Announcements

• Next Exam TUES –Sept 28th • HW: Gospel Paper (due Tues)

Chapter 7

The Exodus

The Book of Exodus

• “Departure” • Hebrews are slaves

The Book of Exodus

• Three Main Themes–Deliverance from

Egypt – Law–Dwelling of God

Dating the Events

• 1300 B.C. (most Catholic/Orthodox, and Protestants)

• 1500 B.C. (cults and fundamentalists)

Dating the Events

• Why does it matter? –Changes which Pharaoh was

the ruler

Dating the Events

• Catholics/others recognize influence of Archaeology –Exodus 1:8-14 –general

summary of 200 yrs –Exodus event -1300 B.C. -1200

B.C

Moses

• Pharaoh tells midwives to kill all Hebrew boys–Why? •Egyptians regain control –want to eliminate all foreigners

Moses• Midwives –Shiphrah and Puah•Did the will of God –disobeyed law

• Teaching – Sometimes law of land has to be

disobeyed to follow God (Law) –involves risks

Moses

• Could no longer be hidden –Mother placed him in a

blanket/basket–Sent down river

Moses

• “Brought up out of water” –Raised by

Pharaoh's daughter –Nursed by mother

(identity hidden)•Taught the True Faith

Moses

• Witnesses an Egyptian killing a Hebrew

• Kills the Egyptian –Hides the body

• Flees to Midian –Secret is out •Another fight –secret revealed

Moses

• Midian –Marries Zipporah (daughter of

Jethro) •Descendants of Abraham

Call of Moses

• Exodus Chapter 3• Moses -80 yrs. Old –Burning bush not consumed•Afraid to look at God

Call of Moses

• Many spoke of fire when talking to God –Did it really happen? •Yes –God can do anything •Moses had some experience with God –may have included a miracle

Call of Moses

• Angel of the Lord spoke –God Himself •Common way the OT speaks about God •Speaks of personal encounter with God –but separation

Call of Moses

• God identifies self –God of Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob •Why? –Narrows down the family line –own covenant family

Four Excuses of Moses

• Excuse Number 1: • Who am I? – Fugitive –Murderer –Not miracle man

Who are you?

• Excuse Number 2–Yahweh - “I am who I am”

The People will not Believe Me

• Excuse Number 3– I will give signs

But, I am not a Good Speaker

• Excuse Number 4–Aaron will help you •Brother

Excuses, Excuses

• Theme– Prophets unsure about God’s choice – Lack confidence

Message to Pharaoh

• “Israel is my first born son”–Covenant head of the family of nations –Priest for other nations

• Let the people go three days into desert –To celebrate/worship God –To serve God

THE TEN PLAGUES Exodus

The Plagues

• Purpose –To reveal who the real God is–God is greater than Egyptian gods–God controls the land –not people

The Plagues

• Purpose –“I will make Pharaoh obstinate”• Letting him stick to his own delusions of godhood

The Plagues

• The freedom of God’s people will come because God wants it –NOT because of Pharaoh –Exodus 7-10

The Plagues

• 1 –Blood • 2 –Frogs • 3 –Gnats • 4 –Flies • 5 –Sickness • 6 –Boils • 7 –Hail • 8 –Locusts• 9 –Darkness • 10 –Death of first born son

Plague 1: Blood • Might have been the “Red Tide”–Microorganism that turns water

red and kills fish• Killed fish –stench hit Egypt • God working through nature• Pharaoh –sorcerers said that they

can do the same

Plague 2: Frogs

• Frogs would flee pollution• Magicians are able to reproduce

this• Pharaoh wants a sign–Asks Moses to pray to “his God”

and he would let them go

Plague 2: Frogs

• Frogs die when Moses said they would

• Pharaoh changes his mind after the frogs are dead

Plague 3: Gnats (Lice)

• Dust of Egypt turned into gnats• Magicians could not reproduce

this– “the finger of God”

