Episode 193: Violence in the Bible, Part 2--Exodus and the Plagues

Lots of people know the story of the Exodus--from the miraculous parting of the sea to the dramatic rise of deliverer Moses to the powerful signs of judgment against Pharaoh's Egypt known as the ten plagues.  It's a saga many know, not only from Sunday School lessons in childhood, but also multiple movies that have colored our imaginations.  But the story of the plagues sent on Egypt is more complicated that the singing-cartoon or Cecil B. DeMille versions many grew up with.  While the plagues are seen as a way of finally forcing Pharaoh's hand to let the enslaved Hebrews go, they also bring a lot of collateral damage on the people of Egypt, who are only indirectly a part of the enslavement of the Hebrews.  They suffer along with Pharaoh--what do we do about that, especially in light of our learning last week that God values each and every human life by virtue of being made in the image of God?  What what do we do with the biblical refrain that God hardened Pharaoh's heart to push the conflict toward increasingly dramatic stakes?  And what do we do when modern-day religious voices declare themselves to be self-appointed prophets who declare that present-day natural disasters are God's judgment or punishment on people?  How do we read the story of the Exodus without giving ourselves permission to see every fire, earthquake or hurricane as a plague sent against someone we don't like?  These are the kinds of questions that we'll explore in this episode of "Crazy Faith Talk" as pastors Erica, Sarah, and Steve gather around the table.  Join us for the conversation!