By PASTOR MARK MOLINA
Living Waters Church
Pastor Mark Molina
Special to the NEWS
This week I will defer from our series on the topic “Where God Leads” so that I can provide you with my written observations about the movie “Exodus of Gods and Kings” written by Ridley Scott and starring Christian Bale. It is important that Christians know and understand true Biblical accounts especially when Hollywood floods the movie screens with its own interpretations of God, His Word and His people.
There is no doubt that in terms of Hollywood success Mr. Scott has paid his dues to obtain his renown. With movies like Alien, Prometheus, Blade Runner, Blackhawk Down, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise, and more, he has accumulated great credentials in the entertainment industry.
But does any of his worldly success qualify him to write an accurate Biblical account of Moses and the Exodus story? It does not. I viewed the movie recently and I left the theater grieved in my spirit wondering how many fellow believers saw and identified the movie’s gross errors in its depiction of Moses, God and the Exodus story?
Much of what I am about to write I have already written in the previously published 12-part series “When God Calls.” Those columns gave a detailed, Biblical account of Moses’ life. Let’s look to the only accurate Source to tell us exactly what we need to know about God and Moses: the Bible. I will begin with Moses’ encounter with God on Mt. Horeb – known as “The Mountain of God.”
“And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’” (Exodus 3:2-3 NKJV)
In contrast, the movie portrays Moses going up the mountain to recover some rams. That is not why Moses went up the mountain. He went up because he saw the burning bush! In this scene it is raining heavily. A mudslide occurs and Moses is knocked unconscious when a rock hits him on the head. Then, as he lay trapped in mud, the bush catches fire. Trapped in the mud and unable to move because he is buried completely up to his face, he meets God. This portrayal gives the impression that God had to trap him in the mud to make Moses meet him. Then the most absurd and bizarre depiction of God is presented. A little boy walks into the scene – he is God! He identifies himself as “I Am,” which is only partially correct.
The Bible describes, “So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:4-6 NKJV)
There was no angry encounter between Moses and God. God did not reveal himself to Moses as an angry little boy who had to trap Moses to make him meet with Him. There was a free will choice and response by both sides. Moses knew the God of his father. Moses knew the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses knew exactly whom it was he was encountering in that moment. Moses hid is face because he knew God was Holy.
But if we don’t know the Bible how can we say we know God? After all, the Bible (His written word) is how God reveals Himself to His people. I can say with all confidence and assurance that if we as Christians do not know the Bible, then we cannot say that we know God.
The church in America has become Biblically illiterate because we no longer consider Biblical disciplines necessary. Therefore Hollywood is able to create an unholy version of God while we sit silent.
