Previously on

The Old Testament

We started with the

Season 1Season 1TORAHTORAH

Season 1Season 1TORAHTORAH

Leaders of the WayLeaders of the WayLeaders of the WayLeaders of the Way

The Bible was not written in a day or

even in just a thousand years...

...rather, it GREW and developed out

of the collective experience,

learning and faith of a community.

We reiterated that

Three words are concealed in the acronym: TANAK. These are the Hebrew names given to

the three sections into which the Jewishpeople divide their Bible.

TANAK is to the Jews asOld Testament is to the

Christians.It is the acronym often used

bythe Jewish people to refer to

their Bible. It reveals how the

Old Testament is divided.

Example 1:How people apply their experience and perceptions to sacred text and vice-versa.

4 main sourcesrepresented by the letters

J E D P Yahwist Elohist Deuteronomist Priestly

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9

10

Episode 3Episode 3A Good A Good

BeginningBeginning

Episode 3Episode 3A Good A Good

BeginningBeginning

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A series of A series of beginnings, beginnings,

out of out of nothingnothing

A series of A series of beginnings, beginnings,

out of out of nothingnothing

Creation- Creation- the the

beginning of beginning of LIFELIFE

Creation- Creation- the the

beginning of beginning of LIFELIFE

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The Great The Great Flood - the Flood - the beginning beginning recreated recreated

LIFELIFE

The Great The Great Flood - the Flood - the beginning beginning recreated recreated

LIFELIFE

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The Patriarchs The Patriarchs – the – the

beginning of beginning of covenant faith covenant faith

& worship& worship

The Patriarchs The Patriarchs – the – the

beginning of beginning of covenant faith covenant faith

& worship& worship

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Abraham – from Abraham – from obscure beginning to obscure beginning to

a family of nationsa family of nations

Abraham – from Abraham – from obscure beginning to obscure beginning to

a family of nationsa family of nations

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Jacob – the Jacob – the beginning of beginning of the nation the nation of Israelof Israel

Jacob – the Jacob – the beginning of beginning of the nation the nation of Israelof Israel

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Joseph – beginning Joseph – beginning again in Egyptagain in Egypt

Joseph – beginning Joseph – beginning again in Egyptagain in Egypt

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“…“…and God and God saw saw

everything everything was GOOD.”was GOOD.”

“…“…and God and God saw saw

everything everything was GOOD.”was GOOD.”

EPISODE 4EPISODE 4

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NAME

In Hebrew, it is called Shemot (מו=ת@Aש), based on its first words Ve-eleh shemot (Hebrew: שמות ואלה ("And these are the names").

The Septuagint designates the second book of the Pentateuch as "Exodus" (Greek: Ἔξοδος), meaning “a going out”, “a marching out”, “a solemn procession”.

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DATE

When did the events described in this book happen?

1)An early date: 15th century (1440) BC - working primarily from a literal reading of Scripture (e.g. 1 Kings 6:1; Judges 11:26)

2) A late date: 13th century (1290) BC during the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II (1290-1224 BC) - working primarily from the evidence of archaeological excavations (e.g. the Hyksos)

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COMPOSITION

The book is based on many ancient traditions- a combination of the J, E. and P

sources.

It is impossible to say when or by whom these sources were assembled together

to form one book.

Certainly much later than-- and not by-- Moses.

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SUMMARY

Based on many ancient traditions about the Israelites’ journey out of slavery in

Egypt, initiated by God, to bring his people to the holy Mt. Sinai where he makes a

solemn agreement (a.k.a. covenant) with them to be their God. There, in God’s

presence, the people accept the gift of the Ten Commandments, pledging themselves to be a faithful and holy people. A special

tent (Tabernacle) becomes the manifestation of God’s presence among his

people.

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25

Chapter 1

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27

28

29

30

The Call of Moses- refusal, hesitance-

a stammer

God revealing himself -persistence, assurance,

fidelity and commitment- revealed

name:

YHWH: “I AM WHO AM”- eternal, always there

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32

33

Plagues (7:8-11:10)1. cycle 1: magic for magic (7:8-8:15)2. cycle 2: nothing on earth (8:16-10:203. cycle 3: nothing in heaven (10:21-29)4. cycle 4: 10th plague announced (11:1-10)Each one of the 10 plagues came with a triple refrain to the Pharaoh:1- Let my People go.2- So that you know that I am Yahweh.3- The Pharaoh hardened his heart, or God hardened it!

It was not a contest between Moses and Pharaoh; it was

Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt vs.

YHWH, the only God of Israel!

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35

The central event of the Old

Testament

YHWH as the ultimate provider,

bringing LIFE where death used

to reign.

Passover symbolic of the Paschal mystery

Spotless Lamb

Blood

Unleavened bread

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37

Why did the Israelites take a circuitous route to

Canaan?

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Rameses

Succoth

Etham

In front of Pi-hahiroth

CROSSING THE SEA

Wilderness of Shur

-Mara

-Elim

Wilderness of Sin

Rephidim

Meribah and Massah

Sinai

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A pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of cloud by night

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41

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The Red Sea or the Reed Sea?

The saga of Pharaoh vs.

YHWH continues

Another “Passover”--

figure for Baptism

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People complain, YHWH provides

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45

THE LAW

First unheeded and broken, at the cost

of so many livesThen reinstituted

and received pledge of fidelity from the

people

THE COVENANT

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47

48

49

50

The PRIESTS

(Sons of Aaron and descendants of the

tribe of Levi)

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The Tabernacle was a sign of YHWH’s

presence whenever the Hebrews encamped.

The Ark signified His presence whenever the people were on

the move.

Symbols of YHWH’s enduring and eternal

presence.

Guided ReflectionGuided Reflection

The Exodus contains the big story of YHWH’s faithfulness,

despite people’s hard-heartedness.

It also depicts His persistence in His choices, no matter how fragile or flawed they may be.

In your prayer, reflect on how:God has been faithful

and how he has manifested this in your

LIFE.

HomeworkHomework

Read:Read:THE BOOKs OF LEVITICUS and THE BOOKs OF LEVITICUS and

DEUTERONOMY.DEUTERONOMY.

Try to avoid getting bored by all the Try to avoid getting bored by all the legal stuff you find!legal stuff you find!

HomeworkHomework