Exodus and CovenantExodus and Covenant

The relationship between God and The relationship between God and IsraelIsrael

Brief Review of Exodus 1-3Brief Review of Exodus 1-3

The family of Jacob (Israel) The family of Jacob (Israel) goes to Egypt to escape goes to Egypt to escape famine at the end of Genesisfamine at the end of Genesis

Exodus opens (1:1-7) with the Exodus opens (1:1-7) with the passing of generations and the passing of generations and the multiplication of the Israelitesmultiplication of the Israelites

The Egyptians fear their rising The Egyptians fear their rising power (1:8-9) and so increase power (1:8-9) and so increase their workload (1:11), but it their workload (1:11), but it does not work (1:12-13)does not work (1:12-13)

They then try genocideThey then try genocide Hebrew midwives – Shiprah Hebrew midwives – Shiprah

and Puah – do not cooperate and Puah – do not cooperate (1:18-19)(1:18-19)

Killing of the male babies Killing of the male babies takes its toll (1:22)takes its toll (1:22)

Moses survives (2:1-10) and is Moses survives (2:1-10) and is called by God to lead the called by God to lead the people (3:1-4:23)people (3:1-4:23)

The Task of MosesThe Task of Moses

3:12 “….and this shall 3:12 “….and this shall be the sign for you be the sign for you that it is I who sent that it is I who sent you: when you have you: when you have brought the people brought the people out of Egypt, you shall out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this worship God on this mountain.”mountain.”

The place is Sinai The place is Sinai (also called Horeb)(also called Horeb)

Some MappingSome Mapping

The ConflictThe Conflict

Exod 5:1-2 Afterward Exod 5:1-2 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “Thus Pharaoh and said, “Thus says the Lord, the God of says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, Israel, ‘Let my people go, so that they may so that they may celebrate a festival to me celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.’” But in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should heed Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord , do not know the Lord , and I will not let Israel and I will not let Israel go.” go.”

Pharaoh does not Pharaoh does not recognize the power of recognize the power of this Godthis God

Israel not thrilled either – Israel not thrilled either – already not crazy about already not crazy about Moses and then their Moses and then their workload is increased workload is increased (5:21)(5:21)

Moses then complains to Moses then complains to God (5:22)God (5:22)

God’s TaskGod’s TaskGod must prove God’s-self God must prove God’s-self worthy to Pharaohworthy to Pharaoh (Exod 6:1): (Exod 6:1):

Then the Lord said to Moses, Then the Lord said to Moses,

“Now you shall see what I will do “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.” of his land.”

God must also prove God’s-self God must also prove God’s-self worthy to the Israelitesworthy to the Israelites (Exod (Exod 6:6-8): 6:6-8):

… …I am the Lord, and I will free you I am the Lord, and I will free you

from the burden of the Egyptians from the burden of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you acts of judgment. I will take you as my people , and I will be your as my people , and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the God. You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has freed you Lord your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians. from the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I I will bring you into the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.possession. I am the Lord.

Proofs of God’s PresenceProofs of God’s PresenceExod 7:1 You shall speak all that I Exod 7:1 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. But I Israelites go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders will multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. When in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay my hand upon Egypt and will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring my people the Israelites, bring my people the Israelites, company by company, out of the company by company, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from and bring the Israelites out from among them.among them.

Aaron’s rod can turn into a snake Aaron’s rod can turn into a snake – and that is supposed to be a – and that is supposed to be a “wonder” that will impress the “wonder” that will impress the Egyptians; but the sorcerers of Egyptians; but the sorcerers of Pharaoh can do it, too. And even Pharaoh can do it, too. And even though Aaron’s snake swallows all though Aaron’s snake swallows all others, Pharaoh does not budge. others, Pharaoh does not budge. (8:8-13)(8:8-13)

Must turn now to 10 “plagues” or Must turn now to 10 “plagues” or proofs of God’s presenceproofs of God’s presence

1: Water to Blood1: Water to Blood

Erastus Salisbury FieldErastus Salisbury FieldHe Turned Their Waters into He Turned Their Waters into

BloodBlood

Asks to let people go three Asks to let people go three days into wilderness to days into wilderness to worship (7:16)worship (7:16)

Gives a sign…..”By this you Gives a sign…..”By this you shall know that I am the Lord” shall know that I am the Lord” (7:17)(7:17)

Magicians could replicate the Magicians could replicate the act (7:22)act (7:22)

Pharaoh’s heart stayed Pharaoh’s heart stayed hardened (7: 22)hardened (7: 22)

2: Frogs2: Frogs

Requests again for a Requests again for a worship time (8:1)worship time (8:1)

Plague of frogs comes Plague of frogs comes over all the land (8:6)over all the land (8:6)

Magicians replicate (8:7)Magicians replicate (8:7)

