Old Testament Foundations Class I.1 Exodus 1-6 1

Biblical References Use citations Shiphrah and Puah(Ex 1:15) Lev 2:2, 3:6 Dt 4:6-8, 5:7,10,14 Gen 1-3 2

Class outline The Call of Moses The Old Testament The Book of Exodus Text analysis Ex 1-6 The Call of Moses Story Call story God’s name Other points 3

The Old Testament General comments Books of Bible handout 4

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The Old Testament OT foundation and source of NT Essential to understanding the bible Pentateuch first 5 books: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy 6

The Book of Exodus Why do we start here? Exodus dominates the OT Shapes understanding of God and how God acts. Theme of Election God calls Israel / Israel responds God calls us (New Israel) / we respond 7

The Book of Exodus Drama of Exodus Moses saved from death Call of Moses Moses leads Israel out of bondage Desert experience – 40 years Covenant - Decalogue Moses the model hero Dominates the Pentateuch Except for Genesis 8

The Exodus Story Rich and full of details Think of the movie “ The 10 Commandments” (nominated for 7 Academy Awards) Evidence of careful composition Evidence of editing The process of biblical composition Oral Tradition(s) Written Tradition(s) Editing Final Document Canon Multiple copies Translation 9

The Call of Moses Exodus 3 Classic Call Story Used for Prophets and Great Leaders Formula repeated throughout the OT Call story formula: God appears/speaks to X God explains reasons to X God commissions (Calls) X X objects God reassures / insists God gives a sign / prediction 10

The Call of Moses Look at Exodus 3 God appears /speaks Ex 3:1-4 God explains Ex 3:4-9 God commissions Ex 3:10 Moses objects Ex 3:11 God reassures Ex 3:12 God give a sign Ex 3:12, 4:1-5 11

Other Calls in Scripture Gideon Jgs 6 Isaiah Is 6 Jeremiah Jer 1 Ezekiel Ez 1 All follow the formula 12

Exodus 3 God reveals his name Exodus 3:14 carefully crafted question Complex answer This is a special moment in Exodus story Read Ex 3:13-14 Word play in Hebrew Based on verb “to be” Hebrew “hayah” Means “I am”, “I am who I am”, “He who is”, “He who causes to be” 13

Exodus 3 God reveals his name Ex 3:13-14 (contd) God refuses to give a regular name God veils his identity power / being Bible uses 3 rd person for God’s name = Yahweh This name occurs 6,823 times in the OT NAB uses: LORD or Lord = Yahweh RSV uses: Lord God Hebrew names for God: Yahweh, Elohim Adonai is an honorific meaning “My Lord” An erroneous combination of Hebrew letters resulted in the name for God as Jehovah 14

Other points in Exodus 1-6 Note Moses is rescued and cared for a mini story of Israel Key role of women – unusual Women usually unnamed – ex Pharaoh’s daughter If named – very important 15

Women in Exodus Mother of Moses (Jochebed) Sister of Moses (Miriam) Pharaoh’s daughter Shiprah and Puah (midwives) Zipporah (wife of Moses) 16

Other points in Exodus 1-6 Ex 3 – Burning bush is a theophany Appearance of God called a theophany Theophany characteristics Thunder, fire, earthquake, angel, loud voice, brilliant light 17