• Kills the most people

Plague 4: Flies

• Much decay around–Decay led to flies

• God shows power by guarding Goshen from the afflictions

Plague 4: Flies

• Pharaoh offers to allow the Hebrews to worship their own God/ to offer sacrifice in Egypt• Moses says no-they would be

killed

Plague 4: Flies

• Pharaoh says okay– Can leave as long as they don’t

go too far• Flies leave when Moses says so

Plague 5: Sickness

• Bugs, decay, etc. – Led to sickness in animals

• Hebrews are still protected–God protects those who are

faithful to Him

Plague 6: Boils

• Moses threw soot in the sky in front of Pharaoh

• Magicians are not able to reproduce/ are also afflicted

• Teaching: –God will destroy

those who stand in His way

Plague 7: Hail

• Jewish tradition reports fire and hot stones–May have been a volcano

erupting–God working through nature

• Some Egyptians start to abandon Pharaoh–Human god is losing

Plague 7: Hail

• It doesn’t matter how you come to know God, but you will–Positively (cooperating)–Negatively (stand in his way)– If nothing else…Hell

Plague 8: Locusts

• Feared because they usually bring on famine

• Some of Pharaoh’s servants try to convince him to let the Hebrews go, and then leave him

Plague 8: Locusts

• Pharaoh says that the men can go, but the young ones need to stay….not acceptable

Plague 9: Darkness

• Dark spot in the sky grows• Falling ash from Santorini Volcano,

comet passing earth, dust storm

Plague 9: Darkness

• Pharaoh says okay, you can all go, but you need to leave all your stuff here–Moses says no, we need them for

sacrifice!!!• Pharaoh says he never wants to

see Moses again –Moses agrees

How long did the Plagues Last?

• Twelve months • One week (each) –with three

week warning in between

Passover Mass/ Jesus’ Crucifixion

Lamb is sacrifice Lamb of God is sacrifice

Join with nearest household with sacrifice

Join with the Church with Sacrifice

Lamb without blemish Jesus is Lamb without blemish

All of Israel is present In front of the whole Church

Firstborn struck Jesus’ is God’s firstborn

Blood of the lamb saves Blood of the Lamb saves

Unleavened bread Unleavened bread

First/Seventh day hold sacred assembly

First/Seventh day Mass

Not break any bones Not break any bones

Last Plague: Death of Firstborn son

• Angel of death would be sent to kill all firstborn sons (cattle, sheep and goats)–Symbolically –killing their gods

• Sons of Israel would be saved–Smear blood of lamb over door

Lat Plague: Death of Firstborn son

• Ceremonial feast before leaving Egypt–Specific instructions –how to

prepare, what to serve, etc.• Told they were to have a weeklong

celebration once a year–Why? •To remember what God had done for them

Last Plague:Death of Firstborn son

• Egyptians wanted the Hebrews to leave NOW– Already packed–God leads his people in a column of

cloud by day, fire by night

Last Plague: Death of Firstborn son

• Pharaoh changes his mind AGAIN–Goes with his army to capture /

bring them back

Last Plague: Death of Firstborn son

• Red Sea –God tells Moses to stretch out his staff–Pillar moves between Isr. and

Egypt–Clears path through to allow

them to cross

Last Plague: Death of Firstborn son

• Egyptian chariots tried to cross, but got stuck in the mud

• Moses stretched out his staff again and the waters closed, drowning Pharaoh and army

In the Wilderness

• Whining Israelites…–No food–Conditions

better in Egypt–Thirsty–Did God save us

to make us die out here?

In the Wilderness

• Opportunity to grow closer to God–They are suffering and called to

surrender to God-FAITH

In the Wilderness

• Moses asks God for help, God answers–Water at Marah too bitter

• God points out a piece of wood and tells Moses to throw it in the water

• Salvation through Cross and Baptism

In the Wilderness

• More whining-Manna-Quail

• Told only to gather enough for that day–Except for 6th day, needs to be

enough for 2 days….Sabbath

In the Wilderness

• Requires total trust and dependence on God–Water from the rock–Moses strikes a rock

b/c of more whining…–Water comes out•Massah •Maribah

In the Wilderness

• Battle with Amalek• Moses stands on top of a hill

with the staff (Aaron and Hur) • Hands are raised –Israelites

are winning–Aaron and Hur hold them up so

he doesn’t need to rest–CROSS