A Note from Pastor Don: January 13, 2020 The second book of the Bible is named Exodus. Literally, in the Greek, Exodus means the way out, for it records the story of the Hebrews’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Moses led them out of slavery, across the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai where God took them to make covenant with those who were to be his people. But as with most of us, they remembered the past fondly, by filtering out the pain and misery. Now, at Sinai they had time to reflect on what had happened—the plagues, crossing the Sea, and walking miles through the desert. Moses had gone to the mountain belching fire and smoke. His return was delayed and the people assumed he had been killed. The question was, “What now?” The way ahead was unknown and fraught with dangers; the way back looked more inviting. Even enslaved they had food to eat. But no one knew the way. So, as Stephen said in his sermon in Acts 7, they decided to make themselves gods to lead them back. They contributed their gold they had brought out of Egypt, and out came a golden calf to lead them back. Join with Fifth Avenue Baptist Church this coming Sunday as we consider the ways—the way out and the way back. The Hebrews made the wrong choice, enthralled with their memories of the past. The way ahead is dangerous and unknown without a leader. Instead of making for ourselves gods to lead the way backward, we remember that Jesus called himself the way. He didn’t give us directions; he gave us himself.