The Crossing

for Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco Beshalach, Ex. 13:17-17:16

God did not lead us by the nearer waywhen Pharaoh let the people go at last,but roundabout, by way of the wilderness—

pillars of fire and cloud marking night and day—to the edge of the flood tide—uncrossable and vast.If God had led us by the nearer way,

we cried, we wouldn't die here; let Egypt oppressus as it will; let us return to the past.But we have come out, by way of the wilderness,

in fear; on faith; free now, because we saywe are free; no longer the unchosen, the outcast.God did not lead us by the nearer way,

but into rising waters, which do not part unless,with an outstretched arm, we step forward, and stand fast.Roundabout, by way of the wilderness,

we have come, blessed with love, lesbian, gay,or sanctified in ways of our own, to blessour God, who did not lead us by the nearer way,but roundabout, by way of the wilderness.