Exodus

Exodus The Book of Exodus begins about 450

years after the death of Joseph Many scholars believe that the people

whom Joseph knew who controlled Egypt were the “Hykos”. They had overthrown the Egyptians years earlier.

The Pharaohs who “knew nothing of Joseph” were actually Egyptian Pharaohs who enslaved the Hebrews

When and by whom is Exodus written? The Priestly writer recorded this story

when the people of Israel were subjects of either the Babylonian or Persian Empire

The Israelites were living in a foreign land / the Jews were fresh off exile to Babylon

Through Moses, the Israelites discover the identity of their God –found through the covenant. In Babylon, the exiled Jews rediscover their true identity.

Timeline from Exodus to Babylonian Captivity

Exodus comes from the Greek word for “departure,” because the central event is the departure of the Israelites from Egypt.

It is continuing the history of the chosen people from where the book of Genesis leaves off.

The events: The oppression by the Egyptians The miraculous deliverance by God

through Moses Parting of the Red Sea The special covenant with God

The Formation of the People of God By these events, the Israelites

eventually become an independent nation and enjoy a unique relationship with God.

Through Moses God gives the Israelites at Mt. Sinai the “Law”: moral, civil, ritual legislation by which they may become a holy people – in whom the promise of a savior for ALL mankind would be fulfilled.

Exodus 1 Jacobs descendants thrive in Egypt. Why does the Pharaoh begin to oppress

the Israelites? They were too numerous and powerful.

They could join the Egyptians enemies and help to overthrow them.

The king goes so far as to instruct the midwives to kill the sons who are born to Israelite women

The Midwives How did the midwives respond to the

kings instructions? They disobeyed b/c they feared God. When the king confronts them, do they

tell the truth? No- They say the Israelite women are

robust and give birth before they arrive.

Does it sound as if God is condoning lying in this case?

Can you give an example when lying is not wrong but you could even say it is justified?

Can we say that the preservation of life (human dignity) in this case is more important than obeying an unjust law or request?

How can we determine when circumstances permit us to justifiably lie?

Moses’ FAMILY

His father was Amram His mother was Jochebed His older brother was

Aaron His older sister was

Mariam

Exodus 2 The Birth of Moses

From which son of Israel (Jacob) was Moses a descendant?

Levi How does a Hebrew infant end up

growing up in the Pharaoh’s palace?

When the child is too old to be hidden any longer, he’s put into a basket and sent down the river (Nile)

The mother’s daughter (the baby’s sister) is sent ahead at a distance to see what would happen to him

The Pharaoh’s daughter notices the basket, and is moved w/ pity.

The sister (of the baby) asks if the Pharaoh’s daughter would like a Hebrew woman to nurse the child

The Nile

It was the primary source of water for the people

The 1st plague is that the Nile turns to blood. There are two reasons for this:

1. It pollutes the water supply

2. The blood of the dead baby boys is in the Nile

It just so happens that the woman she gets to nurse the child is her own mother –and the mother of the infant child – and she gets paid for it! Isn’t that ironic.

So Moses knows growing up that he is a Jew. He also has the privilege of the elite lifestyle of an Egyptian prince.

He would have access to education, military training, etc.

Moses’ Flight to Midian

Why does Moses leave Egypt and go to the land of Midian?

He kills an Egyptian who is hitting a

Hebrew-but it’s the next day when he tries to break up a fight between 2 Hebrews that he gets scared his actions will get back to Pharaoh (and they do) that he flees.

Fleeing to Midian

Moses at the Well What do we find out about

the character of Moses when he is seated by the well?

He protects the 7 daughters of a priest and waters their flock – protector, compassionate, just (women were not even acknowledged in public), brave.

Why would the daughters of Reuel say Moses was an Egyptian?

This action leads Moses to live with Reuel (also known as Jethro) and take his daughter Zipporah as his wife.

Exodus 3 The Burning Bush Is Moses excited about accepting God’s

command to lead the Israelites or is he reluctant?

