Through The Bible

Session #3

November 7, 2001

 

Past two weeks – looking at Lesson #2 – “The Book of Genesis”

 

Highlights from Lesson #2

 

Remember the 4 themes I said summarized Genesis?  (Creation, Fall, Flood, Patriarchs / Matriarchs)

 

Four key people in Genesis: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph

 

In Genesis 6, we see the integration of the godly and the ungodly.  Then there’s a reference to 2 Corinthians 6:14 about being ‘unequally yoked’ or ‘mismatched.’  What do you think this means?

 

What from this lesson would you like to talk about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Background information on Exodus in preparation for Lesson #3 – “The Book of Exodus”

 

We can look at Exodus from two vantage points:

 

a.       Human Point of View – Exodus teaches us about the redemption of humanity.  God saved the Hebrew people.

 

b.      Divine Point of View – Exodus displays God’s power.  We see this power displayed in the 10 plagues and the parting of the Reed Sea.

 

 

Two periods make up the account of exodus:

 

(a)    deliverance – chapters 1-18 which are mostly historical.

 

(b) wilderness – chapters 19-40 which are mostly theological.

 

 

How did we get the form of Exodus we have today?

 

Remember the sources we talked about for Genesis. Three sources seem most likely.

            J = Yahwist Source

            E = Elohim Source

            P = Priestly Source

 

 

The Geography of the book gets you out of Egypt to Mt. Sinai

 

            Look at map of whole region (gave out map in session 1).

·        Note the distance from Israel to Egypt.  It’s not that far.  Most direct route is about 300 miles yet the people would wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

 

How did the Abrahamic people get to Egypt?  Must remember how Genesis ends up.

·        See “Joseph’s Story” map.

·        Remember Joseph’s rise to power came because a group of rulers (called the Hyksos) were favorable to him.  These Hyksos (name means “foreign chiefs”) people were the forerunners to the Pharaohs. 

-         Hyksos rulers in Egypt from 15th to 17th dynasties.  They overthrew the native Egyptians around 1700 BC.

-         The Hyksos rulers were very favorable to foreigners which made for favorable conditions for the Hebrews to multiply.  Also for Joseph to rise to power.

-         New king not so favorable (ex. 1.8).  Foreigners expelled or enslaved.

-         The pharaohs used the name ‘abiru – word meaning ‘wanderer’ or ‘outsider’ and most likely included what we now call the Hebrews.

 

·        Seti I (1,308 BC – 1,290 BC) most likely the Pharaoh of Exodus 1.  He saw the bulging population of the Hebrews and sought to do something about it – infanticide. 

 

When did these events happen?  Most likely, we’re talking about a dating of between 1,350 BC – 1,200 BC for the events of Exodus. 

·        Turning the page from the last of Genesis to the first part of Exodus moves the clock ahead 400 years.

·        The Hebrews have grown from the 70 (Gen. 46.26-27) to a nation undergoing population explosion.  Your book estimates the number at 600,000.

 

·        See also “Into Slavery” map which will give a better overview of book of Exodus.

 

Some important themes in Exodus that we’ll want to note:

 

Covenant – important theme of Exodus.

 

The tendency for God’s people to rebel.  Rebellion caused them to wander in the wilderness and for a generation to die because of disobedience.

 

 

Some subtle nuances to the beginning of Exodus.

 

Look at Exodus 3.4 – Note that God calls to Moses and says his name twice.  Why is that?

·        Not careless repetition but a Semitic style.  To repeat a name indicates a close relationship.  It’s like saying, “My dear Moses...” or “My good friend Moses...”

·        1 Samuel 3:4 > God calls Samuel twice.

·        2 Samuel 18:33 > David calls out to his son Absalom.

·        2 Samuel 19:4 > Same as 18:33.

·        Matthew 7:21 > Jesus says not everyone who calls out “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom.

·        Matthew 27:46 > Jesus calls out to God on the cross.

·        Acts 9:4 > God calls out to Saul on the road to Damascus.

·        Luke 6:46 > Jesus asks why we would call out Lord Lord and not do what he says.  Good question for us.

 

 

Exodus 4.10 – Moses is called by God and Moses says he’s not eloquent. 

·        Did Moses have a speech impediment?  Could be but there could be another option.

·        Exaggerated eastern humility – a style of expressing humility in an extreme way.  We should not really take it literally. 

·        Someone asks you to be the leader.  You say, “Oh, I’m not really the one you want,” but you really don’t want to appear too eager.

·        This is kind of a ritual protest before you take the job.  Also a way of asking, “Do you really want me?”

·        Also in Jeremiah’s call, Isaiah 6:5.

 

·        What would it mean if God only called the reluctant ones?  (God forces us into something; God chooses those without desire or giftedness)

-         Consistent teaching in Scripture that gifts and calling go hand in hand.

-         God doesn’t call losers to do his work.

 

 

 

 

Exodus 4.24-26 – Look at this mysterious statement: God was about to kill Moses!  What’s going on here? 

·        Feet is euphemism for genitalia. 

·        Moses was going to go to Egypt to relieve the people but he hadn’t even circumcised his own son yet. 

·        Moses should have done this as a good Kenite citizen. 

·        Israel wasn’t the first people to do circumcision. 

·        Zipporah does the right thing and helps out Moses by doing the right thing.  Zipporah is a sharp woman who does the right things.