Exodus

CONTEXT OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING

HISTORICITY OF THE EVENT

RELIGIOUS MEANING OF THE EVENT

SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE EVENT

Exodus

PROPHETIC USE OF THE ANALOGY OF EXODUS

JESUS’ EXODUS

CHRISTIAN APPROPRIATION OF EXODUS

PATRISTIC EXPRESSION

SPIRITUALITY OF THE EXODUS

Exodus

THEMES OF EXODUS:

SLAVERY/FREEDOM ESCAPE FROM BONDAGE DIVINE INITITIATIVE COVENANT LAW PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WORSHIP OF YAHWEH

Exodus

THE TEN PLAGUES WATER TURNS TO BLOOD FROGS MOSQUITOES GADFLIES DEATH OF LIVESTOCK BOILS HAIL LOCUSTS DARKNESS DEATH OF FIRST-BORN

Exodus

THE PASSOVER: PESACH

THE FEAST: UNLEAVENED BREAD, LAMB, BITTER HERBS

CONSECRATION OF THE FIRST-BORN

CROSSING OF THE REED SEA

Exodus

ISRAEL IN THE DESERT

MANNA AND QUAILS WATER FROM THE ROCK BATTLES SINAITIC COVENANT: DECALOGUE INFIDELITY ISRAEL’S RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

Exodus

The Figure of Moses Leader Prophet Man of God Man of Prayer Weakness Strength

Exodus

The Figure of Moses Priesthood Law Provider Judge King Exodus Author Mystery

The Story of Exodus

The Desert Experience and the Covenant at Sinai

Exodus StoryExodos - from the Septuagint

meaning “going forth” from EgyptScholars believe the event occurred between 1300

and 1270 BCERoot of Israel’s history: prior to this event

traditions were centered on clans and individual persons

Documented in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

Exodus Story (con’t.)

3 major parts: Deliverance from Egypt; Covenant at Sinai; Establishing God’s Home in Israel

Deliverance from EgyptCall of Moses

Model for the call of the great prophets

Revelation of the divine name to Moses Yahweh - I am who I am

Confrontation with Pharaoh 10 Plagues

Escape through the sea Red Sea or Reed Sea?

Hardships in the desert

The Route of the Exodus

Covenant at SinaiCentral event of the Pentateuch Importance of Covenant to Israelite faith

binding agreement; solemn contract

Different types of covenants Parity Suzerainty

Israel’s response to God’s mighty actsProvides a framework for God’s earlier promises

"Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” (Ex. 19:3-6)

Eagle’s Wings Passage

The Ark of the CovenantRepetition is for emphasisPortable - could be carried with the people

as they moved, or even into battleThe Tent and the Ark were likely separate

traditions symbolizing the presence of Yahweh with his people

PURPOSES FOR THE BOOK OF EXODUS

To introduce Israel to her national beginnings by narrating the events which form the people and the nation and by instructing the people in the covenant relation and his ritual dwelling

To narrate the battle between Yahweh and Egypt on behalf of his people to bring about their deliverance from slavery

To explain the readiness of the people to accept Yahweh’s revelations of the Law

To describe the impatience of the people awaiting Yahweh's enthronement among the people according to his design

PURPOSES FOR THE BOOK OF EXODUS

To present the new constitution under which Israel will relate to Yahweh (the Mosaic Covenant)

To connect the people under God's promise to Abraham to the beginning of the theocratic kingdom under Moses

To reveal God as Yahweh--the one who will keep his

promises To express the importance of maintaining covenant

relationship with Yahweh