His response is : “who am I?” Why? He’s a fugitive (even though the old Pharaoh is

now dead)/it’s a tremendous undertaking/his own kinsmen had questioned his authority.

God identifies himself to Moses as “Yahweh.” – meaning “I am who am.”

Why is it important to Moses that he be able to tell the Israelites who sent him?

Yahweh The name became so sacred the

people developed an exaggerated reverence for it- and refused to say the word.

They refused to say it and instead used either the phrase “the Name” or the word “Adonai” meaning Lord.

“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” Jesus uses this in one of his arguments. Who is Jesus arguing with and why does he use this particular phrase from Exodus?

The Sadducees – they did not believe in the after life

Exodus 4 Aaron the brother of Moses

Moses reluctantly agrees to carry out God’s plan

Who assists Moses in carrying God’s message to Pharaoh? Why?

Aaron. Moses was not eloquent in his speech. ( and the truth be known, probably didn't want to go it alone)

Return to Egypt

Read 4: 24-26. Why did God want to kill Moses? He chose him to free the Israelites.

Go back to Genesis 17:10-12. It seems as though Moses had not been

circumcised! OUCH!!!

Exodus 5 Moses and Pharaoh

Can you give some logical reason why the Pharaoh would not want to let the Israelites leave Egypt?

How do the Israelites react to their work load being doubled?

Exodus 6 Why is the genealogy of Moses and

Aaron given in this chapter? To identify them as descendants of Levi

– also to show the connection of Aaron to Phinehas (Aaron’s grandfather) who was High Priest

Exodus 7

What’s the deal w/ the snakes? Doesn’t this display seem kind of juvenile?

Snakes were seen as sneaky, conniving, deceitful, cunning (remember it was a snake in Eden that tricked Eve) There in lies the symbolism. Some kings were pictured w/ having the head of a snake.

So what do you think the significance of Moses’ snake swallowing up the snakes of the Pharaoh’s snakes is?

The Plagues

Miracles or Natural Disaster Don’t forget, we are concerned about

WHAT God did for His people, not HOW He did it.

Many of the plagues have natural explanations – but they (the Israelites) had neither the knowledge or technology to explain them. This hardly diminishes God’s power.

They also probably happened over a long period of time but were compressed into one great event when it was looked at from the perspective generations later

This process is sometimes called “Telescoping of History.”

The important thing to remember in these events is that Yahweh was saving them- and that’s why the story was remembered.

The Plagues The plagues are “judgments against the

gods of Egypt We will see that the God of Israel is the

most powerful of Gods

The first Plague Turning the

water in the Nile to blood

Seven days pass and the second plague is introduced

Second Plague The Frogs

invade the land

Exodus 8 Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. He goes

back on his word to let them go. The heart is the center of mental

activity-the soul is also thought to be in the heart.

God will use Pharaoh’s stubbornness to show his greatness

Third Plague

Gnats invade the land

Fourth Plague

The flies are everywhere

Flies carry disease, Could they have infected the animals?

And once again, Pharaoh lies about letting them go free

Fifth Plague

Pestilence - Infected livestock

Sixth Plague

Boils

Seventh Plague

Hail and fire

And Pharaoh lies a third time

Eighth Plague Bring on

the locusts Lie #4.

You’d think Moses would know by now not to take the Pharaoh’s word for anything!

Ninth Plague

Darkness falls over the land

The Passover Exodus 11-12 What is the Passover? They were to smear lambs blood

over the doorposts The angel of God will “pass over”

the houses that are marked No one is spared-livestock to the

son of Pharaoh

Unleavened bread was used. Yeast makes the dough rise-they couldn’t wait - it had to be cooked quickly.

From this custom came the Christians’ use of unleavened bread in Communion.

Bitter herbs-to represent the bitterness of slavery

The lamb was roasted. It couldn't be eaten raw. No blood-recognizing it is the life source- it belongs to God

Why do we refer to Christ as the Pascal lamb?

The lamb is a prophetic type for Christ. At Passover it represents their freedom

from slavery/bondage. And aliens could partake if they’d been circumcised.

