1. JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S REVELATION TO THE WORLD
CHAPTER 4
THE PENTATEUCH, CREATION, COVENANT, AND THE EXODUS

2. The Writing of the Pentateuch
Traditionally, Moses has been named the author of the Pentateuch. However, scholarship shows that the Pentateuch reached its final form after centuries of retelling, adapting, and reinterpreting oral tradition.

3. Sources of the Pentateuch
NOT A SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF THE UNIVERSE USED POPULAR IMAGES TO CONVEY RELIGIOUS TRUTH
YAHWIST—vivid, earthy style of writing with an anthropomorphic view of God
ELOHIST—emphasis on prophesies; Abraham is central figure
DEUTERONOMIST—emphasis on morality and the Law; highlights Moses’ speeches
PRIESTLY—census lists, genealogies, numbers, dates, proper ways to worship

4. BOTH REVEAL IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT GOD, CREATION, AND HUMAN BEINGS
The Creation Stories
1st—forceful, stately, grand; awesome dramatic act by glorious, majestic God
2nd—lighter in tone, down-to-earth; paints picture of anthropomorphic God
BOTH REVEAL IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT GOD, CREATION, AND HUMAN BEINGS

5. The First Creation Story
There is only one God.
God planned creation.
Everything that God made is good.
The Sabbath is a special day of rest and worship.

6. The Second Creation Story
Portray God as a potter who molds Adam’s body
Very intimate
Creation of Eve from Adam’s rib shows the equal dignity of women and men
YHWH wants the couple “to become one,” to enter into a close relationship that mirrors God’s own relationship with them

7. Why include two Creation Stories in the Bible?
Goodness, love, intimate
Awe-inspiring, great, mysterious, powerful
God

8. Sin Enters the World
The story of Fall explains why human beings are not always happy and do not live forever.
The Serpent became the symbol of evil.
Sin comes from the free will of human beings
“Adam and Eve committed a personal sin, but this affected the human nature that they would then transmit in a fallen state.”

9. The Protoevangelium
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” (Gn 3:15)

10. Relied solely on God’s fidelity
Covenant with Abraham
Relied solely on God’s fidelity
This covenant was tested when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but the Lord’s messenger stopped the sacrifice.
Abraham is a model of faith.

11. Jacob secured his father’s inheritance over his twin brother Esau.
The Patriarch Israel
Jacob secured his father’s inheritance over his twin brother Esau.
God repeated the covenant to Jacob in a dream on the road at Bethel; years later, Jacob wrestled a stranger who gave Jacob a new name, Israel— “one who contends with God.”
Included in Jacob’s family were his twelve sons from whom came the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

12. Joseph, the Favored Son JOSEPH JESUS
Beloved son who had jealous brothers
Ended up in Egypt because of his brothers’ treachery
Judah convinced the others to sell Joseph for twenty pieces of silver
Faithful to his master, falsely accused, and imprisoned
Forgave his brothers and saved them from famine
Beloved Son of God of whom Herod was jealous
Holy Family ended up in Egypt to flee King Herod
Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
Faithful to his Father, falsely accused, and underwent his Passion, Death, and Resurrection
Forgave his executioners and saved all humanity

13. The Exodus and the Giving of the Law
Foundational event in the history of the Chosen People

14. The Prophet Moses Central figure in the Old Testament
God appeared to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire.
God instructed Moses to lead the Chosen People to freedom.

15. CENTRAL TO BOTH THE JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN FAITHS
The Passover
CENTRAL TO BOTH THE JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN FAITHS
YHWH instructed the Chosen People to celebrate a sacred meal to remind of God’s deliverance.
Each Mass commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice and saving actions on the cross and makes it present.

16. “You shall be my people, and I will be your God”
The Sinai Covenant
“You shall be my people, and I will be your God”
Bound God and the Chosen People in a personal loving union
Revealed God’s special love and mercy for them
Stipulated how God’s People were to respond to his love
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SUMMARIZE THE LAW

17. The Exodus and the Giving of the Law
Challenges in the Desert
Other Themes from Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The people grew frustrated with Moses and made a golden calf to worship. Numbers records the “murmuring” of the People against Moses. It took forty years before the Chosen People could enter the Promised Land.
Leviticus stresses the theme of God’s holiness and our need to worship him with love. Deuteronomy centers on God’s love of Israel and exhorts the nation to choose between obedience to God and the Law.