ROOTS AND THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
The Rev. Harold Shepherd, CD, M.A., S.T.M., LL.B., LL.M.,
Ph.D.
“This is a day you are to
commemorate; for the generations to come you shall
celebrate it as a festival to the LORD- a lasting
ordinance.” Exodus 12:14
Exodus 12:1-14 tells the story of the origins of Passover.
Behind this account lies the recollection of the nomadic
roots of the nation. The Semitic peoples can trace their
ancestry back to Akkad in the northern region of ancient
Mesopotamia. Although established with land, cities and
political and social institutions, some headed west along
the fertile crescent to Palestine. Because cities and
agricultural land was controlled by various Canaanite
groups, the Semites resorted to the life of a Bedouin.
Those of you who have visited the Middle East know that
there are still Bedouin today in the region. They live, for
the most part, in tents and tend flocks of small animals
such as goats. Many of the shepherds are children. While on
a field trip to Petra, Jordan in the late 70's with the
French Biblical and Archeological School in Jerusalem,
Bedouins served as our guides for three days. Before we
left, we were invited to their camp for tea. This consisted
in a mattress under overhanging rock and a cooking pot over
an open fire. They were living much the same way as their
ancestors did thousands of years ago. In academic circles,
we refer to the ancient Bedouin as being semi-nomadic. What
we mean by this is that they did not move freely throughout
the region with no fixed point of residence. They had a
traditional camp they stayed in during the winter rainy
season. Because water and vegetation was ample, they could
graze their animals from a central habitation. During the
dry summer months, they were forced to relocate each time
local vegetation was consumed by the animals. Because they
roamed for half of the year and lived in a fixed location
for the other half, their lifestyle is termed
“semi-nomadic.” The rainy winter months were a
time of abundance and security. In the spring when the
rains stopped, they entered into a long period of draught
that could be precarious. If sufficient food and water were
not found, they and their animals could starve to death.
Before setting out to find new sources of food, an animal
sacrifice would be offered. In part, the Bedouin would ask
God to protect them on the journey and provide for them the
necessities of live. In a sense, it was their version of
the Lord’s Prayer: give us this day our daily bread.
Use of animal sacrifices was the common way of entering
into binding contracts with people, celebrating significant
events, or asking God for forgiveness or his blessing. This
spring sacrifice was offered in Bedouin tradition- it was
roasted, not boiled as was the case with later Hebrew
sacrifices. Being vulnerable to nature, the sacrifice was
to be eaten when prepared and not left for the next day.
This made sense in a context of wild animals and lack of
proper storage facilities that could reduce the risk of
food poisoning. Furthermore, the Bedouins would eat it
properly dressed to respond to emergencies. They would have
staff in hand, sandals on their feet and their cloak tucked
in to their belt. It is this sacrifice that Moses asked to
celebrate in the desert, away from the Egyptians for whom
animal sacrifice was abhorrent. In subsequent years, it
became historicized by recollection of the exodus from
Egypt. However, the account in Exodus 12:1-14 calls on the
people to remember their roots. The difference between this
sacrifice and all others is emphasized. It s it be a
commemoration for the generations to come. This functions
at two levels. First, it serves as a recollection of the
liberation of Israel from Egypt. Secondly, the nature of
the sacrifice roots the experience of the nation in its
nomadic origins. They may have become sophisticated city
people, but they must nevertheless remember where they came
from.
I have a relative who take great interest in our family
history. He did extensive research to establish the family
tree back to the seventeen hundreds. Why did he do this?
Why are there genealogical societies and many people who
are very interested in their ancestry? One of the reasons
for this is that our identity come, at least in part, from
the nature of the groups we are associated with. Our place
in the world is determined by social perceptions. We are
very much interested in knowing the stock from which we
come. The United Empire Loyalists still meet to celebrate a
common bond forged by history and the experience of their
ancestors. If we forget the contribution made by those who
came before us, we are very much impoverished. As with the
Hebrews, we must remember where we came from- where our
roots lie in history, both as a family and as a nation.
This should never be done for the purpose of comparing
ourselves with others. Rather, we can use it to draw on the
strength, values and rich legacy of those who have gone on
before that we may take up the unfinished task left by them
and build a stronger, more vibrant family and nation.
Thanks be to God.