book of exodus...title “exodus” literally means “way out of.” in the jewish bible, the book...

BOOK OF EXODUS

Morrison Heights Baptist Church

Discipleship Workshop: Old Testament

September 8, 2019

Title“Exodus” literally means “way out of.”

In the Jewish Bible, the book is called , translated “names.”

The book begins with a partial genealogy of Jacob’s family, just the men, a total of 70 (1:1-5).

For the full genealogy, SEE Genesis 46.

Family enters Egypt. Nation leaves Egypt. 70 men about 600,000 men

Transition

EXODUS 12:37-38GENESIS 46

430 YEARS

EXODUS 12:40-41

“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” (1:8)

The Bible NEVER names the pharaoh.

Frustration for Scholars Early Date Theory (1446 BC)

Late Date Theory (1250 BC)

SETI I Pharaoh of the OppressionRAMESES II Pharaoh of the Exodus

NOT the Focus of the Story

Trouble

WHY?

Exodus 7-12 record ten “plagues,” also called “signs,” “wonders,” and “judgments.”

The Hebrew noun “plague” derives from a verb that means “to smite” or “to strike.”

The plagues were NOT random catastrophes, but a targeted attack on the Egyptian pantheon. As a result, God discredited Pharaoh. SEE Exodus 12:12.

Truths about the Plagues

X To destroy Egypt

✓ “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.” (7:5)

In Hebrew, the verb “to know” refers to experiential knowledge; shared experience = relationship

Truths about the PlaguesPURPOSE

Truths about the PlaguesREVELATION

RESPONSE

RECEIVE REJECT

RELATIONSHIP RETRIBUTION

SEE 9:20 and

12:38.

What should have been signs and wonders became

judgments.

Miracle OR Natural Phenomena?

God used natural phenomena in a miraculous way. THREE REASONS

1. Timing: Moses commanded them to begin and to end. 2. Severity || starting with the 3rd plague (8:16-19) 3. Separation || starting with the 4th plague (8:20-23)

Truths about the Plagues

YESWrite Answer Here

OLD TESTAMENT LAW

Exodus 20 – Deuteronomy 33

Overview

“Ten Words”: (Hb.)/Decalogue (Gk.)

COVENANT Context

Revelation of the Covenant

Decalogue: General Expectations or Obligations

“Book of the Covenant”: Specific Application

Ratification of the Covenant

The Decalogue compares

to the U.S. Constitution

19:4-6

20:1-17

20:22-23:33

24:1-18

“the law of the land” (Article VI)

In CONTENT, the Decalogue is authoritative as

any other biblical law.

In FORM, however, the Decalogue does not

resemble typical laws.

TOO brief

NO punishment specified

Overview

REASONS

Overview

Comparison to Hammurabi’s Code

Overview

The Old Testament Law is superior because:

Old Testament Law placed a higher value on life than

property.

Old Testament Law tempered gross punishments.

“eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for

burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (EX. 21:24-25)

Old Testament Law rejected class distinctions.

Old Testament Law expressed greater concern for the

privileges of slaves and encouraged humane treatment.

JUSTICE

Equal Protection

Under the Law

Overview