IN THE BEGINNING….CLASS TWO OF THREE

Our Lady of the Presentation ParishMary Pat Storms

June 19, 2013

EXODUS

ExodusStories of Moses, deliverance of the Hebrew People and the Law (10 Commandments.)

Writing

• Likely occurred around 1300 BC; written 10-6 centuries BC

• Writers are generally considered:– J source (the poet)– E source (the prophet)– P source (the priest)

• Varied literary styles: poetry, legal, epic

• Structure1

• Covenant2

• The Stories3

Today’s Overview

STRUCTURE

Introduction: The Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt (1:1–2:22)The Call and Commission of Moses (2:23–7:7)The Contest with Pharaoh (7:8–13:16)The Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Victory at the Sea (13:17–15:21)The Journey in the Wilderness to Sinai (15:22–18:27)Covenant and Legislation at Mount Sinai (19:1–31:18)Israel’s Apostasy and God’s Renewal of the Covenant (32:1–34:35)The Building of the Tabernacle and the Descent of God’s Glory upon It (35:1–40:38)

I will sing to the Lord… Exodus 15: 1-18

• This is an ancient poem that encapsulates all of Exodus.

• Used at Easter Vigil each year.• Verses 1-12 talk about the deliverance of

Israel from Egypt; • Verses 13-18 talk about God’s faithfulness to

Israel in the desert.

Structure of Exodus

Exodus I : people at peace; dramatic change to slavery.

2-4: Moses called to deliver Israel

5: Confronting Pharaoh

7-10 Moses again confronts Pharaoh 11-12 Deliverance 13: Escape to the

East

Structure of Exodus

14-15 Deliverance at

Red Sea

16-18 Journey in the

Wilderness

19-24 God’s covenant with

Israel

25-31 Directions for the sanctuary

32-34 Sin and renewed covenant

35-40 Building of the

sanctuary

COVENANT

Theology of Covenant• A covenant is a solemn agreement made with a

religious ritual.• Covenants can be between people or nations.• Considered valid for all time. Cannot be rejected,

broken or taken back.• Typical structure has these parts: a preamble stating

names of parties; a historical listing of all the good things God has done for his people; the laws and obligations for the people; a directive to save and publish the covenant; a list of witnesses; list of curses and blessings.

Biblical covenants• Abraham• Noah• Moses

STORIES OF EXODUS

The Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt (1:1–2:22)

• At the end of Genesis, we hear of Joseph’s death.

• At the start of Exodus, we have a listing of the tribes who are in Egypt and their progeny.

• Then, we hear of a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh is likely Ramses II.

• Hebrews are forced into slavery.

The Oppression of the Israelites

• Orders midwives to kill Hebrew sons – Midwives’ Civil Disobedience– Order to throw sons into the Nile– Plan to have Hebrew daughters marry Egyptian

men• Birth of Moses– Levite parents– Found in river by Pharaoh’s daughter

• Miriam

Moses’ Flight

• Moses is raised in Pharaoh’s household– Somehow realizes he is Hebrew– Kills Egyptian– Flees to Midian

• Moses in Midian– Defends seven sisters at well– Priest of Midian (Jethro) has flocks Moses tends– Marries Zipporah and has son, Gershon

The Call of Moses

• Moses is tending the herd– Burning Bush• Hid his face• Holy ground• Promise of land flowing with milk and honey• Name of God: I AM• Go to the Israelites and say…the God of Abraham,

Isaac and Jacob says…

The Mission of Moses

• Moses goes to Pharaoh to ask for three-day retreat– Israelite’s workload is increasedPeople are not happy with Moses

• Moses goes to back to God–God’s insistence on mission»Plagues

The Plagues show God’s power• Turning water into blood: Hapi, the god of the Nile• Frogs: Heqt, goddess of birth. Heqt is often

depicted as a frog.Gnats from dust: Geb, god of the earth or soil.• Flies: Kheper, god of beetles and flies.• Cattle: Apis, sacred bull.• Boils: Isis, goddess of healing.• Hail: Nut, sky goddess and/or Horus, falcon god /

sky god.• Locusts: Seth, god of crops.• 3 days of darkness: Ra, the sun god • Death of firstborn Pharaoh.

Passover

• Ritual prescribed– 10th day of the first month of year– A lamb for sacrifice– Blood on the doorposts– Roasted lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened

bread– Eat it with loins girt, sandals on feet and staff in

hand– Rules for future years

The Exodus (c. 1300 bc)

Departure at night– Crossing Red Sea to desert of Shur

Hunger in desert– Quail and Manna– Water from rock

Joshua enters as a warriorBattle with Amalek

• While Moses has his hands raised, battle is won.

Reunion with family Moses meets up with Jethro, is reunited with his

wife and two sons. Jethro advises him to appoint judges.

Mount Sinai

• 10 Commandments• Several specific laws and rituals prescribed• Instructions for the Ark of the Covenant

– The table– The lampstand– The tent cloth– The walls of wood– The veils– Altar for holocausts– Priest’s vestments

God meets with Moses and Aaron on the mountain

Meanwhile…while Moses is talking with God….

• The Golden Calf– Aaron lets people “run wild”– Time of atonement– Broken tablets of Commandments• New Tablets• Moses stays with God for 40 days

Exodus Journey

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Lessons from Exodus

• Renewal of covenant• God enters real time and interacts with real

people• Israel emerges from experience as God’s holy,

chosen people• Human success and failure• Divine assistance and forgiveness

QUESTIONS?