To whom does primary allegiance belong? To great human empires, or to the God whose elusive presence we can never fully grasp?

Waldemar Janzen offers a fresh approach to the book of Exodus. The liberation from Egypt is a prelude to Israel’s unique calling to model before the nations a new life of service under God. Exodus portrays how God, through his servant Moses, wages a dramatic battle with Egypt’s mighty ruler for the release of enslaved Israel. The watching Israel wavers: “Is the Lord among us or not?” Even after Israel covenants to be God’s priestly kingdom and holy nation, Israel worships a golden calf. Once more God’s grace wrests Israel away, this time from slavery to doubts, fears, and self-centeredness. The people then focus faith on the imageless presence of God in their midst. God still wrestles for his people today.