God and Ethics

1. God and Ethics God: the source and the summit of our search for the good

2. Revelation • God wants to be known and reveals himself to us in innumerable ways -perhaps we think of God’s revelation in dramatic terms – such as the way that He revealed Himself to Moses (i.e.. the burning bush, or giving the Ten Commandments) -maybe we think of Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God and of how He wants to have a relationship with us

3. But do we recognize God in other ways? -often people speak of personal encounters with God and these can be somewhat unexplainable, yet they have profound meaning for the individuals -some people speak of encounters with God in terms of observing His handiwork (i.e.. seeing a sunset, the majesty of the mountains) -do we see God in other people? Do we recognize the intrinsic value of other people who are made in the image and likeness of God? Do we recognize the miracle that is human life in a new born baby? -is God revealed to us through the holy scripture and through the sacraments? -some people experience God through quiet contemplation, meditation or prayer

4. Is God truly present in our lives? -God invites us to have a relationship with him, but it is our choice whether or not to accept this invitation. However, once this invitation has been accepted, there is the chance that our lives will become radically transformed (an unsettling prospect for some). -it should not be surprising that even people of great faith have had times of uncertainty or doubt as to God’s presence in their lives. Even someone like Mother Theresa experienced profound periods of time in which she felt the absence of God in her life – yet she still continued to strive to live a life of service to other people. -do we create for ourselves a God with attributes or characteristics that are pleasing to ourselves (make God in our own image)? Do we contemplate a God who is beyond our comprehension and therefore feel incapable of ever coming to understand Him? -allowing God to be present, or recognizing God’s presence, in our lives is an intensely personal matter. Faith in God can be encouraged by other people, but the decision to open ourselves to God is by and large a personal choice. -God’s presence in our lives can be transforming, but it can also call us to action (actions that we might hesitate to undertake). God’s presence in our lives can create a covenant. Which is a bond between God and His people. A bond which calls us to be faithful to God’s love for us.

5. The story of Moses • The story of Moses in part discusses how God can have a personal relationship with individuals. But it is also a story of how God enters into a covenant with people.

6. Points on the life of Moses • Born in Egypt • Parents were from the tribe of Levi • At the time Israelites were held in slavery under the Egyptian pharaoh • Moses’ mother saved his life – as a baby he was left to be discovered by the pharaoh’s daughter, who then raised him as an Egyptian • Moses had siblings – Aaron and Miriam • In trying to protect a Hebrew slave, Moses kills an Egyptian overseer. • Moses is forced to flee • He arrives in Midian and is welcomed into the home of Jethro • He marries one of Jethro’s daughters and has children • He has an encounter with God on the mountain (burning bush) • God tells Moses that he has heard his people cry and will establish a covenant with the Israelites. He will deliver them from slavery and they will worship Him. (covenant) • God reveals his name as YHWH (I am who I am) • Moses attempts to back out of his mission (says “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt” and “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”)

7. Moses’ Mission • Moses’ mission is to speak for God • He is to be a prophet – a conduit between God and the Israelites • Moses tries to convince God that he is unworthy (slow of speech – not a good communicator) • God answer is that He will “teach you what you are to speak” – God’s covenants are like this, He will be the source of strength. • Moses still tries to back out – says his brother Aaron would be a better choice. God loses his patience with Moses – reluctantly Moses accepts • Moses has a heck of a time convincing the Pharaoh to listen to God (10 plagues) • After last plague, the Israelites are set free (Passover). • When times are good for the people of Israel, they are happy – but they turn on Moses and God when faced with hardships. • After travelling in the wilderness, Moses goes up to Mount Sinai – God furthers the covenant – if the people keep the covenant they shall be a priestly people (maybe a foreshadowing that they are to be a group that will ultimately bring other nations to God) and a holy nation. • Conditions of the covenant are set out with God giving Moses the 10 Commandments

8. 10 Commandments • No other gods before me. No idols. • Don’t misuse the name of the Lord. • Keep the Sabbath holy. • Honour father and mother • No murder • No adultery • No stealing • No false witnessing • No coveting wife • No coveting possessions

9. The covenant with God seems very restrictive (a lot of “NOs and don’ts) • However, on further examination, the conditions are more for our benefit. God is not just freeing us from slavery – but also is freeing us from the slavery of sin – those actions which damage our relationships with Him and with our neighbors. • In keeping the covenant, we grow in our search for the good. In our obedience to God, we are set free.

10. 5 Traits of a Covenant • The Preamble – names are given, titles and attributes are established, the parties to the covenant are identified • The Historical Prologue – previous relationship between the parties is identified, the benefits that the sovereign bestows onto the others • The Submission – what the sovereign expects in return. Sets out terms for the future relationship. • The Witnesses – the signatories to the covenant, the people who can vouch for the veracity of the agreement. • The blessings and the curses – identifying what will happen if one remains faithful or is unfaithful to the terms of the covenant. A covenant is more than a legal document – it is the establishment of a special relationship between two parties. The covenant that God establishes with Moses and the Israelites displays these traits. God’s covenant with us ultimately about helping us to seek what is good.

11. Attributes of God Assignment Part I: The Attributes of God Although we can never truly have complete knowledge of God, we can come to understand certain aspects of Him. In a sense, we can understand some of His attributes. In your lesson today, you will examine some of these characteristics. Using a dictionary, define the words below. Underneath each word, you will notice a Bible passage. Write out the Bible passage. Using both the definition and the Bible passage provide your own explanation of each attribute of God. A web-site that you can use to find the Bible passages is: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/ Omnipotent: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Matthew 19:26) • Your own explanation: Omniscient: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Psalm 139: 1-2) • Your own explanation: Sovereign • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Isaiah 46: 9-10) • Your own explanation: Holy: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Luke 1:49) • Your own explanation:

12. Attributes of God Just: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Isaiah 5:16) • Your own explanation: Everlasting: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Exodus 15:18) • Your own explanation: Wise: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (Proverbs 3:19) • Your own explanation: Faithful: • Definition: • Bible Passage: (1 John 1:9) • Your own explanation: Good • Definition: • Bible Passage: (John 10:11) • Your own explanation:

13. Other Attributes of God Part II: There are other words that are used to give attributes of God. For each of the following words, provide a definition of the word and then in your own words explain how this definition applies to God. • Merciful • Omnipresent • Immutable • Transcendent