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Chapter 3: Exodus, the Law, and the Rise of the Kingdom

Chapter 3: Exodus, the Law, and the Rise of the Kingdom. UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90). ANTICIPATORY SET Read aloud about the Hebrews and Moses ’ early years (cf. Ex 1:1—2:10). 1. Moses (pp. 88–90). BASIC QUESTIONS

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Chapter 3: Exodus, the Law, and the Rise of the Kingdom

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  1. Chapter 3: Exodus, the Law, and the Rise of the Kingdom UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

  2. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) ANTICIPATORY SET Read aloud about the Hebrews and Moses’ early years (cf. Ex 1:1—2:10).

  3. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) BASIC QUESTIONS How did Moses escape the fate of many male Hebrews? Why did Moses flee Egypt? What did God reveal to Moses in the burning bush? KEY IDEAS The Hebrews became slaves in Egypt; all male Israelite children were ordered to be killed at birth; Moses escaped this fate and was brought up in Pharaoh’s court. Moses fled Egypt after he had killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was abusing a Hebrew slave. In the form of a burning bush, God revealed to Moses his compassion toward his people and his name, “I Am Who I Am”; Moses was told to tell Pharaoh to allow the Hebrews to go into the desert to offer sacrifices.

  4. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) FOCUS QUESTIONS What does the Sacred Author of Exodus mean when he referred to the new Pharaoh “who did not know Joseph”? Unlike his predecessors, this Pharaoh refused to have good relations with the people of Israel, perhaps because he did not know about Joseph’s saving deeds centuries earlier. Why were the Egyptians in dread of the people of Israel? The Israelites’ numbers were growing rapidly. What argument did Pharaoh use to justify having oppressed the Hebrews? If the Hebrews were allowed to continue to multiply and there came a war, they might join Egypt’s enemies.

  5. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) GUIDED EXERCISE A think / pair / share: How is Moses’ escape from death a type of Baptism?  GUIDED EXERCISE Work in an assigned group of three or four to complete Practical Exercise 1 (p. 121). Class discussion: Why does God choose those who are weak and have few apparent skills to do his work?

  6. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) FOCUS QUESTIONS How was Moses raised? He was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter with all the benefits of a prince of Egypt, though his Hebrew mother secretly taught him the faith of the Israelites. What did Moses begin to notice as he grew into manhood? He saw Egyptians treating his people badly. Why did Moses commit murder? Enraged at the abuse of a Hebrew slave, Moses killed the Egyptian taskmaster.

  7. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) FOCUS QUESTIONS What did Moses do when he saw two Hebrews fighting? He tried to break up the fight. What was the accusation against Moses by the Hebrew who had started the fight? “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?” He said Moses tried to rule the Hebrews. Why did Moses flee into Midian? Since the Hebrews knew he had killed the Egyptian, he thought the Egyptians would find out. If Pharaoh were to learn, his life would not be safe.

  8. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) FOCUS QUESTIONS How did God appear to Moses? He appeared in a bush that burned but was not consumed by the flames. What was Moses’ reaction to having heard God’s voice? He was “afraid to look at God.” Why did God identify himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? God is specific and personal. He was saying he was not the God of all the descendants of Abraham, not the God of all the descendants of his son Isaac, but specifically the God of the descendants of Jacob: the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who comprised Moses’ people.

  9. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) FOCUS QUESTIONS What did God reveal to Moses as his intention? He would bring his people to the land he had promised Abraham. What name did God reveal to Moses? “I am who I am.” According to the Catechism, no. 204, what was the fundamental Revelation from God at the burning bush? The fundamental Revelation was the divine name.

  10. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) Guided Exercise Complete the following graphic to “unpack” the content of CCC 203.

  11. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90)

  12. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) CLOSURE Write a paragraph about God’s Revelation to Moses. Include these ideas: What God revealed about his relationship to the Hebrews What God revealed about his inner nature

  13. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 1–7 (p. 119) Practical Exercise 1 (p. 121) Workbook Questions 1–17 Read “The Message to Pharaoh” through “The Plagues” (pp. 91–92)

  14. 1. Moses (pp. 88–90) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT In light of the name God revealed in the burning bush, discusshow the Jews of Jesus’ time would have reacted to the following statement: “Jesus said to [the Jews], ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am’” (Jn 8:58).

