Yesterday I gave the homily for the Third Sunday of Advent. These are the notes for those present who wanted to access them:

“Out of Egypt: Exile, Exodus, and Jesus”

Hosea 11.1-11

Matthew 2.13-15

Introduction:

 

Exile is something with which many of us are mostly unfamiliar, but with which many people in the world know all too well.

–         Displaced people due to war or famine

–         The plight of the immigrant

 

Exile: “It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home”. –Edward W. Said

Israel‘s history

– Adam and Eve “exiled” from Egypt

– In Genesis 37-50 we find the story of Joseph wherein Abraham’s descendants are exiled because of a famine, but they find relief in Egypt.

– In Exodus 1.8 we read, “A new king arose who did not know Joseph…”

– Egypt as “home” quickly became Egypt as exile again.

– The Hebrews became slaves in Egypt for over four hundred years before Moses was sent to free them.

– At the Exodus they were freed from slavery and they were eventually brought into the land that had been given to Abraham. God established them as a nation, but they forgot God often worshiping pagan deities.

Hosea’s prophecy (read Hosea 11.1-11)

– By the time of Hosea’s prophecy the nation was split into the ten tribes of Israel and two of Judea.

– Hosea prophecies against Israel primarily.

– Israel had become accustom of worshiping deities like Baal. Baal was a word for “lord” or “master” and it was used of a variety of deities in the Ancient Near East.

– Israel calling another god “Baal” when she was married to YHWH God was the equivalent to infidelity in the marriage relationship. Israel was cheating on God with other gods.

– In 11.1-11 Hosea serves as YHWH’s spokesperson reminding Israel of how he delivered them from slavery in Egypt, but how he would let them go back before someday giving them a ‘new Exodus’ of restoration.

– Israel and Judah’s disobedience resulted in exile into Assyria and Babylon.

– Eventually there was a new Exodus from Babylon, but for many things never seemed quite right, something was missing.

– Pagan nations ruled over the Jews—including the Greeks and Romans.

Matthew’s interpretation (read Matthew 2.13-15)

– Context: Herod seeks to kill the baby Jesus, the angel warns Joseph, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus into Egypt until Herod dies.

– Jesus embodies the “return from Egypt”, the end of exile.

– He is “Jesus” = YHWH saves. Immanuel = God with us.

– Our God saves. God saves from slavery and exile. God provides a home, a family, and a land.

Conclusion:

–         In Jesus God has enacted the greatest exodus. We have been removed from the exile cause by Satan and we are marching toward the New Jerusalem—New Heavens, New Earth.

–         This plight should make us more aware of exile around us. We experience a sort of exile now as we await the Second Advent.