“exodus” · “exodus 22:22-24:18” objective: to examine the account of the exodus from egypt...
TRANSCRIPT
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“Exodus”FallSeries1Lesson2
“Exodus22:22-24:18”Objective:ToexaminetheaccountoftheexodusfromEgyptandtolearnasmuchaswecanaboutthenatureofGod,HismercyandwhatHedesiresforHiscreation.WewillseektodothisbyexaminingthehistoricalbackgroundoftheExodusaccount,theinterpretivehistoryofExodusamongstbothJewishandChristianscholars,wherehelpful.WewillseektounderstandthemessageofExodusforusasChristianslivinginthe21stcenturyAmericancontext.Materials:TheBible,Ancienttranslations,Commentaries,bothancientandmodern,Books,journalarticles,dictionaries,theinternet,andotherresourcesasmaybeappropriate.Procedures1. ToexplorethemessageGodofhopethattheoriginalaudience
willhaveunderstoodfromthistext.2. Tounderstandhowthistexthasinspired,challenged,and
educatedpeopledownthroughthecenturiesguidingthemnotonlyintheirpersonallives,butthedestiniesofgovernmentsandnations.
3. WewillseektoLindouthowthesebeliefshaveplayedaroleinthehistoryofChristianityandhowtheycontinuetoimpactourexistenceandservicetoJesusChristtoday.
4. Wewillprovideasheettotakehomeasareminderofwhathasbeenexaminedandtoprovideadditionalopportunitiesforconsiderationofthesetruthsandtheirapplicationinourdailylivingoutofoureternaldestinybeginningnow.Thissheetcanbeusedasadiscussionguideforsmallgroupdiscussion.Wehaveseveralgroupsusingthiseffectively.
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Inthelastlessonweleftoffwithinstructionslargely
intendedtohelpthepeopleofIsraeltoliveincommunitywithone
another.Thiscommunitylookedalotdifferentfromwhatwe
conceiveofascommunitytoday.Itisimportantforustorealize
thattheirworldlookedverydifferentfrommodernAmerica,and
forthatmatterthemodernworldingeneral.Itshouldbe
expectedtobethecasethattherehasbeenconsiderableprogress
intheworldasGod’speoplehavebeenalightinthatworldnow
formorethanthreethousandyears.Thechallengeforus,aswe
lookattheseancienttexts,istounderstandwhatitisthatGodis
callingustodo,andtobecome,asHispeopletoday.Weare
participantsinalonglineofthosewhohavesoughttoglorifyGod
andparticipateinunequalpartnershipwithHimasHeredeems
thecosmos,restoringitbacktothestateofbeing“verygood”in
alignmentwithHiswillandpurpose.
Aswestartthissection,weareremindedofwhereweleft
offin22:21,weareremindedofGod’scareandconcernforthe
vulnerable,theweak,andthedefenseless.Verse21highlights
thattheyshouldnotoppresstheresidentaliensandGodreminds
themthatthiswasexactlywhattheythemselves(Israel)werein
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Egypt,residentaliens,oppressedandhelpless.Remindingthem
ofwheretheycamefromisintendedtobeapowerfulforceof
changeintheirlivestokeepthemfrombecomingarrogantand
lackinginhumility.Itisalltooeasyforpeopletoforgetthe
journeythattheyhadtotakeinordertogetwheretheyaretoday;
toforgetwheretheycamefrom.Israelneededtorecallthatthey
weremistreated,abused,andthenrescuedbyagraciousand
lovingGod.Understandingthesourceoftheirstandingasfree
people,andaspeopleofthecovenantwithHim,wasessentialfor
themanditisstillessentialforustoday.Weareredeemed,not
becauseofwhoweare,butbecauseofwhoHeis,andthroughHis
abundantgrace.“TherebutbythegraceofGodgoI.”Thisshould
besomethingconstantlyuponourheartsandinourminds.
Otherwisearrogancecancloudourvisionandbecomeapartof
ourcentralcoreinamannerthatblocksallopportunityfor
acceptingGod’sgrace.
At22:22therewillbeafocusgiventothetreatmentof
widowsandorphans.Thepeopleareremindedthatiftheydo
abusethem(thevulnerable)theywillcryouttoGodandHewill
hearthecriesoftheabused.IhaveoftenhearditsaidthatGod
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doesnotheartheprayersofsinners.Usuallythisstatement
comesfromtheself-righteous.Herethereisnostipulationgiven
forhearingtheseprayersotherthanthefactthattheyarebeing
oppressed.GodindicatesthatHewilldeLinitelyheartheirprayers
andthathiswrath(22:24)willburnagainstthoseoppressing,or
nothelping,andthatHewill“kill”(הַָרג-harag)them.Thisisa
wordthatisoftenusedtodescribethewholesaleslaughteroffood
animalslikecattle.Hethenletsthemknowthatthosewhotreat
widowsandorphansinthisfashionwillhavetheirwivesmade
intowidowsandtheirchildrenwillbecomeorphans.Aharshand
horrendousprospect.
