As Sure as the Dawn(130)
Atretes felt his flesh tingle at Theophilus’ words. “Why didn’t Jesus come then instead of waiting so long?”
“I don’t know,” Theophilus said frankly. “I’ll never have all the answers I want. If I did, I could put God into a wineskin or an amphora. And then what sort of God would he be except one smaller than my own limited mind? God chooses the perfect time. Over and over in Scripture, we see how God teaches and tests man. From Creation to this moment, God offers salvation to any who wish it. A gift by grace, not something we earn.”
“Or appreciate,” Rizpah said quietly. “It struck me as you spoke, Theophilus. Jesus left his heavenly throne, his glory and honor, took the form of humble man. He suffered and died. For me.” She put her hand over her heart. “And what do I do? More often than not, I take my salvation for granted. I fill my mind with unimportant things, such as how long it’ll take to reach Atretes’ people and what they’ll think of me when we get there.” Her eyes grew moist. “Oh, that God would put it in my head and heart what he has done for me every morning as I awaken.”
“So be it,” Theophilus said, his voice gruff with emotion. How many times had he found himself caught up in plans for serving the Lord in the future, rather than praising him now. Too often, of late, they had arisen early, said a perfunctory prayer, and hastened on. It had taken Mattiaci warriors and Rizpah’s death to slow them down!
Atretes brushed Rizpah’s cheek, drawing her attention. “We will praise God first thing every morning.” She put her hand over his, her eyes shining with so much love that he felt the warmth of it spread through his entire body. He wanted her close against him and moved so that he was sitting behind her, legs drawn up on either side. He put one arm across her. She snuggled closer to him, her head back against his shoulder.
Theophilus continued his story. “The plague came at midnight and not one household in Egypt was left untouched by death. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and told them to get out, to go and worship God, and take their flocks with them. The Egyptians urged them to hurry, afraid all would die if the Hebrews didn’t go. They even gave them gifts of silver and gold as well. Six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from women and children, followed Moses from Rameses to Succoth, and a mixed multitude went with them, along with flocks and herds and livestock.”
“Egyptians?”
“Yes. Anyone who believes is God’s child,” Rizpah answered.
Theophilus smiled at her, then went on. “God told Moses that if any foreigner sojourned with them and was circumcised, they were to be treated as a native, for they had become part of the covenant. And God went before them, a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to give them light. For Pharaoh was hardened again and pursued them. When they came to the Red Sea, the people were terrified. Moses cried out to them, ‘The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.’ But God told him to go forth and to stretch out his staff over the sea, and when he did so, the ocean divided. The Hebrews crossed over on dry land, and the pillar of cloud moved behind them. Pharaoh and his army tried to follow, but the moment the last Hebrew stepped on dry land, the water descended, destroying the Egyptians and their horses and chariots, thus giving glory to God in all of Egypt.”
Theophilus told of how the people grumbled as they traveled and God gave them manna from heaven to eat, and quail by the thousands when they complained about the manna. God was angered by the people, but Moses pleaded for them. Moses went up onto Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments. Atretes listened intently as Theophilus listed each and then went on to tell of the establishing of law, the sabbaths, the feasts, and the firstfruit offerings. He told of the making of the ark of the covenant, in which was placed the testimony of God and a portion of manna as well as Aaron’s staff that budded.
“Below the mountain, the people sinned mightily and made graven images of the gods they had worshiped in Egypt.” He told of the grumbling, of God’s patience and provision, and also of his justice in punishing the people. Still there was rebellion. Aaron and Miriam spoke against their brother, Moses, questioning his right to leadership. God made Miriam leprous, healing her when Moses cried out to God on her behalf.
“When they reached the Promised Land, still the people didn’t change. Twelve spies were sent into the land, ten reporting the people who inhabited it were giants and too strong to conquer. Only Joshua and Caleb said they should obey the Lord and go up and take possession of the land.”