4b - the exodus Flashcards
why does exodus remain such a foundational event in the bible?
because it marks the birth of israel as a nation
what does exodus refer to?
refers to the departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt
what are some key points about the birth of the nation?
-a national charter
-promise of land
-shapes their idenitiy for years to come
-takes up the majority of the pentateuch/torah
- continually revised and reinterpreted by later generations
-final form achieved in the Babylonian exile and even post-exilic period
exodus as history. what does JSB 103 say?
“the narrative in exodus focuses on the paradigmatic significance of the events and on celebrating them rather than the historical details”
what is the structure of exodus?
- enslavement and liberation
- journey to sinai
- covenant and lawgiving at sinai
- the sanctuary and the golden calf
where are jacob and his sons at the end of genesis?
egypt
what happens to the israelites at the beginning of exodus?
they have multiplied
what happened with the change in power?
-a new king arises in egypt who did not know joesph
-forces the israelites into slaves to build their city
what was pharaoh’s decree?
to kill all male children
who was pharaoh?
a ruler of egypt
evidence for the exodus: PROS
-moses’s egyptian name
-memory as a slave nation
-ANE evidence for egyptian slavery of other nations
-moses’ midianite wife
-reference to the crossing of the sea in earliest poetic chapters
-enduring legacy of the exodus throughout the hebrew bible
evidence for the exodus: CONS
-no egyptian evidence of israelite slaves
-no evidence for the plagues
-unnamed pharaoh
-inflated # of hebrew slaves
who are the two midwives?
shiphrah and puah
who are the midwives versus?
a pharaoh who is forgotten
what is it meant by the word tetragrammaton?
divine name of God “I am who I am”
what is moses portrayed as?
a prophet
what is the importance of theophany?
the appearance of God at the burning bush
what are the prophetic call narratives?
-commission
-resistance
-reassurance
-acceptance
what are some examples of the prophetic call narrative?
moses, jeremiah, ezekiel, jonah, etc
the reluctance of moses: what are moses objections?
-who am i?
-what is his name?
-fear of unbelief
-i am slow to speech
-please send someone else
the reluctance of moses: god’s reassurances
-i will be with you
-i am has sent you
-staff - signs and wonders
-i will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak
-aaron shall speak for you
what is the plague narrative?
- a contest between god and pharaoh
-god sides with the oppressed against the powerful
-ultimate victory occurs at the reed (not red) sea
describe the contest between god and pharaoh?
-they want to prove who is the most powerful
-hebrew god against the egyptian pharaoh
- egyptian magicians no match for hebrew god
what does biblical text say about the red sea?
it says reed sea not red sea
describe the exodus route
likely crosses a smaller channel or lagoon in the northeast of egypt
what theme is used by exodus imagery throughout the hebrew bible?
liberation