Inthenextsection,22:25-27,weLindstipulationswith
regardtolending.God’speoplemustnotexactinterestfromthe
poortowhomtheylendmoney.Iftheytaketheircloakinpawn
theyaretorestoreittothembeforethesungoesdownandit
becomescold.Ineachoftheseinstancestheyaretobeconcerned
forothers,especiallyfortheweakandvulnerable.Clearly
reLlectedinthesepassagesisthefactthatGodisconcernedfor
themandHehearstheircriesbecauseHeis“compassionate”(חַּנּ֥ון
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-hanun-IntheGreektextthewordisἐλεήμων-eleemon,which
means“merciful.”).
At22:28wehaveanewsubsectionthatissetapartfrom
whathasgonebefore.Thethemeofthissubsectionisthepowers
andauthoritybestoweduponaleader.The“leader”inthis
passagemaybeareferencetothecivilruler,ortherighteous
“prince,”whopresidesattheapexofthesystemofhumanjustice. 1
Thepeoplearetoldthattheymustnot“curse”eitherGod,ora
leaderofthepeople.Forustoday,wemaystruggletodeLinewhat
itmeansto“curse”someone.TheOldGreektranslationofthe
Scriptures(theSeptuagint)usesawordthatisperhapsofhelpto
us;itusesthewordκᾰκολογέω(kakologeo)whichmeansto
“revile,”“abuse,”“tospeakinanevil,orslanderousway.”Thisis
perhapssomethingthatismorethanappropriateinourmodern
worldwhenthispracticeseemslikethefavoritepass-timefor
many,ifnotmost,peopleinourcountry.Thefactthatthis
prohibitionissetinthecontextofcovenantindicatesthatsucha
practicewillindeedresultinanegativeconsequence,perhaps
evenbeingconsideredabreachofthecovenantwithGod.
WilliamJohnstone,Exodus20-24,Smyth&HelwysBibleCommentaryseries(MaconGA:Smyth&1HelwysPublishingInc.,2014),p.149.
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At22:29thereisanindicationthattheyarenottodelayin
makingtheirofferingsfromtheirharvest.Wemightaskhowthis
appliestoustoday?Itmeansthatwetodayaretogiveofwhat
Godgivestouswithoutdelay.WhenGodgivesthesethingstous
wearetoinsurethatwegivetoGodHisportion.Atthetimethat
thiscovenantwasgiventhatwillhavebeen10%,itshould
perhapsbeexpectedthattodaywewouldgiveatleastasmuch,
butperhapsevenmoreduetothegreatblessingsthatweknow
wehavereceivedinJesusChrist.Thisgivingofgoodsincludes
eventheLirstbornoftheirsons,andalloftheirlivestock
(22:29b-22:30).Thelocationoftheseverseswithregardtogiving
appearstobeconnectedtothehonorduetoGod.Thereisa
connectionbeingmadeherebetweenthegivingofthesacriLices
promptlyasanactofhonor;givingpromptlyisseenashonoring
God. FailuretogivesacriLicestoGodisafailuretohonorGod,or2
infactittogofurtherthanthisitistodishonorGod.
At22:31thereasonfortheseinstructionsaregiven,because
theIsraelitesarecalledtobeapeople“consecrated”(ֹקֶ֖דׁש-
kodesh),or“holy”people.“Inpursuitofthisend,onemust,among
U.Cassuto,ACommentaryontheBookofExodus(Jerusalem:TheMagnesPress,TheHebrew2University,1987),p.294.
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otherthings,avoidpollutingsubstancesanddeLilingactions,for
thesedisturbtherelationshipwithGod.” Thepeopleneededthe3
sacriLicesinorderfortheirheartstofeelthattheycouldmakeup
forthethingsthattheydidwhichbreachedthecovenant.In
reality,itwasnotthesacriLicesthatbroughtthemercyandgrace
ofGod,buttheheartalignmentthatcameintoexistencealong
withtheofferingofsacriLicesthatweregivenfromawillingand
humbleheart.ThepeopleknewinstinctivelyperhapsthatGod
wasnotthesameastheywere,Hewastrustworthy,honorable,
andpure.AsHispeopletheymustreLlectthisasHisimage-
bearers.ThisreLlectingofthenatureofGodisdescribedas
holiness.Thereferenceto“dogs”inverse31maybe“…a
pejorativereferencetomalecultprostitutes”(cf.theparallelin
Deuteronomy23:17-18). Theirconsumptionofmeatthatis4
uncleanisstillafurthermeanstoinvalidatetheirministry. Inthe5
ancientworlditisparticularlythecasethatthesacriLicesofmeat
topagangodswasintheformofswineandthismaystandbehind
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,TheJPSTorahCommentaryseries(PhiladelphiaPA:TheJewish3PublicationSociety,1991),p.141.
WilliamJohnstone,Exodus20-24,p.153.4
WilliamJohnstone,Exodus20-24,p.153.5
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theprohibitiongivenIsraelregardingeatingtheLleshofswine,
thiswasmostoftenmeatsacriLicedtoidols.
At23:1-3wecometotheLirstofLiveprohibitionsthat
outlawbehaviorincourtsoflawthatwouldjeopardizethe
“integrityandimpartialityofthejudicialprocess.” Uptothis6
pointtheTorahhasbeenconcernedwithobservingloveand
compassiontowardpeoplewhowereweakandunprotectedand
honorthatwastobetothosewhowereleaders.Inthissection,
theemphasiswillchangeindicatingthatvirtuemustindeedbe
practicedtowardsallpeopleingeneral,notjustaselectfew.
