Biblical Narratives of Slavery and Exile... the difference?

Hi!

Early this morning I was meditating upon Jeremiah 16: 14-15 -

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."

and I thought how odd it was that we, as Christians, know the narrative of the Israelites' flight from Egypt backwards... but don't know the narrative of their return from Babylonian exile quite as well. And when I thought about it, I realised one thing. The narrative of the flight from Egypt and the 40-year wandering in the wilderness was probably written down by Moses after the events had taken place. The question is, was this narrative filtered through Moses' consciousness? Did his own participation in the event - beginning to end - contribute to the narrative's structure? And thus giving the narrative a proper beginning, middle and end... making it a plain good story.

Of course, like all Christians I too believe that the Spirit of God dictated the Bible - Genesis to Revelation - and the different prophets and scribes merely wrote down what they were shown. But we know that Jeremiah, when he was called to be a prophet, was shown what was a rod of an almond tree. He was asked to describe it. When he recognised what he was shown correctly, he was commended - "Thou hast seen well". So the prophet's mind is important as a tool that receives the prophecy. I feel Moses would have been able to use what God showed him (about what happened in the Garden of Eden for instance) as also his own narrative as of someone who was in the thick of things.

The narrative for the Babylonian exile is different from the Egyptian one. The narrative of this latter event in history is scattered. The major prophets - all three of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel I think - foretold the carrying away of the Israelites as captives to Babylon. The event, when it finally happens, is recorded almost dispassionately by Jeremiah. The books of Daniel and Esther record events that took place during the exile in the courts of the foreign rulers. Scribes Ezra and Nehemiah record the rebuilding of the Temple. You'd need to be a very ardent scholar to apply your mind, place the scattered pieces together and get the complete picture of this huge event. Does it matter that, unlike in the Egyptian narrative, there is no one human who was there in the beginning, middle and end... to tell the story in one piece?

The Jews no doubt hand down complete stories of these two events to their generations.

Answer to my Prayers

In Toni Morrison's Sula, a little girl, Nel, prays, "I want... I want to be... wonderful. Oh, Jesus make me wonderful." In The Bluest Eye by the same author, a little black girl had prayed for blue eyes. Why do Morrison's characters never have their prayers answered? I'm re-reading some of her books and this question keeps popping into my head.

I too know a thing or two about unanswered prayers. Ten years ago, while studying at film school, I had dedicated myself to God. I prayed and said to God that I wanted to use my talents for His greater glory. I've never made a film since. I also asked for a life partner. I'm still single.

A couple of years ago I spoke about this to a Cor Episcopa (I belong to the Indian Orthodox Church) and he told me, "Cast your net on the other side." Subsequently I've tried to study more, get another job, travel... Stonewalled everywhere.

And yesterday, on Christmas, I was thinking about all this and praying. Then I opened the Bible and found Ezekiel 4:8 before my eyes. "And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege." Yes I've read the verse before and there was even a time when I used to wonder if it applied to me. (My mother says when you pray and open the Bible at random you come upon what's in your own heart at that moment.) Yesterday this verse was very far from my mind and I was astonished. 

Before I end I want to add that there was a time when I was unsure if Jesus is merely the Son of God and a very high prophet or if he is God Himself. But you know how faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God. I now believe Jesus is King of kings, Lord of lords, Master of masters and the one who is in the midst of the throne and, yet, the one who takes the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne - o mystery - and that this Jesus is God. (Revelations 5:6-7)

Despite the years that have passed in waiting, I'm full of hope. I know that the vision is yet for an appointed time and in the end it will speak....

As I sit down for evening prayer, I ask that tonight, Jesus, you will speak to me. That will be enough for me.