

 

Third, Yahweh promised his people a Savior who would die for their sins, clearing the way for all people to enter the kingdom of heaven.