Justiceisforallpeoplenotsimplytheweak,andthepowerful,but
forallpeoplewhatevertheirstatus,orstanding. Partialitymust7
notbeshowntoanyone,eventothepoor.Thefrequencywith
whichtheTorahcallsuponpeopletoshowcompassionforthe
poordictatestheneedforcautionagainstallowingaperson’s
emotions,howeverdesirableandnoble,tocoloraperson’s
judgement.ThesamewarningappearsalsoatLeviticus19:15
andDeuteronomy1:17. 8
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.142.6
U.Cassuto,ACommentaryontheBookofExodus,p.296.7
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.142.8
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At23:4-5weLindprohibitionsdesignedtopreventone’s
hostileandvindictiveemotionsfromovercomingone’shumanity.
ThepeopleofGodarecalledupontodemonstrateconcernforthe
plightofone’senemies(Proverbs25:21 ). Jesuswillexpress9 10
similarconcernsknowingtheheartofhumanbeings. Thefocus11
isabsolutelyplainintheteachingofJesus:thereLlectionofthe
loveofGodistobefoundintheheartsandactionsofHispeople.
God’speoplearetoreLlectGod’snature.Havingsomeonewhois
anenemycaneasilytainttheperceptionsthatwemighthaveof
themandspecialcaremustbetakenindealingwithsuchpeople
tolovetheminthewaythatGodlovesthem.Thislovecanbeseen
innottakingadvantageofthethosemomentswhentheirmightbe
anopportunitytotakeadvantage.
Overandoveragaintheemphasisisuponremainingjust
andunbiasedinallcourtdealings(23:6-8).ThepeopleofGodare
Ifyourenemiesarestarving,feedthemsomebread;iftheyarethirsty,givethemwaterto9drink.CEB.
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.142.10
Matthew5:43-47“Youhaveheardthatitwassaid,Youmustloveyourneighborandhate11yourenemy.44ButIsaytoyou,loveyourenemiesandprayforthosewhoharassyou45sothatyouwillbeactingaschildrenofyourFatherwhoisinheaven.Hemakesthesunriseonboththeevilandthegoodandsendsrainonboththerighteousandtheunrighteous.46Ifyouloveonlythosewholoveyou,whatrewarddoyouhave?Don’teventhetaxcollectorsdothesame?47Andifyougreetonlyyourbrothersandsisters,whatmoreareyoudoing?Don’teventheGentilesdothesame?48Therefore,justasyourheavenlyFatheriscompleteinshowinglovetoeveryone,soalsoyoumustbecomplete.CEB.
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tobearthemarkofGodintheirdealingswithoneanother,
especiallyinmomentsofconLlictanddisagreement.Theyareto
beapeoplemarkedoutasjustandunbiasedasareLlectionofthe
natureofGodHimself.Inthis,theyarenottopervertjustice,tobe
apartoffalsechargesandtheyarenottoacquittheguilty.They
arenottotakepartinbribery.BriberyactstoblindofLicialsto
whatisrightandthereforesubvertsjustice.
At23:9wecomebackagaintothethemeoftheresident
alien.ItisasifGodknewtherewouldbeatremendous
temptationforpeopletofallintothistypeofoppression.Thisis
somethingthatisstillapressingissueforpeoplearoundthe
worldtodayanditisespeciallypoignantandprominentinour
country.Wefearthatwhichdiffersfromusanditissoeasyto
demonizethealienamongusandtoblamethemforthingsthatgo
wrong.WemustrecognizethecallthatGodgivestothemisthat
HecallsIsraeltorecognizetheirresidentalienstatusinEgypt.
Foruswemustremember:“TherebutbythegraceofGodgoI.”
Wemustneverforgetthatwearewherewearebythegraceof
Godandwithourwealth,status,andsecuritycomesmuch
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responsibilitytoreLlectthenatureandcompassionofGodasHis
image-bearersinthecommunityandintheworld.
At23:10-13wecometoprescriptionsregardingagriculture.
Intoday’sworldthesemightbemoreassociatedwithbusiness
andwhatwedoforalivingaswearenotasaffectedastheywere
bythecyclesofagriculture,thoughinWestTexasitisstillof
criticalimportance.Verses10-11expressagreatconcernforthe
underprivilegedandunfortunatesofsociety.Thesamelawfound
hereisrepeatedwithgreateremphasisonitshumanitarian
purposeinLeviticus25:1-7,18-22,whileatDeuteronomy15:1-10
theprovisionsareextendedevenfurthertoincludetheremission
ofdebts.Godunderstoodsomethingthatwasnotlikelytobe
understoodbythepeopleofancientIsraelinthatthecontinuous
usageofarablelandsdepletesnutrientsandreducesproductivity.
SothereisaconservationistaspecttothesystemthatGodgivesto
Hispeoplehere. ApartoftheoriginalmandateofGodtoAdam12
inGenesischapter2wasto“till”and“keep”thegardenwhich
deLinitelyincludestakinggoodcareof,andusinggoodpractices
forsustaining,theearth.
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.143.12
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Ihavehearditpreachedthatthereisnoneedforusto
observesuchgoodpracticestoday,ortorecyclesinceGodisgoing
todestroythisearth.ThisiswrongatsomanylevelsthatIwill
notcoverthemall,butjustlikethesacriLicesandotherthingsthat
GodcallsuponHispeopletodobeinggoodconservationists
reLlectssomethinginsidethepersonthatrecognizesthatweare
notownersofthisearth,weareservantsandrepresentativesof
God.Wearecaretakersandascaretakersweshouldleaveit
betterthanwefounditasamarkofourloveandrespectforGod
andasamarkofourparticipationwithGodinHisreconciliation
ofcreationtowhatHealwaysintendedittobe.HowGodchooses
todothat,whetherthroughsomedestructivemeans,ornot,does
notchangethefactthataswecareforthisplanetwereLlectour
faithandtrustinGod.WecontinuetohonorHimandHiscalling
asgoodstewardsofallthatHehasgivenintoourcare.
Thereisalsoasenseoflettingthebeastsofburden(23:12)
restaswellastheslavesthatworktheland.ThepeopleofIsrael
arechallengedtorefrainfromevenmentioningthenamesof
pagangods.Tousthisseemsoddandmaybeintrusive,butit
wouldhavebeenveryrelevantintheirday.Inthepaganworldof
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thepeopleoftheAncientNearEasttherewereinvariablymagical
ritesaimedatpropitiatingdivinepowersandenlistingtheiraidin
regeneratingthesoil,ripeningthecrops,andinmakingtheir
livestockproduceyoung,andeventogrowinhealthyways.The
Israelitesaretohavenopartinsuchactivities. 13
At23:14wecometothethreefestivalsthatweretobeheld
forGodeachyear.Theseversespresentthetriadofagricultural
festivalsthatformthecoreofIsrael’ssacralcalendar.Rosh
Hashanah(NewYear),YomKippur(theDayofAtonement)and
thePassoverareomittedherebecausetheyarenotfestivals
rootedinthelifeofthesoil.Thisistheencompassingtopicof
verses10-19ofthissection.Anotherfeatureofthissectionisthe
lackofLixeddatesforanyofthesefestivals,whichisastriking
feature,althoughinthecaseofthe“FeastofUnleavened
Bread”(Passover),thephrase“atthesettime”mostlikelyrefers
backtoExodus12:6,14-20.Thenameofeachofthesefestivals
bearsthedeLinitearticlebeforeitsnameindicatingthattheyare
wellknown,theyareuniversalinnature,reLlectingtherhythms
foundinnatureitself.Israel,unliketheirneighborsistorecognize
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,pp.143-144.13
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thattheserhythmsaretheresultofYHWHandnottheresultof
anyofthepagangods,orthemagicalpracticesoftheindigenous
peoplesoftheareatheywilloccupy. 14
EachofthethreefestivalsisreferredtousingtheHebrew
termחַגhag.Thistermindicatesthatthesefestivalsentailan
obligatorypilgrimagetoasanctuary.Thissamemeaningendures
eventodayintheMuslimwordwhentheyrefertoTheHajj. 15
Threetimesduringtheyearallmalesweretoappearbefore
YHWHGod.Theimplicationisthatthisappearancewouldbeat
Hissanctuary.Theyaretobringgiftsthatareappropriatetoeach
oftheagriculturalseasonsinordertoexpresstheirthanksgiving
andtoacknowledgetheirloyaltytoYHWHGod. Itisofnotethat16
inthemaledominatedworldofthiseratherearenoprescriptions
withregardtothewomenregardingthefestivals.Primarilythis
covenantisfocusedonthemale,orbeingattachedtoamalein
somemanner.Oneofthemajorchangesincovenantnaturewould
bethestatusofwomenintheNewCovenant.Thelayeredand
stratiLiedorderingofthiscovenant(theOldCovenant)wouldbe
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.144.14
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,pp.144-145.15
WilliamJohnstone,Exodus20-24,p.179.16
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replacedandwomenwouldbegivenastandingascovenant
membersintheirownritethroughfaithinJesusChrist(inthe
NewCovenant).Thisisoneofthemajordifferencesbetweenthe
“Old”andthe“New”covenants,ortestaments.
At23:18theIsraelitesareinstructedthatnoneoftheblood
oftheirsacriLiceswastobeofferedwithleaven.Thereasonfor
thisprohibitionofleavenisnotstrictlystated.Onereasonforthe
exclusionofleavenwaslikelythatitsremovalwillhaveservedas
areminderofthehastydepartureoftheHebrewsatthebeginning
oftheexodusfromEgypt.However,sinceleavenisalsobannedas
aningredienttobeallowedwithothersacriLicesitisperhaps
bannedbecauseitwasassociatedwithpaganrites.Inpost-
biblicaltimesfermentationcametobeassociatedwith
decompositionanddecayandwastakenLigurativelytosymbolize
moralandspiritualcorruption. At23:19theyweretoldthatthe17
choicestoftheirLirstfruitsweretobebroughtintothe
“house”(ּבֵ֖יתbayith)ofYHWH.TheywerenottogiveGodtheir
leftovers,orthatwhichwassurplus.TheyweretogivetoGodthe
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.58.17
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Lirstpart,thebestpart.Thistoo,isanexpressionoftheheartof
thegiver.
