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.