Book of Exodus

1. Liberation from Slavery Book of Exodus

2. Liberation: Liberation from slavery in Egypt “Great Escape” Liberation through the “Law” “Great Law” Author: Unknown, gathered from oral tradition and early writings Purpose: To tell the story of the liberation of Israel both through the miracles of the “exodus” and the Sinai Covenant Book of Exodus Themes: God liberates people from slavery and oppression God sustains the Israelites in the wilderness God forms a covenant marked by laws and rituals

3. Important Facts • 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

4. 400 years of slavery1650BC-1250BC The Beginning of the Book of Exodus finds the Israelites laboring as slaves in Egypt. (read Ex. 1: 1-14) At the end of the Book of Genesis the Israelites are happily living as guests in Egypt due to the generosity of the pharaoh. Why???

5. Moses is Saved Read Ex. 1: 15-22 What suffering is added to the Israelites lives? Read Ex.2: 1-10 What are the circumstances surrounding Moses’ birth? What does Moses’ name mean and why is it significant?

6. Moses kills an Egyptian Ex. 2: 11-14 Ex. 2: 15-22

7. The Call of Moses Ex. 2:20-22 Ex. 4: 10-17 Ex. 3:1-22 Ex.4: 2-5

8. 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

9. Plagues of Egypt Ex. 7: 25- 8:11 Ex. 8:12-15 Ex. 7: 14-24 Ex. 8:16-28 Ex. 9:1-7 Ex. 9:8-12 *God has power over nature* Ex. 19:21-29 Ex. 9: 13-34 Ex. 10:1-20

10. 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

11. The 10th Plague Passover Angel of Death Death of the Firstborn

12. The Departure of the Israelites Ex. 12: 37-51 Ex. 12:31-36 Pharaoh dismisses the Israelites *God has power over earthly rulers*

13. 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

14. Who are the people of the Exodus? Descendants of the original Israelites Slaves who left with the Israelites The number is less than the exaggerated number given in the Bible.

15. Mt. Sinai Arrival at the Mountain of God, Mt. Sinai God Speaks to Moses on the mountain Moses descends the mountain with the tablets of the Law God gives Moses the 10 Commandments

16. Sinai Covenant Terms 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) Signs

17. Punishment for The Golden Calf Moses breaks the tablets upon seeing the golden calf The people tire of waiting for Moses and build a golden calf to worship Moses pleads with God on behalf of the people

18. 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 prescribe 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 LAW

19. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS • I am the Lord, your God; You shall not have other gods before me. • You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain • Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day • Honor your mother and father • You shall not kill • You shall not commit adultery • You shall not steal • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor • You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife • You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods

20. 6.Be faithful and loyal to spouses Respect God’s gift of sexuality Practice chastity, self-control I. Place ones faith in God alone Worship, praise and thank God Believe in, trust, and love God 2. Speak the name of God, Jesus and the saints with reverence. Don’t curse Don’t call on God to witness a lie 7.Respect what belongs to others Share what you have with the needy 8.Be honest and truthful Avoid bragging Don’t say negative things about others 3. Gather to worship at Eucharist Rest and avoid unnecessary work on Sunday 9.Practice modesty in thoughts, words, actions and dress 4. Respect and obey parents, guardians and those in authority 10. Rejoice in the good fortune of others Don’t be jealous of others possessions Don’t be greedy 5. Respect your life and the lives of others

21. 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) Moses & Jesus

22. 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 Passover/ Eucharist

23. 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 LEVITICUS

24. Book of Leviticus Primarily a list of laws, rules and instructions to insure holiness and order in the people’s worship and way of life P U R I T Y J U B I L E E R I T U A L Social Justice

25. Book of Numbers 1,2,3,4... A census of the Israelites prior to their wandering in the desert And a record of how the land was divided just prior to reaching The promised land, Canaan A record of the experiences of the Israelites while they wandered in The wilderness It stresses God’s insistence that they maintain their faithfulness and holiness To be worthy recipients of God’s promises

26. Punishment for the golden calf • Generation of Israelites who left from Egypt will have died off. • Their descendants will cross Jordan and enter the Promised Land. • Social organization based on the 12 tribes • Experiences recorded in the Book of Numbers, including God’s protection in the wilderness against the enemies they encounter • Nourishment provided with a substance called “Manna”. Foreshadows the Eucharist 40 Years in the Desert

27. Book of Deuteronomy The “Law” is repeated to the people So that they will cross to the promised Land knowing they must keep the laws of God. Second list of commandments God’s Law requires total commitment; Obedience brings success, disobedience brings failure Moses passes authority to Joshua, son of Nun Moses does not cross into Canaan, he says Farewell to the people

28. Moses is called a prophet in this book 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 lead the people into the promised land. Deuteronomy