TherearemanymysterieslefttothepeopleofGodinthis
section.Themeaningof23:19b,theboilingofakidinitsmother’s
milk,isoneofthosemysteries.Thereisalotofspeculation
amongtherabbis,butintheendthereisnothingmorethan
speculation.Iamsurethatthishadmeaningfortheancient
IsraelitesanditwillhavebeentodrawthepeopletowardGodand
intodeeperloyaltytoHiminsomeway.
At23:20wecometotheLinalpartofthischapterandthe
peopleareinformedthatYHWHwillsendan“angel”( -מַלְָאְ֙
malach-Greek-ἄγγελος-angelos)a“messenger,”oran“envoy”
aheadofthemtotheplacethatGodhaspreparedforthem.At
23:21thepeoplearetoldtobeattentivetohisvoiceandtobe
carefulnottorebelagainsthim.Theindicationisthathewillnot
pardon“rebellion,”or“transgression”(ּפֶׁ֫שַע-pesha).Thisisthe
casebecauseYHWH’snameis“inhim.”The“angel”willnotadd
to,ortakeawayfrom,theinstructionsgiventohimbyYHWH.In
Jewishsourcesthereisconsiderabledebateastowhatismeantby
the“angel”here.SomeseeitmerelyasamanifestationofYHWH
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Himselfwhileothersseeitasaservantdispatchtedtocarryout
Hiswill.Ineitherinstancethis“angel”representedforthepeople
God’spresence.
At23:22wearetoldthatiftheywillcarefullylistento“His
voice”thenHewillbeanenemyoftheirenemiesandafoetotheir
foes.Theunpackingofwhatthatmeansisgivenintheversesthat
follow.YHWHwillblotouttheirenemies,buttheyarewarnednot
tobowdowntoothergods(23:24).Theirroleinthisistosmash
theforeigngodsandpillarsintopieces.Theirloyaltywillbring
greatprotectionandblessingswhiletheirfailuretobeloyaltothe
covenantwillmeanthatGodwillnotprovidetheseblessings.The
languagehereiscovenantlanguage.Covenantkeepingbrings
greatblessingandgreatsuccessamongthepeopleofGod,but
onlyifthereistrueloyaltytoHim.
At24:1wecometoachapterthatisconcernedwiththe
ratiLicationofthecovenantbetweenYHWHandHispeople
Israel. At24:1wehavethesummonsofGodissuedtoMoses,18
Aaron,NadabandAbihu,andtheseventyeldersofIsrael(whatwe
wouldcometoknowastheSanhedrininthetimeofJesus).Even
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.150.18
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herethereisadistinctionmadeandalessonthatisshowninthe
factthatMosesistoldtoapproachYHWH,whiletheothersareto
worshipatadistance.Thispointisreiteratedforemphasisin
24:2.Wearenottoldwhyhere,butperhapsatleastapartofthe
reasonforthiscanbebecauseGodsaidtodoitthiswayandin
compliancethereisobedienceevenwithoutunderstanding.Ina
similarwaythattodayitisnotnecessarytounderstandthe
reasoningofadoctorgivinginstructions,butcomplianceto
instructionshasapurposeapparenttothedoctortoimprovethe
healthofthepatient.Godknowsthereasonwhyandthatshould
besufLicientforHispeoplethattrustHimandseektofollowHim
andHisinstructions.Thisispredicatedontheunderstandingand
beliefthatHeknowsbestandhasthebestinterestsofHispeople
andallofHiscreationinmind.
At24:3Mosesdeliverstothepeople“allthewords,of
YHWHandalltheordinances(ּמִׁשְּפָטִ֑ים-mishpatim-judgments,
decisionsasinacourtcase)ofYHWH.”Thepeopleansweredwith
“one”(֙אֶחָד-one)voicethattheywoulddoallthatYHWHhad
spokentothem.At24:4wearetoldthatMoseswritesdownallof
the“wordsofYHWH,”builtanaltar,setuptwelvepillarsthatwere
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representativeofthepeople.Sarnawrotethat,“Itislikelythatthe
dashingoftheblood“onthepeople”describedinverse8was
effectuatedbysprinklingitoverthepillars.” AtGenesis19
31:45-54thereistheaccountofthecovenantmadebetweenJacob
andLabanandapillarissetuptoactasawitnessofthis
covenant.
At24:5wearetoldofsacriLicesthatwereofferedtoYHWH.
TheLirstofferingisasacriLiceofwell-beingandiscompletely
consumedbytheLire.ThesesacriLicesaretotallydedicatedto
YHWH.ThebloodfromthesacriLiceswastaken(24:6)andputin
basinsandhalfofthisbloodisthendashedagainstthebaseofthe
altar.Thetwopartsofthebloodrepresentedthetwopartiesin
thecovenant,YHWHandIsrael.“ThesigniLicanceofthesprinkling
ofthebloodisneverexplained.However,theprevailingnotionin
Israelwasthattheblood,thevitalbodilyLluid,constitutedthelife.
Assuch,likelifeitself,itbelongedtoGodalone.” 20
Aninterestingfactisthattheusageofbloodinthe
ratiLicationofacovenantisfoundinnootherplaceintheOld
Testament.ThisfactmakesthewordsofJesusattheinstitutionof
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.151.19
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.152.20
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theEucharist,orLord’sSupperallthatmuchmoreremarkable.
ThisshouldchallengeChristianstonewlevelsofunderstanding
regardingthepowerfulandpoignantimagerybeingcreatedby
Jesuswhenhedrawsthisimageryintothistimeofremembrance.
If,astheIsraelitesunderstoodwearetootounderstandthat
bloodsymbolizeslifeandalllifebelongstoGod,theninJesuswe
arebeingpromisedlifethatcomesfromGodandlifethatcomesat
Hiscost.Bloodisusedassomethingtocementthebondbetween
thetwopartiesofthecovenant.InGodsharingthelifeofthe
bloodwithIsraelthenGodallowsthelifeoftherecipienttotake
onnewdimensionsandtobeelevatedtoahigherlevelofintimate
relationshipwithGod. Sotoo,thisisthemessageofJesusinthe21
communion.
At24:7Mosestookthebookofthecovenantandreadsitto
thepeopleandonceagaintheyafLirmedtheywould“beobedient.”
At24:8Moseswrotethattheremainingbloodwasdashedonthe
people(notonthepillars)andheusesthewords,“Behold,the
bloodofthecovenantthatYHWHhasmadewithyou….”The
expression“bloodofthecovenant”occurshereandthen4further
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.152.21
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timesintheNewTestament. TheexpressionsusedintheBook22
ofHebrewsmatchtheOldGreek(Septuagint)translationofthe
HebrewScripturesexactly,thetwofromMatthewandmarkadd
thepronoun“my”(μου-mou)tothephrase.Inmymind,this
clearlyandpowerfullylinksinitiationoftheNewCovenantin
somewaywithinitiationoftheOldCovenant,itreplacesit.I
believethattheApostleswouldhaveunderstoodthis,fromthe
wordsofJesusasdidPaul. 23
At24:9-11thereiswhatappearstobeanencounter
betweentheselectedgroupofleadersandGod.Thereareagreat
manyquestionsregardingwhathappenshereandindeedmassive
speculationandmanyexplanations,butthetextsimplysays,“they
sawtheGodofIsrael”(יִׂשְָראֵ֑לאֱֹלהֵ֣יאֵ֖תוַּיְִראּ֕ו-vayirauethelohey
yisrael).ClearlytheRabbishadaproblemwithwhatappearsto
beaclearstatementofseeingGodandintheOldGreek
Translationitsays,“Andtheysawtheplace,therewheretheGod
ofIsraelstood,….” Therabbisalsostrugglewithverse11that24
saysthey“ateanddrank.”Sarnasaysthatthisisjustanotherway
Matthew26:28;Mark14:24;Hebrews9:20;10:2922
Galatians23
NewEnglishTranslationoftheSeptuagint.24
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ofsayingthattheysurvived,orsharedamealmadeofthe
sacriLicesthatoccurredattheconclusionoftheonephaseofthe
covenantmaking. 25
Theseexplanationsseemunlikelyforanumberofreasons:
1.ThetypeofsacriLicedesignatedherewasnormallycompletely
burnedup,andifthiswassoitcouldnotbeenapartakinginthis
typesacriLice.2.Thereseemstobeaclearconnectionbetween
theeatinganddrinkingandseeingGod(אֶת־הָ֣אֱֹלהִ֔ים -וַּֽיֶחֱזּו֙
vachezueth-haElohim)madeinverse11.Thewordusedherefor
“tosee”meanstoseewiththeeyes. Ihavenoexplanationto26
offerhereastowhathappenedotherthantogivethetextitself.I
wouldonlynotethatitdoesnotsaythattheysawYHWH.Iwould
thinkthatthisisofsomemajorsigniLicancehere.
At24:12Mosesistoldtoascendtothetopofthemountain
toreceivethestonetabletswith“thelawandthecommandment”
whichGodhadwrittenfortheinstructionoftheIsraelites.The
wordinghereisperplexing.Thetraditionisthatwhatwaswritten
onthetabletswasthetencommandments,butthatisnot
conLirmedhereandindeeddoesnotseemtosupportthis.Here
NahumM.Sarna,Exodus,p.153.25
Job19:26-27;Psalm11:7;58:8,10;Proverbs22:29;29:20;Isaiah33:20;57:8.26
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wearetoldthatthe“Torahandthecommandment”(֙הַּתֹוָרה
clearlystatedisWhatgiven.werevhamitsvah)hatorah-וְהַּמִצְוָ֔ה
isthatAaronandHurarelefttosettleanydisputesthatmight
arise.Mosesthenascendsthemountainandcloudcoversit
(24:15).Wearetoldthatthe“glory”(ּכְבֹ֣וד-kavod)ofYHWH
coveredthemountainforsixdaysandthenontheseventhday
YHWHcalledtoMosesfromthecloud.At24:17the“glory”is
describedashavingtheappearanceofa“Lirethateats”(ּכְאֵׁ֥ש
theophanieswithassociatedoftenisFireaokeleth).keaesh-אֹכֶ֖לֶת
inScriptureandperhapsattimesindicateslightening. The27
imageofaconsumingLireindicatesthatthisLirewasindeed
impressive.
