- With Wendy I have watched the film 'Exodus, Gods and Kings'
- I've also been reading, along with our church's virtual housegroup, the Book of Revelation, and have reached chapter 4.
Exodus, Gods and Kings
is a stunning film in terms of CGI effects, and brings ancient Egypt
dramatically alive.
(However, I wouldn't commend it for accuracy: it
deviates several times quite unnecessarily from the story as told in the
Bible.
I would like to have said to the producer "If it isn't broken, don't mend it!" The original story is quite compelling enough without any need to make changes to it).
I would like to have said to the producer "If it isn't broken, don't mend it!" The original story is quite compelling enough without any need to make changes to it).
The challenge which Moses made to Pharaoh - the leader of
the greatest nation on earth at the time, was quite extraordinary and
bold. "Let my people go." Release all the Hebrew slaves and allow them
to leave Egypt. As we know, Pharaoh refused, and ten great
plagues came upon Egypt. At this time of the covid19 pandemic, it is
helpful to be reminded that plagues are absolutely and totally under the
control of God. With hindsight we can see clearly why God sent the plagues on Egypt, and how
carefully orchestrated they were. It
all happened for a reason. It's not so clear to us yet why we are suffering a
worldwide pandemic today, but it is awe-inspiring to consider that God knows,
and is ultimately in control. It's at
such a time as this that turning to God, which Pharaoh did not do, would be such a good idea.
In the film, Pharaoh in his frustration shouts out "I am
God". Doubtless he thought he was,
in the way that so many absolute rulers down through the ages have done.
When I was reading Revelation ch 4, I came upon this verse:
There before me was a
throne in heaven, with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the
appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled
the throne.
The context makes it clear that this was the throne of God himself. Pharaoh's throne in ancient Egypt must have
been the most magnificent throne in the world at the time, occupied by an
autocratic ruler. But the throne in
heaven was, and is, occupied by one who draws our attention to the rainbow
encircling it. Why? This description is
in the last book of the Bible. In the
first book of the Bible, Genesis, we can find the answer. It wasn't a plague or pandemic that came - but something equally appalling: a worldwide flood.The description of the reason for the flood and its onset are described in chapter six. The sad fact was that only Noah and his family were at one with God: everyone else had turned away from God and were doing their own thing. After the flood was over,
God said to Noah and
his sons, "I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants and
with every living creature… Never again
will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a
flood to destroy the earth. I have set my rainbow in the clouds and it will be
a sign of the covenant between me and you and all life on earth. Whenever the
rainbow appears in the clouds I will see it and remember this covenant. (Genesis 9)
The rainbow encircling the throne is a sign and reminder
that the almighty creator of the world, (who can do whatever he wishes with his
creation), limits himself by his own promise that he will never again destroy
the world by a flood. It's a covenant of love and grace, in startling contrast
to the attitude of Pharaoh, whose only wishes were to retain his slaves, his wealth
and his prestige.
A final thought: there is a big contrast between the Flood and the current pandemic: the flood killed everyone who had rebelled against their creator, and a new beginning was made, based on one loyal family. Today's pandemic is nowhere near killing everybody, and already we see the first signs of new beginnings as the common danger brings out the best in so many people.
PS There is a good article in 'Christian Today' about turning to God in a time of crisis, at
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-antidote-for-despair/134788.htm
A final thought: there is a big contrast between the Flood and the current pandemic: the flood killed everyone who had rebelled against their creator, and a new beginning was made, based on one loyal family. Today's pandemic is nowhere near killing everybody, and already we see the first signs of new beginnings as the common danger brings out the best in so many people.
PS There is a good article in 'Christian Today' about turning to God in a time of crisis, at
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-antidote-for-despair/134788.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment