Near God in Exile

Jacob goes down into Egypt by God’s command, and yet he is not abandoned there. The righteous man may dwell in a strange land, under pagan power, amid famine and death, and still remain near to God. As Origen says, “although Israel dwells in Egypt, it is nevertheless not far from God but is close to him and near.” So also the disciples stand in a world that crucified the Lord, yet the risen Christ claims all authority and sends them into it without fear.

This nearness is not idleness. Israel enters Egypt under promise, but he must still sojourn, endure want, and live as a distinct people. The psalm teaches the same rule for us: do not sit with vain persons, do not join yourself to deceit, wash your hands in innocence, and come rightly to the altar. A man should be ready for God’s searching judgment, not hiding filth under pious words. “We are therefore prepared and are ready to say, ‘Try me, O Lord, and prove me; purge my reins and my heart.’”

Isaiah joins mercy and severity. The Lord cuts down the serpent, threshes his people, and yet keeps his vineyard and gathers the outcasts one by one. The resurrection of Jesus is the open declaration that this judgment and this mercy meet in him. Therefore the women are told, Fear not; the disciples are sent; the nations must be taught not merely to admire Christ, but to obey him.

So let us live as those in Goshen: dwelling in the midst of Egypt, yet near to God; awaiting the final gathering; keeping the commandments of the risen Lord with clean hands, steadfast courage, and patient endurance.