Mosesenteredthecloud(24:18)andstaysthereforforty
daysandnights.Thisthensetsthesceneforthe“GreatSin”that
willcomewhenthepeoplethinkthatMoseshasdelayedcoming
downtoolong.Whatarewetolearnfromthissectionof
Scripture?WearetolearnthatGodseeksrelationshipwith
people,thatHeseeksredemptionandthatHeseeksforpeopleto
reLlectHisimageandHisvalues.Thisisnotsimplytobeboiled
Exodus3:2;19:18;Deuteronomy4:11-12,15,24,33,36;9:24;Psalm18:14,148:8.27
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downtoalistofdo’sanddon’t’s.Godseeksfortheheartofthe
peopletobealignedwithHisheartandforthemtoreLlectthisin
theircareforthepoorandtheweak,theforeigner,thewidowand
theorphan.GodgivesofHimself,todrawIsraeltobecomelike
Him,GodmakesitclearthatHewilllistentosuchasthese(the
vulnerable).JesusmakesthesameplainwhenHesays:“Happy
arepeoplewhoarehopeless,becausethekingdomofheaven
istheirs.
5:4“Happyarepeoplewhogrieve,becausetheywillbemadeglad.
5:5“Happyarepeoplewhoarehumble,becausetheywillinheritthe
earth.
5:6“Happyarepeoplewhoarehungryandthirstyforrighteousness,
becausetheywillbefeduntiltheyarefull.
5:7“Happyarepeoplewhoshowmercy,becausetheywillreceivemercy.
5:8“Happyarepeoplewhohavepurehearts,becausetheywillseeGod.
5:9“Happyarepeoplewhomakepeace,becausetheywillbecalledGod’s
children.
5:10,the“Happyarepeoplewhoselivesareharassedbecausetheyare
righteous,becausethekingdomofheavenistheirs.
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5:11“Happyareyouwhenpeopleinsultyouandharassyouandspeak
allkindsofbadandfalsethingsaboutyou,allbecauseofme. 28
Jesusalsoseemstodrawconnectionstowhatoccurshereinthemaking
ofthewordsofcovenantusedattheinstitutionoftheLord’sSupperonthe
nightHewasbetrayed.GodtoowouldbebetrayedwhenHeopenedupand
madeHimselfvulnerableaswouldJesus.Theconnectionsarepowerfuland
poignantremindersofthegreatlovethatGodhasforpeopleandhow
sacriLiciallyHepursuesrelationship.HecallsHispeopletobearHisimageand
tobecomepeoplethatlovesacriLiciallyasHedoes.
TheBeatitudesofJesusasfoundatMatthewchapter5intheCommonEnglishBible.28
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Synopsis Thissectionbeginswithafocusuponcaringforthe
vulnerable,thewidow,theorphan,thepoor,andtheresident
alien.Israelhadlivedthroughtheexperienceofbeingresident
aliensandatthetimethesepreceptsweregiventhroughMoses
Israelwashomelessandwithoutacountry.GodcallsuponHis
peopletoreLlectHisnaturethroughexhibitinganethosof
graciousness,mercy,justice,andloyalty.Thismostneedstobe
reLlectedindealingswiththosethatdonothavethepower,or
inLluence,toforcethesetohappenontheirbehalf.Thesethings
aretostandatthecoreofthepeopleofGodasreLlectionsoftheir
heartandsoulastheimage-bearersofYHWH.Theyaretobe
peoplemarkedbycompassionandjustice.
Apartofthisethoswillbeseeninthewaythatthepeople
demonstraterespectforthepoor,butalsointhewaythey
demonstraterespectfortheirleadershipandtheirGod.Theyare
tobeknownasagenerouspeoplehelpingnotonlythepoorand
vulnerableoftheirowncommunityoffaith,butofthosewhoare
outsiders.TheyaretobeapeoplemarkedoutassacriLicialgivers
thatgiveofferingspromptlytoGodandgivetoHimthe
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“Lirstfruits,”theveryLirstpartofwhattheyhave,nottheleftovers,
orsurplus.Inthisgiving,theyexpresstheirtrustofGodalong
withtheirloveandcompassionasHisimage-bearers.
Theyaretobeknownaspeoplethatarejust,concernedfor
justice,anddowhatisrighttoallpeoplenotbaseduponwealth,
power,ethnicgroup,orstatus.ThisisareLlectionofthenatureof
GodHimself.TheyarealsotoreLlectthepurposeforwhichGod
createdhumanbeingsinbeinggoodstewardsofourplanetas
protectorsandkeepersofGod’sgoodcreation.Thisistobe
reLlectedeveninthewaytheytreatanimalsbyinsuringthateven
theyaretreatedwithcompassionandcareascreationsofGod.
Festivalsaregiventoremindpeopleoftheirobligationsbefore
GodandtoremindthemofwhatGodhasdoneforHispeoplein
rescuingthem.Theyaretobeapeoplemarkedbyasacred
covenantwithGod.
