Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro and Dr. Jordan B. Peterson explore the stubbornness of the Israelites and Moses’ frustration, how covenants work, and how easy it can be to stray from God in the newest episode of “Exodus,” streaming now on DailyWire+.
Peterson, Shapiro, and the panel of nine renowned scholars begin reading the book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible and Torah, discussing important themes throughout the book and connecting them to previous discussions on Exodus and even Leviticus. Peterson begins by explaining that the last section of Leviticus is about abiding by dictates of “ordered freedom” – the covenant between the Israelites and God embodied by the Ten Commandments – and not the tyranny or chaos of the desert, adding that the reestablishment of the covenant is always possible.
“Even if you’re in trouble, there’s always the possibility that no matter how deep the trouble, you can reestablish that covenant,” Peterson says.
Shapiro explains that God keeping His covenant with the Israelites – even though they break it – is unlike human nature. He contrasts it to being unwilling to sign a contract with someone who has already broken a previous contract.
“What God is saying is that – again, it’s this romantic language – He’s waiting for the Israelites to repent, He’s waiting for us to come back to Him,” Shapiro says. “We stray, but that doesn’t mean He went anywhere. He’s still there; He’s waiting for the people to fix it. The covenant has not been broken. It’s very similar to what God sort of does after the flood.”
The panel brings up chapter 10 of Numbers later in the conversation, which references the cloud that guided the Israelites, letting them know when to rest and when to set out. Peterson explains that many people have a difficult time understanding the principle behind this.
“You do move where the spirit takes you,” Peterson says. “And you do that more or less automatically, because your interests will grip you, and it will move you in a direction.”
Peterson adds that humans are always striving toward a destiny that’s better. He says this idea is “part of the basic narrative of the entire Exodus story.”
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This is the seventh of eight new episodes in the series, which explores the importance of Exodus alongside insights from theological and literary scholars – showing why the book remains significant thousands of years after being written.
For a deep dive into the Ten Commandments and other important topics in Exodus, including the meaning and restrictions of “an eye for an eye,” you can watch previous episodes here.
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