a single nation. In the Bible, we see a similar pattern. God’s act of creation liberates the creature made in his image from the threat of being engulfed by the waters by making a safe place for communion. Then he issues his constitution or covenant, specifying the mandate for his creature and the conditions for blessing for the creature himself and for all whom he represents. In the calling of Israel, too, the exodus is the liberation of God’s people from Egyptian bondage through the waters, but