PEOPLE Flashcards
MOSES
main character of exodus
- called by god to lead Israelites to Egypt
- burning bush “here I am”
- plagues and pharaoh “let my people go!”
- parting the Red Sea - a defining miracle
- Ten Commandments - establishes gods covenant with Israel
- golden calf incident - Moses smashes tablets in anger
DOUBT AND LEADERSHIP - Moses questions himself “who am I that I should go to Pharoh?” but god reassures him
OBEDIENCE AND FAITH - despite hardships Moses trusts gods plan
YHWH
sacred name of god
“ehyeh Asher ehyeh” - “ I am who I am”
- god is eternal, self existent, and beyond human comprehension
AARON
Moses’ brother and spokesperson
- helps perform miracle before pharaoh
- creates golden calf and shows Israels tendency toward IDOLATRY
- becomes high priest and creates priesthood
PHINEHAS
stopped Israels apostasy of worshipping BAAL PEOR by killing an Israelite man and midianite woman who were disobeying god
BALAAM
a non- Isrealite prophet/diviner hired by KING BALAK of Moab to CURSE ISREAL
- instead of cursing Israel he blesses Israel 3 times
BALAAM’S TALKING DONKEY
on his way to meet BALAK, his donkey stops because an angel of YHWH blocks the path
- BALAAM then beats the donkey 3 times and the donkey speaks “ what have I done to you, that you have struck me 3 times?” in Numbers
- even a pagan prophet can’t go against YHWH’s will
- symbol of divine control because god can use anyone to accomplish his purposes
JOSHUA
Moses’ successor and military leader who leads Israel to Canaan
- faithful to YHWH like many in the wilderness
- commands battles in Jericho and Ai
- establishes covenant renewal at schechem
- unlike Moses, he enters the promised land
- shows that obedience leads to victory
- helps fulfill YHWH’s promise to give Israel the land
RAHAB
Canaan prostitue in Jericho that helps Israelite spies from the king
- declares her faith in YHWH , her family is spared when Israel destroys Jericho
- even a Canaan woman recognizes YHWH’s power, she trusts him more than many Israelites
DEBORAH
the only female judge and prophetess of Israel in judges
- she was a leader and advisor NOT a warrior
- she held court under a palm tree
SISERA
Canaanite general who flees from battle and seeks refuge in Jael’s tent
SAUL
1st king of Israel chosen by god
DOWNFALLS:
- spares king Agag and keeps livestock instead of destroying them in Samuel 1
- hes jealous of David for his bravery he doesn’t have, he’s more popular than him, and god is with David not with Saul
JONATHAN
SAUL’s son and warns David about SAUL’s plan to kill him
- his loyalty is divided
- when he dies, David says : “how the mighty have have fallen!”, this shows David’s deep love and respect.
DEHLILAH
Philistine prostitute that Samuel sleeps with
- she’s bribed by the philisties to find out his secret
- she nags him until he tells the truth and has his hair cut, the lord departs him, then the philistines capture blind and imprison him
