Redemption and re-creation in Exodus: a model of how God restores human dignity with implications for church and society

Abstract

The Exodus from Egypt was a defining moment in the history of Israel. They "were promised nationhood, but that required the sense of being a people, united" in their historical origin, religion and sovereignty over a particular location. By the time of the exodus, the issue of historical origin was entrenched, but" religion and land were still outstanding issues. God s act of redemption was also an act of re–creation that would correct their identity as a self–governed people and facilitate their movement to a land that would become theirs. Both these outcomes – freedom and movement – are contributory factors towards the recovery of their human dignity. The developments emanating from God s redemptive act show that the purpose of it was the restoration of their human dignity through re–creation and the gift of land. The contemporary applicability requires the same faith that is willing to submit to the re–creative and leading capabilities of God; as the possession of property alone is unable to provide human dignity. The re–creative and leading God is providing the vindication "and hope for human dignity. In this article, we wish to show that the redeemed" "community is, by virtue of re–creation, a model for society of how God requires" human dignity and is able to restore it.