Christ freed us from the bondage of sin

Notice 12:46 “shall not break any of its bones.”

The Pascal Lamb

Tenth Plague

Death of the first born

Exodus 13

Into the desert the Israelites go They are guided by God Cloud by day Fire by night But the Pharaoh’s heart is

hardened. He wants his slaves back. So what does he do?

Parting the sea

The Israelites are trapped between the sea and the Egyptian army

Moses raises his staff and parts the sea

Pharaoh’s troops pursue-what happens to them?

Where did they cross?

Red Sea or Sea of Reeds?

Probably Red Sea Fresh water (reedy) lakes that are now

covered by the Suez canal

Exodus 15 The Song of Moses Moses and Mariam lead a song of praise This song is recounting the prose from

chapter 14 Many scholars believe this to be one of

the oldest parts of the existing Bible. What could be the purpose for the

Israelites putting this event to song?

This is a MAJOR event in Jewish history. It was important for it to be handed down from generation to generation

Most were illiterate-things weren’t written down

You remember things better when they’re put into song

Exodus 16

God provides for their need Do quail fall from the sky? Actually they do. It is a migration

path for them. They die from exhaustion.

There is also a sweet edible honey dew found in parts of Sinai in June / July called—Guess what?

MANA

All had enough- none had too much, none had too little. No one hoarded food

How does Exodus 16:18 relate to 2 Corinthians 8:12-15?

The goal is sharing!!!

Home Work

Exodus 17 Whiney, whiney,

whiney. Where is their faith? Have they so quickly forgotten how God liberated them?

Are we like this? How does Joshua

and his army defeat Amalek?

Exodus 18 Jethro and Sipphora come Jethro advises Moses to appoint judges

to handle cases/disputes

Exodus 19 The Israelites arrive at Sinai God initiates His formal relationship

(covenant)with Israel.

Exodus 20 The Commandments

Why do we traditionally see Moses with 2 tablets?

One recent theory is that there were two copies - one to be displayed for all to see-one to be put in the arch of the covenant

The Sinai Covenant

The importance of the book of Exodus is in the accounts of the formation of the people of God and their deliverance from the Egyptians by Yahweh

The events which occurred at Mt. Sinai are one of the central issues in this book.

It is here that the people were formed into a unified group with a common bond and purpose.

At Sinai, Yahweh proclaims for all time that the people of Israel were the people of God.

Recalling Abraham’s Covenant Sinai Covenant

God promised a great nation and people to Abraham.

But doesn’t place any requirements or obligations on the people. Punishment is not a consequence for failing to meet the covenant.

At Mt. Sinai, God fulfills the promise to the entire people-not just an individual.

Here, it is the same covenant made w/ Abraham, but it establishes obligations and unifies the people

The Covenant This was the covenant – God’s part and

man’s part. “If you obey my statutes, ordinances, and decrees, then I will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

We will see that it doesn't take long for the Hebrews to break these statutes.

Exodus 21 21- Tit for tat laws. The intent-not just merely to enforce

rigorous judgment but preventing greater penalties than would be just.

Exodus 22 Social Laws Seducing a betrothed virgin Catching a thief Lending money Molesting aliens These laws entail respecting others and

their property – being held responsible for your action.

Remember, these statutes were incorporated for this culture at this particular period of history.

Exodus 23 Religious Laws 1. Feast of

Unleavened Bread

2. Feast of the Grain Harvest

End of the year feast of the Fruit Harvest

1. Passover

2. Pentecost (not our Christian Pentecost)

Feast of Booths

Exodus 24 Moses on the Mountain The covenant is ratified Ratify: to confirm by expressing

consent, approval, or formal sanction Corroborate, approve. 2.  validate,

establish.

Exodus 25 The Ark

The Ark itself was a small box made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. It measured 1.15 meters long, 0.7 meters wide and 0.7 meters high. It was carried by two long bars, also made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.

