“exodus” · “exodus 22:22-24:18” objective: to examine the account of the exodus from egypt...

“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