The miracles of the Exodus did not transform those redeemed into resolute monotheists overnight. At the outset, humanity had a monotheistic world view, but quickly fell into worshipping objects and forces of nature until it had grown progressively oblivious as to the ultimate source of all existence. Though Abraham recovered the pristine faith in God without benefit of revelation and disseminated it widely, his descendants in Egypt sank back into idolatry, except for the tribe of Levi. In short, monotheism hung by a thread till God drafted Moses to honor the covenant with the patriarchs and to ground reason in revelation. But it is a war without end.
Human nature is weak and susceptible to reversals.
Israel was prone to idolatry before and after the Exodus. The history of Israelite inconstancy attests to the constancy of human nature, a reality that will go unaltered till the days of the Messiah. In the interim, a life of Torah gives us the strength to wrest a few victories along the way. Search Courses Receive the JTS Torah commentary and Shabbat candlelighting times sent to you weekly by e-mail. Click here to sign up for free membership.