Enslavement
Once God had brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, before giving them the Law
they were going to live under, God gives the people the Ten Commandments.
The first commandment reestablishes God’s authority over the Israelites. “I am Adonai
your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery.” (Exodus
20:2 CJB)
The second commandment says there was no need for an idol in order
to worship God. Idols led to idolatry, something that stood in the way
of the people connecting to God directly. They had seen enough
idolatry in Egypt. It could not go on in the Promised Land.
The third commandment reaffirms God as the authoritative judge in all things. No one can
“bear false witness” in God’s name, or use God’s name in a superficial manner. The
Pharaoh had treated God casually and look what it got him.
Having reestablished God’s leadership and authority, God next turns to … resting? With
all the other commandments to get to – honor mom and dad, don’t murder, don’t lie – God
starts with the Sabbath. God goes into great details about who needs to participate in the
Sabbath.
“On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son
or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your
livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates
to your property.” (Exodus 20:10 CJB)
God tells us it because God created everything in six days and
then rested on the seventh. That is why the Sabbath makes it to
the Ten Commandments and rest should be treated as holy. God rested and so should we.
Perhaps another reason God came out with the Sabbath so early was that God’s people had
no Sabbath for many generations.
The Israelites had been slaves for hundreds of years. They had a slave mentality that
everyone worked, men, women and children. Even their animals!
But God comes in and says to them “You are no longer slaves. Rest.”
God had heard their cries and brought them out of slavery. Now it was time for the people
to get slavery out of their minds. One way was the Sabbath, a day of rest. Of doing
nothing! As far from enslavement as can be.
Is there something that has ensnared you and made you its slave?
Your computer, work, TV, hubris?
God not only saves and nourishes you, God can provide for your rest.
Start with five minutes then gradually go up to a day. Spend five minutes not doing
anything just resting. Once you can accomplish five minutes of rest, try ten minutes. All
the while of course, communicating with God.
It is not just mediation, but an interaction between you and God. It is you letting go of
your slavery and God taking it from you. Rest provides the space needed for this work
between you and God to take place.
The United Methodist Church Foundation Team wishes you a blessed week!
Rhodes Logan, Vice President for Development
Andrew Jordan, Development Assistant
Teresa Suarez, Donor Services Coordinator
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Foundation News
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We pray you have a blessed week!