i
The Children of Israel go up from Egypt armed. Yet even so God led them not through… the land of the Pelishtim:… lest they see war and return to Egypt.
*
Though the Children of Israel are soldiers, they do not fight.
ii
Then Egypt threatens to drown the Children of Israel in the sea. Israel cries out to God and God saves them, splitting the sea.
*
Then Israel is thirsty, saying: What shall we drink? God gives them drinkable water.
*
Then Israel is hungry, telling Moses: You have brought us… into this wilderness, to kill this whole congregation with hunger.
And God gives Israel the mann: food from heaven.
*
Then Israel is thirsty again. It demands water for us and our children and our cattle. And again God gives Israel water.
*
Then Amalek comes to do war.
And Israel finally goes out to war, beating Amalek back.
ii
The
Children of Israel learn that that they want to live; that they have
thirst; that they are hungry; that they want to protect their children
and their wealth.
They learn what is at stake in their life.
They learn, then, what it is to be human.
*
They learn, too, that it is God who provides for all their needs.
iii
They learn what they need. They learn that it is God Who provides for these needs.
It is only then that they are ready for their encounters with the world.
It is only then that are they battle-ready.
~~~~~
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