  15. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) ANTICIPATORY SET Review page 90 beginning with “Instead, God narrowed . . .” Then discuss the following question: Why did Moses not want to represent the Israelites before Pharaoh?

  16. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) BASIC QUESTION What is the relationship among Israel’s animal sacrifice, the Egyptians’ pagan worship, and the plagues? KEY IDEA God commanded Israel to sacrifice animals the Egyptians worshiped as gods; the plagues, which resulted from Pharaoh’s refusal to allow the Hebrews to go out into the wilderness, were judgments against Egypt’s gods.

  17. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) FOCUS QUESTIONS What did Moses demand of Pharaoh? He demanded the Hebrews be allowed to make a three‑day journey into the wilderness to make sacrifices to the Lord. How did Pharaoh respond to Moses’ request? He assigned the Hebrews even more work so they would have no time to think about leaving to make sacrifices. How might the first nine plagues be arranged to aid understanding? They may be arranged in three cycles of three each, with warnings before the first two in each cycle and no warning for the third.

  18. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) GUIDED EXERCISE Read silently the paragraph “Of course, God...” (p. 91), and then do a think / pair / share using the following question: Why do you think Pharaoh did not listen to Moses until he had suffered many plagues? GUIDED EXERCISES Write a paragraph summarizing the meaning of God’s message for Pharaoh, “Israel is my first‑born son,” and God’s demand, “Let my people go.” GUIDED EXERCISES Read silently the paragraph “What does Moses . . .” (p. 92), and then write a paragraph explaining why the Israelites’ sacrifice of cattle would have been abominable to the Egyptians.

  19. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) FOCUS QUESTIONS Why did God ask for sacrifices of cattle, sheep, and goats? The Egyptians worshiped these as gods; thus, Israel was taught to give up attachment to the Egyptian’s false gods. How were the plagues judgments on the false gods? Some plagues affected Egyptian worship. God turned the Nile, which the Egyptians worshiped as a god, into blood. God brought a plague on cattle; they worshiped a bull. God sent a plague of frogs; they worshiped a frog. Thus, they were left to wade through piles of stinking, dead Egyptian “gods.” What interpretation does the Book of Wisdom give to the plagues of Egypt? It reveals the foolishness of the Egyptians led them to worship creatures, so God sent creatures to punish them.

  20. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) CLOSURE Write a paragraph about the relationship among the animal sacrifice the Hebrews were required to make, the plagues the Egyptians suffered, and the Egyptians’ false gods.

  21. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 8–11 (p. 119) Practical Exercise 5 (p. 121) Workbook Questions 18–24 Read “The Message to Pharaoh” through “The Plagues” (pp. 93–97)

  22. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Have each student work with a partner to complete the following table on the cycles of plagues God sent Pharaoh.

  23. 2. The Ten Plagues (pp. 91–92)

  24. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) ANTICIPATORY SET Read aloud the institution of the Passover (cf. Ex 12:1–28).

  25. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) BASIC QUESTIONS What is the Passover? How were the Hebrews saved from the Egyptian army? How did God feed the Israelites in the desert? KEY IDEAS The Passover was God’s final judgment upon Egypt: An angel of death slew every Egyptian firstborn son, but the Hebrews were spared through the blood of a lamb. The Passover lamb was eaten in a ritual meal which Jews were to repeat every year as a commemoration. The Passover lamb is a type of Christ. God saved the Hebrews from the Egyptian army by parting the Red Sea, which is a type of Baptism. In the desert, God miraculously sent the Israelites food and water, manna being a type of the Eucharist.

  26. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) FOCUS QUESTIONS What did the last, or tenth, plague kill? Every firstborn male in Egypt, both man and beast, was killed (cf. Ex 12:29; Ps 135:8). How were the Israelites spared from the last, or tenth, plague? They spread the blood of a sacrificed lamb over the lintels and doorposts of their homes as a sign for the Angel of Death to pass over, sparing the firstborn males therein. What was the Passover meal? It was a ceremonial feast wherein God ordered the Hebrews to eat the meat of the sacrificed lamb. This meal was to be repeated every year.