Pharaoh says take frogs Pharaoh says take frogs away and I will let the away and I will let the people worship (8:8), but people worship (8:8), but reneges (8:15)reneges (8:15)

3: Gnats3: Gnats

No request, just a No request, just a sign; dust to gnats sign; dust to gnats (8:16)(8:16)

Magicians cannot Magicians cannot replicate it (8:18)replicate it (8:18)

Magicians say: “This Magicians say: “This is the finger of God!” is the finger of God!” (8:19)(8:19)

4: Flies4: Flies

Request for release Request for release (8:20) to worship God(8:20) to worship God

God sets apart Goshen God sets apart Goshen (territory of Israelites) (territory of Israelites) (8:22-23) Thus I will (8:22-23) Thus I will make a distinction make a distinction between my people and between my people and your peopleyour people

Pharaoh seems to relent Pharaoh seems to relent (8:28), but does not once (8:28), but does not once the flies are gone (8:32)the flies are gone (8:32)

5: Diseased Livestock5: Diseased Livestock

J.M.W. TurnerJ.M.W. Turner Request again (9:1)Request again (9:1)

All livestock of the All livestock of the Egyptians struck Egyptians struck dead, but none of the dead, but none of the Israelites (9:6)Israelites (9:6)

Pharaoh refuses to Pharaoh refuses to act (9:7)act (9:7)

6: Boils6: Boils

No request, just a No request, just a command (9:8) – soot to command (9:8) – soot to dust to boilsdust to boils

Festering boils on Festering boils on everything – human, everything – human, animals, magicians (9:10-animals, magicians (9:10-11)11)

THE LORD hardens THE LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart (9:12)Pharaoh’s heart (9:12)

7: Thunder and Hail7: Thunder and Hail

Same request (9:13)Same request (9:13)

Rationale: vv 15-16 For by Rationale: vv 15-16 For by now I could have stretched out now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut and you would have been cut off from the earth. But this is off from the earth. But this is why I let you live: to show you why I let you live: to show you my power, and to make my my power, and to make my name resound through all the name resound through all the earth.earth.

Pharaoh still refuses to let Pharaoh still refuses to let them go once the storm has them go once the storm has stoppedstopped

8: Locusts8: LocustsOpens with hardening of Pharaoh’s Opens with hardening of Pharaoh’s heart by God (10:1); “that I may show heart by God (10:1); “that I may show these signs of mine among them, and these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell your children and that you may tell your children and your grandchildren how I have made your grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what signs I fools of the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them – so that you have done among them – so that you may know that I am the Lord.” may know that I am the Lord.”

It is really all about the Israelites and It is really all about the Israelites and not the Egyptians or the Pharaohnot the Egyptians or the Pharaoh

The officials plead with The officials plead with Pharaoh to let them go (10:7 – Pharaoh to let them go (10:7 – “How long shall this fellow be a “How long shall this fellow be a snare to us? Let the people snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship go, so that they may worship the Lord their God; do you not the Lord their God; do you not yet understand Egypt is yet understand Egypt is ruined?”)ruined?”)

Pharaoh says he will let them Pharaoh says he will let them go (v. 8), but will not let the go (v. 8), but will not let the children go (vv 10-11)children go (vv 10-11)

The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again (v.20)heart again (v.20)

9: Darkness9: Darkness

No warning again – just a No warning again – just a three day darkness (9:21-23)three day darkness (9:21-23)

Pharaoh says they can all go, Pharaoh says they can all go, but flocks stay (v 24). Moses but flocks stay (v 24). Moses says they need flocks to make says they need flocks to make sacrifices (vv 25-26)sacrifices (vv 25-26)

The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart again (v 27) and heart again (v 27) and Pharaoh dismisses Moses with Pharaoh dismisses Moses with a warning (v 28 and the panel a warning (v 28 and the panel next to this one)next to this one)

10: Death of the Firstborn10: Death of the Firstborn

Warning comes of it Warning comes of it with description in with description in chapter 11chapter 11

Passover is instituted Passover is instituted in chapter 12in chapter 12

Plague strikes in Plague strikes in 12:29-3112:29-31

The Exodus occurs in The Exodus occurs in 12:33-4212:33-42

More Passover More Passover regulations in the end regulations in the end of chapter 12 and in of chapter 12 and in chapter 13chapter 13

Exodus 12:4-8Exodus 12:4-8

Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: About midnight, I will Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: About midnight, I will go out through the land of Egypt. Every firstborn in the go out through the land of Egypt. Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of the Pharaoh land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female slave who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female slave who is behind the handmill, and all of the firstborn of the who is behind the handmill, and all of the firstborn of the livestock. Then there will be a loud cry throughout the livestock. Then there will be a loud cry throughout the whole land of Egypt, such as had never been or ever will whole land of Egypt, such as had never been or ever will be again. But not a dog shall growl at any of the be again. But not a dog shall growl at any of the Israelites – not at people, not at animals – so that you Israelites – not at people, not at animals – so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Then all of these officials of yours shall Egypt and Israel. Then all of these officials of yours shall come down to me, and bow low to me, saying: ‘Leave come down to me, and bow low to me, saying: ‘Leave us, you and all the people who follow you.’ After that I us, you and all the people who follow you.’ After that I will leave.” And in hot anger, he left Pharaoh. will leave.” And in hot anger, he left Pharaoh.

