Rev. George Miller
Oct 9, 2022
Exodus 19:1-9a
It’s been 11 days since Hurricane Ian ravaged our state. 8 days since many of us had our electricity back
on.
Too bad we can’t say the same for our sisters and brothers in Cuba. The island nation, just 200 miles south, had
11 million people struggling without electricity since Sept 27; their main
power plant is unable to be brought back online.
No electric means no access to water since pumps are required, and food
has been spoiling rapidly.
People have gathered to protest; anxiety has grown. Security forces were trucked in to stop protestors
from marching, authorities blocked internet communications.
Cuba has turned to the US, emergency assistance.
It’s been a difficult time, but if there are 2 things we know about the people
of Cuba-they have faced rough times before, and they are survivors.
It's in the very nature of the nation.
Cuba, like the Philippines, Haiti, and America, has had complex history of
exploration and colonization.
Back in the 1800’s, Cuba was a Spanish territory known for their
production of sugar, an island made of indigenous individuals, European
immigrants, people stolen from Africa, and indentured servants from China.
Business owners were demanding economic reforms. Spain’s oppressive military expanded while famers
saw a 6% tax increase and their voices ignored.
The abolitionist movement was growing. The creole community sought equality
and representation in Parliament.
This all came together on Oct 10, 1868, when a plantation owner named
Carlos Manuel gathered his enslaved workers, granted them their freedom and
issued a cry of Independence, starting an out-all military uprising against Spain
that lasted for 10 years.
Oct 10 is known as the “Cry Of Yara”, a day that marks this historic moment
in which men of all races (native, Spanish, African, Asian, European) came
together as one to fight for freedom.
This sense of freedom was based on the belief that God created humanity, so
therefore there should be a spirit of brother/sisterhood, tolerance, justice, the
belief that all people are equal, and that no one is excluded from this spirit,
even their enemies.
Oct 10 marks the moment the nation of Cuba said “We want to be free, we
want independence, we want an end to slavery, and anyone can be part of this
movement.”
What’s astounding is that Cuba didn’t want to end their relationship with
Spain, they wanted to continue, as sisters.
But Spain said “no.”
Freedom. Independence. Equality.
Justice. Could Oct 10, 1868 be
any more biblically grounded if it tried?
How cool that today we celebrate the fight for freedom and end of slavery
with a story that is all about enslaved people being delivered by God and finding
a way to become a unified nation in which ethics, covenant and faith all come together.
Here we are in Exodus. It’s 3
months after the Israelites were saved from slavery. They have reached Mount Sinai, and there they
will camp for 11 months.
Though they are in the wilderness, they are far from alone- God is with
them. God has granted them a leader in
Moses and the leadership of Aaron, Miriam, Jethro, and many wise elders.
God gives Moses a message to share with the people- “You now know what
God can and will do for you. If you
choose to listen for my voice and obey my simple instructions, you will be my
most treasured joy.”
God says to the people “The whole world is mine, but you will be the most
special of all.”
Moses gives this message to the people, and they say “Everything the Lord
has said we will do.”
After the people agree to be God’s most precious possessions, God has the
people consecrated. They prepare by washing
all their clothes.
Then Moses and his brother Aaron go up the mountain to receive what we
know as the 10 Commandments.
Now, do the people keep their end of the bargain? Sadly, know the answer is “No.” But does God keep the covenant? The answer is “We’re still here, aren’t we!”
What are the commands God gives to his most precious treasure? 10 simple requests:
1)
Know that I am the Lord, your God, who brought you
out of slavery. Choose no other gods but
me.
2)
Don’t make something with your hands, claim that it
is me and worship it.
3)
Don’t use my name disrespectfully.
4)
Remember to take one day off a week to rest; allow your
children, your employees, your animals, and all immigrants a chance to rest.
5)
Honor your parents
6)
Do not murder
7)
Don’t be unfaithful to your spouse
8)
Don’t take what isn’t yours
9)
Don’t speak lies about other people
10)
Don’t waste a minute of your life jealous about what
others have
Amazing. 1st, we hear
God saying “Walk humbly with me”- know that I am the Lord who saves, choose no
one else but me, don’t make me an idol or misuse my name. And rest.
2nd, God is saying “Do justice”- Don’t kill, harm your spouse,
steal, or lie.
3rd- God is saying “Love kindness”- be nice to mom and pop,
don’t worry what others have.
To a group of people who’ve been enslaved for 500 years and told they
were worthless, God says “You are precious, you are free, and if you choose me,
I will show you how to be true sisters and brothers.”
So on this day when we celebrate Cuba’s independence from slavery and greed,
we also remember our own freedom, found in God.
Just as the people of Cuba longed to live their best life on the land, we
are reminded how God wants us to live our best life, be one with the land, our neighbors,
one with God.
God wants us to accept our role as God’s most precious treasure and as
God’s greatest belonging.
And the beauty is, that God gives us that choice each and every day we
wake up, each and every moment we open our eyes.
We give thanks for the freedom we find in God, and we give thanks for the
gifts of the commandments that remind us just how wonderful we are.
Amen and amen.
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