The Tabernacle God is present – the tabernacle is His

“Residence.” Although not limited, He is uniquely

present here. It is also a centralized place- A place to worship A place to gather The place for sacrifice

The Ark of the Covenant resided in the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Tabernacle.

Access was only permitted once per year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Access was restricted to one person only, the high priest.

He had to come into the Holy of Holies with the blood of a goat, on behalf of his own and the people of Israel's sins.

uh-key-shuh - Acacia

The Contents Kept in the Ark

Container of manna –to remind of God’s provision

Aaron’s staff – to remind of his leadership

The stone tablets (10 Commandments) – symbolizing the law of the covenant

The Lampstand What do we know this lamp stand as

today? Menorah

Mistakenly called a candle stand / stick. Rather than using candles, the lampstand had 7 lamps fueled by olive oil. It was never extinguished. It was a symbol of the covenant.

One of the few Tabernacle items of solid gold. It stood about as tall as a man. It had decorations on it like almond flowers, buds and branches.

Exodus 25:1-31:11; 35:30-40:38The Tabernacle Design

Large rectangular tent

15 feet high, 45 feet long, 15 feet wide

Enclosed in 75x150 foot courtyard

Worshipper brings a sacrifice He’s met by the priest He places his hands on the animals head

and confess sins; thereby transferring them to the animal to be sacrificed

The animal is sacrificed on the bronze alter

The priest uses the laver (bronze basin) to wash his hands to make him ritually pure

26-27 The TentThe Tabernacle where the Ark was kept before the Temple was built.

The sanctuary in Church is also called the Tabernacle which simply means “tent.”

The Alter Curtain

separating front (Holy Place) from back (Holy of Holies)

Contains Ark – God’s throne room

Only priest on Yom Kippur could enter holy of holies

Exodus 25:1-31:11; 35:30-40:38The Tabernacle After

completion A pillar of

smoke and fire Symbolizing

God’s presence and leadership of the Israelites

Exodus 28-29 Priestly Vestments and consecration of priests

Exodus 30

Universal census tax-1/2 shekel

Exodus 31 The Artisans and Sabbath Laws Bezalal, son of Uri, son of Hur- from the

tribe of Judah Oholiab, son of Ahisamach- from the

tribe of Dan God gives direction on how to take care

to keep the Sabbath holy

Exodus 32 The Golden Calf

While God is giving Moses His commands what are the Israelites doing?

They grow impatient. Moses is gone for 40 days

They want a “god” to lead them. They collect gold and make a golden

BULL – not a calf! The bull show virility, strength

When God seem to be absent, we quickly make gods of things that seem more real to us- or at least more visible

Descending The Mountain

Moses must now represent God to the people

Sees the idolatry Moses breaks the

commandments Symbolic of the Israelites

breaking covenant Violating – no gods

before me - idolatry Moses Punishes God forgives them

Does God Change His Mind?

Anthropomorphic: ascribing human form or attributes

to a being or thing not human, esp. to a deity.

Giving God human characteristics Using human language It shows that the God of the

Israelites will engage in dialogue

Exodus 34 The 13 Attributes of God

1. The Lord. and 2.The Lord. The repetition indicates

Yahweh is the God of all things and all creation and is the beginning and end of all time.

3. A God 4. Merciful. The Hebrew word for

merciful is the same as for womb- which suggests that God possesses a mother’s tenderness and understanding of a child's weakness

5. Gracious. The Hebrew word for gracious the same as the word expressing kindness of the good Samaritan

6. Slow to Anger 7. Rich in Kindness. Refers to Gods

fidelity to the Covenant which Israel disobeyed.

8. Fidelity. In Hebrew it means “steadfast love.” Meaning, God is always offering love to us. Our closest word to this would be grace.

9. Continuing for a thousand generations. The word thousand implies endless

Forgiving10. wickedness (crookedness)11. crime (Rebellion)12. Sin (Failure)The implication is that God’s love and goodness is stronger than any evil13. Yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. Yahweh does not let wrongs go unpunished – remember that personal punishment in the afterlife developed later in Jewish history