  27. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) FOCUS QUESTIONS What does passover mean? The Angel of Death would pass through Egypt. Wherever a house was sprinkled with the blood of the lamb, the angel would not enter, or pass over, that house. From a Jewish perspective, why did the Jews celebrate the Passover year after year? God wanted the Jews to remember the Lord’s powerful deliverance of the Chosen People from slavery.

  28. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) FOCUS QUESTIONS From a Christian perspective, why did the Jews celebrate the Passover? This Passover remembrance and meal, in addition to the previous answer, was to prepare the Jews to understand the Death of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. How is the Passover lamb a type of Christ? The sacrifice of the male lamb without blemish and the sprinkling of its blood saved the firstborn sons of Israel from immediate death and led to the Hebrews’ freedom from slavery to the Egyptians. St. John the Baptist called Christ the Lamb of God (cf. Jn 1:29). The sacrifice of the Lamb of God, unblemished by sin, on the Cross freed all people from slavery to sin and eternal death. St. Paul identified Christ with the Passover lamb: “Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor 5:7).

  29. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to explain passing through the Red Sea as a type of the Sacrament of Baptism.

  30. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) FOCUS QUESTIONS Why did Pharaoh decide to pursue the Israelites? He repented of having released such cheap labor and wanted to reclaim them. How did the Israelites soon feel about the Exodus? They complained Moses had led them out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness. What does the word exodus mean? Greek for going out, it refers to Israel’s release and flight from Egypt. Extension: This word also applies to Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection as the Redemption of all people from slavery to sin and eternal death.

  31. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) FOCUS QUESTION Why did the Hebrews regret having left Egypt? They were hungry in the wilderness, and they remembered when they were “in the land of Egypt, when [they] sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full” (Ex 16:3). What is manna? Manna is Hebrew for “what is it?” It is a substance God sent from Heaven; the Israelites in the wilderness used it to make bread. How is manna a type of the Eucharist? People of Christ’s time said Moses gave the Israelites in the desert a sign—bread from Heaven—which they ate in the wilderness; they asked Christ what sign he would give them. “Truly, truly, I say to you... my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world” (Jn 6:32–33). The Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ, the daily bread of the faithful that sustains the spiritual life.

  32. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) GUIDED EXERCISE Silently read Exodus 17:1–7 and 1 Corinthians 10:1–4 and write about the rock at Massah and Meribah as a type of Christ.

  33. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) CLOSURE Moses was a man who spoke with God. Estimate amount of time you spend each day in prayer. How much time do you spend each day in recreation? How do these two estimates compare? Formulate three personal suggestions to increase your daily prayer time.

  34. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 12–18 (p. 119) Practical Exercise 2 (p. 121) Workbook Questions 25–40 Read “The Covenant at Sinai” through “The Institution of the Priesthood” (pp. 98–102)

  35. 3. The Exodus (pp. 93–97) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Free write for five minutes explaining the Passover meal as a type of the Mass.

  36. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) ANTICIPATORY SET Read aloud about the golden calf (cf. Ex 32:1–35). Write for two minutes about something surprising within this story. Briefly share responses.

  37. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) BASIC QUESTIONS What is the Decalogue? How did the Israelites abandon their covenant with God? What prevented God from destroying the nation of Israel? KEY IDEAS The Decalogue is a privileged expression of the natural law. With Aaron’s help, the Israelites abandoned God and sinfully worshiped an idol. God was going to destroy the Israelites, but Moses interceded on their behalf.

  38. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTIONS Where did God reveal his covenant with the people Israel? He revealed it on Mt. Sinai, upon the foot of which he had revealed his name to Moses from the burning bush. What did God promise the people of Israel? If they would obey his covenant, God promised they would belong to him in a special way and be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. How did the Israelites respond to the offer of a covenant? They agreed to it.

  39. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) GUIDED EXERCISE Read aloud the Catechismno. 1981 (p. 123). The Mosaic Law contains many truths accessible to human reason. In your assigned group, formulate and explainhow your commandment accords with reason and how one could discover it naturally, i.e., “reason to it.” GUIDED EXERCISE Write a paragraph explaining what it means to be a nation of priests, relating this to God’s promise to Abraham that all people would be blessed through him. 

