BOOK OF EXODUS

Liberation from Slavery

IMPORTANT FACTS Author:

Unknown, gathered through Oral tradition

Theme: Salvation through liberation

Context Historical

During the time of Egyptian oppression Literary

Epic Story; Exaggeration Grand event Epic Hero (Moses):

Humble beginnings/ set apart

The instrument used by God Bravery, wisdom, speaks

with power and authority

Chapters 1-18 slavery, deliverance Chapters 19-40 at Mt Sinai Account is at the heart of both

Jewish and Christian belief Jesus’ life death and resurrection

cannot be fully appreciated without knowing these stories

These accounts prefigure the actions of Jesus

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

At the end of the Book of Genesis the Israelites are happily living as guests in Egypt due to the generosity of the pharaoh.

The Beginning of the Book of Exodus finds the Israelites laboring as slaves in Egypt.

Moses is saved (Ex.2: 1-10) Moses kills an Egyptian and flees Ex. 2: 11-22 Moses settles in Midea, marries and starts a family Moses is called by God

CALL NARRATIVE

Mysterious setting

God initiates the call

Candidate is hesitant

God reassures Acceptance of

the mission

What is revealed? God calls on

imperfect people God provides what

we need to accomplish the task

God is persistent

Ex.3 & 4

NATURAL OCCURRENCES OR MIRACLES Water turns to blood Epidemic of frogs Gnats/ fleas Flies Animals die Skin disease Hail Locust Sun blotted out

Happened when and how Moses prophesied.

Happened more intensely than would be normal

Happened only to Egyptians

The 10th Plague

Angel of DeathDeath of the Firstborn

Passover

“Sacrifice an unblemished lamb, mark the door posts and lintel of the home and death will “passover” that home”

Ex. 12:31-36

Ex. 12: 37-51

Pharaoh dismisses

the Israelites

The Departure

of the Israelites

*God has power over earthly rulers*

When the pharaoh changes his mind, God again shows his power over nature by using the water of the Red Sea to save the Israelites and destroy the Egyptian chariots and charioteers

Foreshadows baptism

Arrival at the Mountain of

God, Mt. Sinai

God Speaks to Moses on

the mountain

God gives Moses the 10

Commandments

Moses descends

the mountain with the

tablets of the Law

Mt. Sinai

Moses breaks the tablets upon

seeing the golden calf

Moses pleads with God on behalf of the

people

The Golden Calf

The people tire of waiting for Moses and build a golden calf to worship

SINAI COVENANT

God:In addition to the promises made to Abraham, God promises to be their God and they will be His people.

Gives them the 10 Commandments

(Decalogue, Covenant Code)

Israelites:Promise to obey God’s commands.

Offer sacrifice and are sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice(Blood covenant)

Terms

Signs

God and the Jewish people are still bound by this covenant

Natural Moral Law The God given ability to discern good and

evil through the use of reason. We are born with it.

Ten Commandments The Law given by God, in writing, to

Moses that prescribes moral obligations for the Israelites as part of their covenant with God. It is the core of the covenant.

The Two Great Commandments The Law of Love given to us by Jesus.

They summarize the 10 Commandments

MOSES & JESUS Saved at birth

Pharaoh King Herod

Egypt saves them as children “Shepherd”

Real shepherd “Good Shepherd”

Delivers the people from “bondage” Physical slavery Slavery to sin

Gives people the “Law” Ten Commandments Law of Love (Two Great Commandments)

PASSOVER/ EUCHARIST Celebration of thanks and

remembrance Deliverance from Egypt Deliverance from death

Blood of sacrifice Lamb Lamb of God

Death is avoided by participation in the sacrifice First born Eternal death

REMAINDER OF THE PENTATEUCH

Book of Leviticus Written by Levites, priests Continuation of the listing of laws and commandments of God A handbook for worship Stresses the centrality of formal worship in the spiritual and moral lives of the Israelites Contains both civil and religious laws

Book of Numbers A consequence of the Israelites actions at Mt. Sinai

God provides for and protects His people, Manna, water, It stresses God’s insistence that they maintain their faithfulness and holiness in order to be

worthy recipients of God’s promises Contains

A record of the experiences of the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness A census of the Israelites prior to their wandering in the desert and again before they enter Canaan A record of how the land was divided before entering the Promised Land

Book of Deuteronomy Moses is called a prophet in this book Contains a second listing of the 10 Commandments People are called to obey the Law not because of duty, but because of Love If the people obey the Law they will succeed, if they disobey they will fail Joshua is chosen to succeed Moses and lead the people into the promised land.