WearecalledintocovenantwithGod.God’scalltousis
costlyandultimatelyisexpressedmostfullyinthesacriLicial
deathofJesusChrist.WearecalledtoreLlectthisinourlaying
downourlivesforothers.Wearecalledtoloveothersandtrust
Godasademonstrationofthattrust.
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Questions
1. WhatdoyouthinkitlooksliketobetheuniquepeopleofGodintheworldtoday?
2. WhydoyouthinkthatGodexpressessomuchconcernfortheresidentalienandpeoplethatarevulnerable,thewidow,theorphan,theweak?
3. HowdoesbeingremindedofthecareofGodfortheweakandvulnerablehelpustounderstandGod?
4. DoesGodheartheprayersofsinners?Why,orwhynot?
5. HowwillGodrespondtotheprayersoftheweakandvulnerable?
6. HowdolendingpracticesreLlect“faith”inGod?
7. WhydoyouthinkGodcautionsIsraelwithregardtohowtheyrespondto“leaders?”
8. HowwouldyoudeLine“justice?”
9. AsGodtalkstoIsraelabouttheirofferings,whatarethelessonsthatGodistryingtoteachthem?
10.Whatisthepurposeofofferingstoday?AretheytoappeaseGodorpersuadeHimtobeinourfavor?
11.Whatdoesitmeantobea“holy”people,apeopledevotedtoGodratherthanself-interest?
12.HowisawillingandtrustingheartreLlectedinofferings?
13.WhyarejudicialintegrityandimpartialityimportantforthepeopleofGod?
14.Whatdoesitmeantoshow“partiality?”
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15.Howcanhostileandvindictiveemotionsovercomethehumanityofpeople?
16.WhatarethewaythatJesustoldHisfollowerstorespondtoenemies?
17.HowdoyouthinkGodiscallingustotreattheweak,thealiens,andthedisenfranchisedinourcountrytoday?Whoarethesepeople?
18.WhatdoyouthinkGodiscallingustoasstewardsofHiscreation?
19.WhydoyouthinkGodteachesHispeopleabouttakingcareoftheearthanditscreatures?
20.HowdoyouthinktheregularfestivalsofIsraelweremeanttopromoteloyaltyamongthepeopleofGod?
21.WhatblessingsdoyouthinkcometothedisciplesofJesusChristtodayasaresultoftheirtrustinGod?
22.Whataresomewaysthatyouseepeoplegivingoftheirlifetoothers?
23.WhataresomewaysthatyouLindithardtotrustGod?
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ToTakeHomeWhatisImportanttoknow? ItisimportanttoknowthatGodwatchesovertheweak,thevulnerable,thedefenselessandthepoor.ThisisHisnature.GodishumbleHimselfandthataspectoftheimageofGodistobereLlectedinthehumilityofthosethatwerecreatedtobearHisimage.Whenhumanbeingsarehumble,itisatthatpointthattheylookthemostlikeGod.Humilityisnotsomethingthatisgenerallyvaluedbysocietiesoftheworld.Wealllikeitinothers,butoftenitisnotsomethingthatweseektocultivateinourselves.Whataresomewaysthatweashumanbeingscancultivateandgrowhumilityineachotherandinourselves?WhereisGodinthesewords? GodisinthewordsofthissectionofScripturecallingHispeopletoreLlectHisnatureandHisimage.Inthis,wearegivengreatinsighttowhatGodvaluesandpursues,whatHenurtures,andhowHeexpectspeopletotreatoneanother.Thiswillhavebeenhugelydifferentfrommanyoftheexpectationsvaluedbyculturesintheancientworld.ThissectionemphasizesthegivingofofferingstoGodasanexpressionofdevotion,love,loyalty,andtrust.WhatdoesitmeanwhenapersongivesanofferingtoGod?WhatdoesanyofthismeanforhowIlivemylife? TheimplicationsofwhatissaidherearemeanttochangethewaythatthepeopleofGodlivetheirlives.Theyaretostandoutasabeaconoflightinthedarkness.Theyaremeanttobeapeoplethatarenotjustethical,followinginarotemannerasetofrules,buttheyaretobepeoplewithanethosthatadheresnotsimplytotheletterofthelaw,buttoitscoreintent.Thedifferencebetweenethicsandethosisenormousandmakesahugedifferenceintheheartsofapeople.Howwouldyouexplainthedifferencebetweenbeingpeopleofethosratherthanpeopleofethics?WhatisthewordofGodcallingustodo? ThewordofGodiscallingusto“be”somethingnotsimplytodosomething.Peoplecan,andoftendothingsoutofasenseoffear,obligation,orsomeulteriormotive,butthosethingswhicharethemostlikeapersonarethosethingsthatcomefromtheheartandsoulofaperson.ItisthosethingsthatreLlectthetruenatureofaperson.GodwantsustoreLlectHisnature,notjustoutwardlyandsuperLicially,butinwardlyandfromthecoreofourbeing.Whataresomewaysthatyounurture“becoming”moreandmorelikeGodinyourlife?
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“Exodus”Fall Series 1Lesson 2“Exodus 22:22-24:18”Materials: The Bible, Ancient translations, Commentaries, both ancient and modern, Books, journal articles, dictionaries, the internet, and other resources as may be appropriate.Procedures