Death of Pharaoh’s Firstborn SonDeath of Pharaoh’s Firstborn SonSir Lawrence Alma TademaSir Lawrence Alma Tadema

PassoverPassover

Slaughter a lambSlaughter a lamb

Dip a brush in the blood Dip a brush in the blood and touch the lintel of and touch the lintel of your door and the your door and the doorposts with itdoorposts with it

When the Lord moves When the Lord moves through, blood will be through, blood will be seen and the home will seen and the home will be “passed over”be “passed over”

Unleavened bread and Unleavened bread and roasted lamb are foods roasted lamb are foods for people on the movefor people on the move

It is done to remember It is done to remember deliverance deliverance

Other ChallengesOther Challenges

Crossing the Red Sea: 14:11-Crossing the Red Sea: 14:11-12 “Was it because there 12 “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have in the wilderness? What have you done to us bringing us out you done to us bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the us alone and let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”wilderness.”

V 13-14 Moses said to the V 13-14 Moses said to the people. “Do not be afraid, people. “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today the Egyptians you see today you shall never see again. you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and The Lord will fight for you, and you only have to keep still.”you only have to keep still.”

Some ImagesSome Images

And more challengesAnd more challenges

Food, chapter 16Food, chapter 16

Water, chapter 17Water, chapter 17

Enemies, chapter 17Enemies, chapter 17

Finally at SinaiFinally at Sinai

19:3-6 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord 19:3-6 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.” These are the words you shall holy nation.” These are the words you shall speak to the Israelites.speak to the Israelites.

CovenantCovenant

Hebrew word is Hebrew word is tyrbtyrb (b(beerit) which means rit) which means ‘bond’ or ‘fetter.’‘bond’ or ‘fetter.’

Modeled on Modeled on suzerainty-vassal suzerainty-vassal treaty forms from the treaty forms from the ANEANE

ProloguePrologue

StipulationsStipulations

Blessings and CursesBlessings and Curses

It is a matter of choice It is a matter of choice whether or not you whether or not you enter into such an enter into such an agreement; you are agreement; you are not compellednot compelled

Moses gets the LawMoses gets the Law

Ten WordsTen Words(Compare Deuteronomy 5)(Compare Deuteronomy 5)

Ten Words is the form Ten Words is the form – not commandment. – not commandment. The expansions came The expansions came in laterin later

Prologue: I am the Prologue: I am the Lord your God who Lord your God who brought you up out of brought you up out of the land of Egyptthe land of Egypt

After they heard After they heard them, the people them, the people were afraid. Told were afraid. Told Moses: ‘You speak to Moses: ‘You speak to us, and we will listen; us, and we will listen; but do not let God but do not let God speak to us, or we will speak to us, or we will die.’die.’

The StipulationsThe Stipulations

No other gods before meNo other gods before me

No idolsNo idols

No wrongful use of God’s No wrongful use of God’s namename

Remember the sabbathRemember the sabbath

Honor your father and Honor your father and mothermother

Do not murderDo not murder

Do not commit adulteryDo not commit adultery

Do not stealDo not steal

Do not bear false witness Do not bear false witness against your neighboragainst your neighbor

Do not covert your Do not covert your neighbor’s house, wife, neighbor’s house, wife, slaves, other belongingsslaves, other belongings

Community (6-10)

Family (5)

God (1-4)10 Commandments Schematic

TroubleTrouble

While Moses is still on the While Moses is still on the mountain, the people mountain, the people want to break the 1want to break the 1stst two two commandments and get commandments and get Aaron to help (32:1)Aaron to help (32:1)

God gets mad first, but God gets mad first, but Moses joins in quickly (vv Moses joins in quickly (vv 7-14 and then 15-20)7-14 and then 15-20)

Reiteration of the LawReiteration of the Law

Deuteronomy – Deuteronomy – second lawsecond law

Older material Older material combined with newer combined with newer and edited probably and edited probably first during Jeremiah’s first during Jeremiah’s time and then again in time and then again in the post-exilic periodthe post-exilic period

Shema – Shema – umvumv hear, hear, listen (with the idea of listen (with the idea of ‘obey’ built in‘obey’ built in

Central text of Central text of Israelite and now Israelite and now Jewish confessionJewish confession

Deuteronomy 6:4-9Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Keep these words that I am your strength. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house.of your house.