  40. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) GUIDED EXERCISE – Personal Journaling Aaron and the Israelites who wanted to worship the golden calf led the nation into sin. It is good for each person to examine his or her life to recognize those situations in which he or she is leading others (e.g., family members, coworkers, friends) into sinful practices. Write for five minutes responding to the following question: Which actions of mine tend to lead others to sin? (This question is personal and what you write will not be shared.) Brainstorm ways people can avoid leading others into sin. Share these ideas.

  41. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTIONS What is prohibited in the First Commandment? God prohibits making graven images as idols to worship or serve. How did God promise to treat those who hate and those who love him? God promised to punish those who hate him to the third and fourth generation. He promised to bless those who love him through thousands of generations. What did God require on the seventh day? God required the Chosen People, their servants, their sojourners, and even their animals to rest on the Sabbath day.

  42. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTION What was the Ark of the Covenant? It was the ornate container that held sacred objects, including the two tablets on which the Decalogue was written. Where was Moses as the Israelites were getting into trouble? He was alone with God on Mt. Sinai. Why did Aaron demand the people give him their gold earrings? Perhaps he was trying to deter them from wanting an idol since it would cost them valuable jewelry.

  43. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTION What claim did the Israelites make about the golden calf? They said, “These are your gods... who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” (Ex 32:4). Extension: They knew the one true God had brought them out of Egypt, having defeated the false gods. Why were the people attracted to the worship of idols? They were attracted probably out of sensuality. They “sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (Ex 32:6). In other words, they had a feast, drank, and danced. What laws of the Decalogue did the Israelites break when they worshiped the molten calf? They broke the First Commandment by having made a graven image and worshiping it. Inferred also is a breaking of the Sixth Commandment against sexual immorality.

  44. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTIONS What wording did God use to show he and his people were disowning each other? God spoke of “your [Moses’] people” whom “you [Moses]” brought out of Egypt. God no longer referred to them as his people, but Moses’. What did God offer to Moses? God offered to destroy the Israelites and raise up a new people for Moses to lead. In other words, he would have been a New Abraham. Despite his knowledge of what the Israelites were doing in the camp, how did Moses react to having seen their revelry, and what did this action mean? Moses smashed the two stone tablets of the Decalogue. This symbolized the covenant had been broken.

  45. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) FOCUS QUESTIONS Which tribe of the Israelites had remained loyal to God? The Tribe of Levi had remained loyal. About how many idolaters did the Levites slay in the Hebrews’ camp? They slew about 3000. How was God’s relationship with Israel to be different than first envisioned? Initially, Israel was to be a nation of priests who would lead the rest of the nations of the world to the Lord. However, because of the Israelites’ sin, the Lord made the Levites mediators of his Chosen People, but he remained a God of steadfast love and forgiveness.

  46. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) CLOSURE Write a paragraph about the extent to which the Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled in the Mosaic Covenant.

  47. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 19–27 (p. 119) Practical Exercise 4 (p. 121) Workbook Questions 41–53 Read “After the Fall” through the sidebar “The Tabernacle in the Wilderness” (pp. 102–106)

  48. 4. The Law (pp. 98–102) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT The Israelites failed to sacrifice their desires in favor of the will of God. In the same way, people often fail to understand the life of a Christian as a call to sacrifice one’s desires for the will of God. Discussthe following question: Who are today’s heroes? The difficulty with identifying true heroes has to do with the multitude of cultural ideas that equate money, power, and ability with heroism. Free write in response to the following statement: True heroism consists of personal sacrifice for a cause or the good of others, and it may include the sacrifice of one’s life.

  49. 5. In the Wilderness (pp. 102–106) ANTICIPATORY SET Silently read the first three paragraphs of the section “After the Fall” (p. 102), and then do a think / pair / share using the following question: How did the Hebrew priesthood change as a result of the worship of the golden calf?

  50. 5. In the Wilderness (pp. 102–106) BASIC QUESTIONS What was the function of the Levitical priesthood? How did Israel respond to God’s plan to settle in Canaan? What is the Book of Deuteronomy? KEY IDEAS The Levites were given the priesthood that would have belonged to all the people; they were thus mediators between the Israelites and God. The Israelites rejected God’s plan to settle in the land of Canaan, so God had them wander in the desert for the rest of their lives. The Book of Deuteronomy is the book of laws Moses gave to the nation of Israel as its constitution before its entry into the Promised Land; it was an imperfect law that made concessions to the Israelites’ hard hearts and was amended as times changed.

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