In Exodus 14, we see the scene made famous in Charlton Heston’s (real name: John Charles Carter) Ten Commandments. I must admit that even as a child when I was a Muslim, I found this scene fascinating. When I look back at the special effects aspect of it now, I must admit that it is quite primitive in its realism. That being said, the actual historic event that took place that day was enormous in its significance. It serves as a physical reminder of the literal, but more importantly spiritual, crossing over into freedom. It was a landmark event that paved the way for a new exodus of the people of God (Isaiah 40) and serves as a constant reminder of the deliverance from bondage and human failure (as some wanted to go back to a state of slavery). It reminds me of some people who grew up in the church and left. When asked why they don’t come back to Christ, they state that they realize coming back to Christ would require them to stop doing the sinful things they want to do. Humanity is unrepentant and forgetful of the joys of God and is naturally inclined to the desires of sin.

In Exodus 32, we see the epitome of Israel’s sinfulness and unabashed forgetfulness in the form of idolatry. They had forgotten what God had done and turned away from …