Some ThoughtsSome Thoughts

The initial focus is on God – who God is to the people who confess The initial focus is on God – who God is to the people who confess and pray. The focus is on the ultimate power of that Godand pray. The focus is on the ultimate power of that God

Contemplating the nature of God is required when speaking hereContemplating the nature of God is required when speaking here

Jewish law requires a greater measure of concentration on the first Jewish law requires a greater measure of concentration on the first verse of the verse of the ShemaShema than on the rest of the prayer. People than on the rest of the prayer. People commonly close their eyes or cover them with the palm of their hand commonly close their eyes or cover them with the palm of their hand while reciting it to eliminate every distraction and help them while reciting it to eliminate every distraction and help them concentrate on the meaning of the words. The final word, concentrate on the meaning of the words. The final word, echadechad, , should be prolonged and emphasized. Often, the last letter of the should be prolonged and emphasized. Often, the last letter of the first and last words of the first and last words of the ShemaShema verse are written in larger print in verse are written in larger print in the siddur. This is because these letters form the word "the siddur. This is because these letters form the word "eded," witness, ," witness, and remind Jews of their duty to serve as witnesses to God's and remind Jews of their duty to serve as witnesses to God's sovereignty by leading exemplary lives. -- Shira Schoenberg sovereignty by leading exemplary lives. -- Shira Schoenberg

Heart, Soul, StrengthHeart, Soul, Strength

Heart – seat of the will Heart – seat of the will and the conscience. It is and the conscience. It is not about emotion here, it not about emotion here, it is about intellect, what is about intellect, what one determines to do.one determines to do.

Soul – not the spiritual Soul – not the spiritual self, because remember self, because remember the body and the soul are the body and the soul are one in Hebrew. It is the one in Hebrew. It is the self, the person, one’s self, the person, one’s being.being.

Strength – with all of Strength – with all of one’s resources; physical, one’s resources; physical, mental, emotional. You mental, emotional. You love with everything you love with everything you have.have.

Keeping the LawKeeping the Law

In one’s heart. In one’s heart. Not external to the selfNot external to the self

Deut 10:16 Circumcise the Deut 10:16 Circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longernot be stubborn any longer

Deut 30:6 Moreover, the Lord Deut 30:6 Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your heart and the heart of your descendents, so that you will descendents, so that you will love the Lord your God with all love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may livesoul, in order that you may live

Obligation is to your childrenObligation is to your children You must instruct your You must instruct your

children in the obligations – no children in the obligations – no outside authority does it for outside authority does it for youyou

You must do it constantly. You must do it constantly. Home is the center, but your Home is the center, but your obligation does not cease obligation does not cease when you are away. And it is when you are away. And it is an enterprise done night and an enterprise done night and day.day.

Bind them as a sign on your handBind them as a sign on your hand

Tefillin shel yadTefillin shel yad

Small boxes (battim) with portions of the Torah -- Small boxes (battim) with portions of the Torah -- handwritten and in a special script -- are affixed to the handwritten and in a special script -- are affixed to the arm and then tied to the hand. It is done for morning arm and then tied to the hand. It is done for morning prayer and then removed. Boxes and straps are leather.prayer and then removed. Boxes and straps are leather.

Fix them as an emblem on your Fix them as an emblem on your foreheadforehead

Tefillin shel roshTefillin shel rosh

Also leather box containing part of the torah Also leather box containing part of the torah handwritten and then strapped onhandwritten and then strapped on

Tefillin Tefillin

Write them on the doorposts of Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gatesyour house and on your gates

Box contains portion of Box contains portion of the torah handwrittenthe torah handwritten

You put it on the doorpost You put it on the doorpost of the homeof the home

Kiss your fingers and Kiss your fingers and touch it when you go intouch it when you go in

Typical to have a Typical to have a vv on the on the frontfront

Mezzuzah (Mezuzah)Mezzuzah (Mezuzah)

MessageMessage

There is no split There is no split between secular and between secular and sacredsacred

The obligations of the The obligations of the law (there are 613 law (there are 613 mitzvot or mitzvot or commandments) are commandments) are constantconstant

Every aspect of your Every aspect of your life is lived in life is lived in response to Godresponse to God

Deut 30:11-14 (v 14: Deut 30:11-14 (v 14: No, the word is very No, the word is very near to you; it is in near to you; it is in your mouth and in your mouth and in your heart for you to your heart for you to observe)observe)

Why Israel is obligatedWhy Israel is obligated

Deut 26:5-9 A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he Deut 26:5-9 A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of signs and outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, and land flowing with milk and honey.this land, and land flowing with milk and honey.