A Guide for the Perplexed: Exodus

Transcription

1 A Guide for the Perplexed: Exodus Deacon Mark Koscinski St. Mary s Byzantine Catholic Church Hillsborough NJ March 15, 2015

2 Why Do We Read the OT? These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us,... So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! - 1 Cor. 10:11,12 NIV Source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

3 Why Do We Read Exodus? 3 We are Byzantine Catholics. Why do we look at Exodus? We see the Face of Christ in the Old Testament. He is present in this Book.

4 Christ in Exodus The Cross Moses holding out his arms in the form of the cross during the battle with Amalek and the parting of seas. Baptism-coming up out of the water to new life. The Temple and ritual--our churches resemble the Temple. The proper reverence of sacred icons. Timeless law that we must obey.

5 What does Exodus Mean? Exodus means departure or leaving. For the Israelites, it was departure from the Slavery of Egypt. For us, it is the departure from the Slavery of Sin. Source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

6 The Pentateuch 1. Genesis The Beginning 2. Exodus the Delivery from Slavery 3. Leviticus the Book of Laws 4. Numbers A history of the Wandering 5. Deuteronomy the farewell discourse of Moses Was it really forty years in the desert? Forty is used in the Bible to mean a long time. For instance, it rained for forty days and forty nights; Jesus was in the desert for forty days, etc.

7 The First Five Books of the Bible Cover. From the Creation Until Moses death Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land There is a Jewish tradition he was taken directly to heaven Which is why he appears with Elijah at the Transfiguration.

8 When was the Exodus? No one is completely certain. Estimates are from 1500 BC to 1200 BC Important tidbit: Jews were given leeway in the practice of their religion since it was an ancient as the Roman religion. Rome was founded in 753 BC. The religion of the Jews predated even the Roman Republic and their false Gods.

9 When Do We Read 9 Exodus? It is integral to our preparation for the Paschal season. Exodus is read during Holy Week.

10 Exodus Outline Ex. 1 Slavery of the Israelites A new pharaoh Ex. 2-4 Moses He has an Egyptian name A truly human figure Sometimes strong, sometimes weak Unsure of his speaking ability Outline source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

11 Exodus Outline Ex plagues 1 st Passover and the exodus Ex Journey from Egypt to Mt. Sinai Where is Mt. Sinai? There is a monastery on the traditional site But in truth, no one is quite sure The Monastery on Mt. Sinai is St. Catherine s.

12 Exodus Outline Ex The Law given on Mt. Sinai The beginning of the nation of Israel Ex. 32 Idolatry (golden calf) and punishment Are there Ten Commandments? Actually, no. The first five books of the Bible have 613. In fact, there are two different versions of the Ten Commandments. Can you find them?

13 Exodus Outline Ex Regiving of the Law on Mt. Sinai Ex Moses instructs Israel Tabernacle constructed the beginning of the Temple. Priestly robes and other ritual objects made The Ark of the Covenant was contained in a tent like structure. This was the Tabernacle. Later, Solomon built the Temple for it.

14 Schematic of the Tabernacle 14 source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

15 What commands to obey Timeless moral commands (mentioned in both the O.T. & N.T and reaffirmed by Jesus. Other revealed commands (unique to the N.T., but given by Jesus and the apostles) Exclude obsolete O.T. commands (those not repeated in the N.T., like circumcision, animal sacrifices, visiting Jerusalem three times each year, not working on Saturdays, etc.) source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

16 Falsehood of Idolatry Most of the 10 plagues made one or more Egyptian gods lose face This helped both Israelites and Egyptians see that Yahweh was the one true God Golden calf incident in Ex. 32 Source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

17 Plagues attack on gods Plague Nile turned to blood Frogs Plague on cattle Egyptian god attacked Khnum: guardian of the Nile Hapi: spirit of the Nile Heqt: frog god Hathor: cow god Apis: bull of god Ptah Mnevis: sacred bull source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

18 Plagues attack on gods Plague Hail Locusts Egyptian god attacked Nut: sky goddess Isis: goddess of life Seth: protector of crops Isis: goddess of life Seth: protector of crops source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

19 Plagues attack on gods Plague Darkness Death of firstborn Egyptian god attacked Re, Aten, Atum, Horus (all Sun gods of sorts) The deity of Pharaoh Osiris: the giver of life source: somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt

20 Science Says 20 There are explanations for all of these plagues. The River Nile turned red occasionally due to contamination. It caused the frogs to leave the water. They died and insects began to feed on the frogs. The miracle was not so much the event, but the TIMING.

21 Moses and Icons 21 The Ark of the Covenant Cherubim on the Ark Manna and his Staff The Tablets of the Commandments Images on the Curtain The Bronze Serpents

22 Special Thanks to. 22 somehelpful.info/ot/exodus.ppt Several of the slides were adapted from this outstanding website. We are indebted to the author for his outstanding scholarship. Suggestions?