Post on 27-Feb-2021
A Guide for the Perplexed:
Exodus
Deacon Mark Koscinski
St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church
Hillsborough NJ
March 15, 2015
Why Do We Read the OT?
These things happened to them
as examples and were written down
as warnings for us, ...
So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don't fall!
- 1 Cor. 10:11,12 NIV
Source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Why Do We Read Exodus?
We are Byzantine
Catholics. Why do we look
at Exodus?
We see the Face of Christ
in the Old Testament.
He is present in this Book.
3
Christ in Exodus
The Cross—Moses holding out his arms in the
form of the cross during the battle with Amalek
and the parting of seas.
Baptism-coming up out of the water to new life.
The Temple and ritual--Our churches resemble
the Temple.
The proper reverence of sacred icons.
Timeless law that we must obey.
What does Exodus Mean?
Exodus means departure or leaving.
For the Israelites, it was departure
from the Slavery of Egypt.
For us, it is the departure from the
Slavery of Sin.
Source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
The Pentateuch
1. Genesis –The Beginning
2. Exodus—the Delivery from Slavery
3. Leviticus—the Book of Laws
4. Numbers—A history of the Wandering
5. Deuteronomy—the farewell discourse of Moses
Was it really forty years in the desert? Forty is used in the
Bible to mean a long time. For instance, it rained for forty days
and forty nights; Jesus was in the desert for forty days, etc.
The First Five Books of the
Bible Cover….
From the Creation
Until Moses’ death
Moses was not allowed to enter
the Promised Land
There is a Jewish tradition he was
taken directly to heaven
Which is why he appears with Elijah at the Transfiguration.
When was the Exodus?
No one is completely certain.
Estimates are from 1500 BC to 1200 BC
Important tidbit:
Jews were given leeway in the practice
of their religion since it was an ancient
as the Roman religion.
Rome was founded in 753 BC. The religion of the Jews
predated even the Roman Republic and their false Gods.
When Do We Read
Exodus?
It is integral to our preparation for
the Paschal season.
Exodus is read during Holy Week.
9
Exodus Outline
Ex. 1
Slavery of the Israelites
A new pharaoh
Ex. 2-4
• Moses
He has an Egyptian name
A truly human figure
Sometimes strong, sometimes weak
Unsure of his speaking ability
Outline source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Exodus Outline
Ex. 5-12
10 plagues
1st Passover and the exodus
Ex. 13-18
Journey from Egypt to Mt. Sinai
Where is Mt. Sinai?
There is a monastery on the traditional
site
But in truth, no one is quite sure
The Monastery on Mt. Sinai is St. Catherine’s.
Exodus Outline
Ex. 19-31
The Law given on Mt. Sinai
The beginning of the nation of Israel
Ex. 32
Idolatry (golden calf) and punishment
Are there Ten Commandments? Actually, no. The first five
books of the Bible have 613. In fact, there are two different
versions of the Ten Commandments. Can you find them?
Exodus Outline
Ex. 33-34
Regiving of the Law on Mt. Sinai
Ex. 35-40
Moses instructs Israel
Tabernacle constructed—the beginning of
the Temple.
Priestly robes and other ritual objects made
The Ark of the Covenant was contained in a tent like structure.
This was the Tabernacle. Later, Solomon built the Temple for
it.
Schematic of the Tabernacle 14
source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
What commands to obey
Timeless moral commands (mentioned in
both the O.T. & N.T and reaffirmed by
Jesus.
Other revealed commands (unique to the
N.T., but given by Jesus and the apostles)
Exclude obsolete O.T. commands
(those not repeated in the N.T., like
circumcision, animal sacrifices, visiting
Jerusalem three times each year, not
working on Saturdays, etc.)
source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Falsehood of Idolatry
Most of the 10 plagues made one or more
Egyptian gods lose face
This helped both Israelites and Egyptians
see that Yahweh was the one true God
Golden calf incident in Ex. 32
Source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Plagues attack on gods
Plague Egyptian god attacked
Nile turned Khnum: guardian of the Nile
to blood Hapi: spirit of the Nile
Frogs Heqt: frog god
Plague on cattle Hathor: cow god
Apis: bull of god Ptah
Mnevis: sacred bull
source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Plagues attack on gods
Plague Egyptian god attacked
Hail Nut: sky goddess
Isis: goddess of life
Seth: protector of crops
Locusts Isis: goddess of life
Seth: protector of crops
source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Plagues attack on gods
Plague Egyptian god attacked
Darkness Re, Aten, Atum, Horus
(all Sun gods of sorts)
Death of firstborn The deity of Pharaoh
Osiris: the giver of life
source: somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Science Says…
There are explanations for all of
these plagues.
The River Nile turned red
occasionally due to contamination.
It caused the frogs to leave the
water. They died and insects began
to feed on the frogs….
The miracle was not so much the
event, but the TIMING.
20
Moses and Icons
The Ark of the Covenant
Cherubim on the Ark
Manna and his Staff
The Tablets of the Commandments
Images on the Curtain
The Bronze Serpents
21
Special Thanks to….
somehelpful.info/OT/Exodus.ppt
Several of the slides were adapted from this outstanding website. We are indebted to the author for his outstanding scholarship.
Suggestions? mark_koscinski@yahoo.com
22