The Song of Israel

This is the song of Israel. It begins with the starlit hope of the patriarchs as they sing bleary-eyed songs of their promised future. It becomes a slave song, sung in the chains of Egypt, and evolves into the road song of a tribe in the desert. Once they settle into the Promised Land, it becomes a declaration: “God lives in Israel!” It’s a violent song, written with fire and bloodstains, and it’s a song of failure and reconciliation.

Most of all, it’s a song written by God himself. The promise made to Abraham was kept…