Exodus: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary (Asia Bible Commentary)
In the Asia Bible Commentary on Exodus, Chloe T. Sun provides a pastoral and contextual commentary on one of the most epic books in the Bible. Sun’s volume broadens the global reading and interpretation of Exodus by way of being a non-Western scholar and female writer.
The Quintessential Story of Migration
Exodus is the quintessential story of migration. Sun notes that Asian readers will particularly relate to the immigration motif due to the elements of dynamics of power, differentials, depiction of enslavement and oppression, liberation, paradigm, and portrayal of God’s partnership with women in its early chapters. She identifies selected key aspects related to the diaspora, including: (1) Who is Yahweh? (2) the powerful and the powerless, (3) home and foreign places, (4) border crossing, and (5) the presence and absence of God.
The commentary divides the book of Exodus into four sections. Exodus 1:1-15:21 marks Identity Conversion out of Egypt, Exodus 15:22-18:27 marks Identity Confusion During the In-between Space, Exodus 19 through 24 marks Identity Construction at Sinai, and Exodus 25 through 40 marks Identity Confirmation to Worship. Granted, these are large chunks of scripture, but this structure helped me better understand Exodus as a narrative whole.
The Exodus and the Asian American Experience
Sun is able to give great insight relating the Exodus to the Asian American experience. When commentating on the Red Sea crossing, she notes that “people often cross see to reaching new lands that they believe will provide more opportunities or an escape from poverty or a hostile regime" (p. 135). The sea crossing is, therefore, an in-between state. Identity formation takes place as a kind of baptism of water as people are made new. This is even more poignant as many Chinese immigrants become Christians as they cross the ocean to America.
Sprinkled throughout the book are 16 short articles specifically concerning Asian American topics of interest. Standouts include the Chinese in America and anti-Asian hate, faithful disobedience and the context of China’s house churches, the 10 plagues and the interaction between heaven and earth, and the first-born son in Asian cultures. I was most interested to read on the place of Chinese immigrant churches in Los Angeles. Having lived in Los Angeles for my entire life, I saw how such a unique place has formed my identity and faith. I see the important missions role I get to have by simply being in a Chinese heritage church.
When Migration is a Memory
Reading this book as an Asian American helped me experience Exodus in a personal and profound way. For non-Asian readers, it will help you better understand the plight and problems of God’s people. I anticipate the day when our migration is a memory, and I am hopeful as we continue to make our way to our heavenly home.
I received a media copy of Exodus: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary (Asia Bible Commentary) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.