The Exodus and the Covenant of Sinai Chapter 3 FREEDOM The Exodus and the Covenant of Sinai

Book of Exodus begins about 450 years after Joseph Reigning pharaoh hates and fears the Israelites—orders that all infant male Israelites must be killed at birth.

The Exodus: Freed from Slavery A. Young Moses 1. Moses’ mother and sister Miriam save Moses by placing him in a basket and set him afloat in the Nile River. 2. Grows up as part of Pharaoh’s family yet knows he is an Israelite.

3. As a young man, he defends. a Hebrew slave and kills an 3. As a young man, he defends a Hebrew slave and kills an Egyptian soldier. 4. Moses flees Egypt to Midian and marries a priest’s daughter and becomes a shepherd. *Read EX 1:6-22; 2:1-15

B. The Burning Bush: In the Presence of the Holy 1. The Israelites forget about God; cry out in agony; God is mindful of their suffering.

2. Moses sees the Burning. Bush—God commands him to 2. Moses sees the Burning Bush—God commands him to return to Egypt and order Pharaoh to free the Israelites. *Read EX 3:1-22; 4:1-17

3. Moses protests— who am I to say sent me? God answers, “Yahweh” (I am who am or I am who I am.) Best expressed as: “I am the One who is always present. 4. Israelites are happy to have a God who is supreme and a constant and caring presence.

5. The name Yahweh. expresses the. unutterable mystery of 5. The name Yahweh expresses the unutterable mystery of God (won’t say it out loud) and therefore substitute titles like Adonai which means “the Lord.”

1. Moses and Aaron give God’s message to the Israelites— they rejoice! C. “Let My People Go!” 1. Moses and Aaron give God’s message to the Israelites— they rejoice! 2. Pharaoh rejects the order: Why should he heed the God of Slaves? He, who is the son of the great god Ra, can’t free the labor force—he doubles their workload. *Read EX 4:27-31; 5:1-23; 6:1

D. Pharaoh: Plagued by Plagues 1. Moses and Aaron repeat their demand: Pharaoh refuses. 2. The Ten Plagues begin: EX: #10—death to firstborn of Egypt *Read EX 6:28-30; 7:1-25; 8:1-11; 11:1-10

E. Preparation for the Passover 1. God gives Moses instructions for the journey out of Egypt: sacrifice a lamb and use the blood over the door to tell the angel of God whose house to pass over when striking down the firstborn of each household. No leaven (yeast) for the bread. *Read EX 12:1-14

2. Passover memorial- celebrated in the spring by Israelites—Jesus celebrated Passover on Holy Thursday night. (The same night the first Eucharist was instituted. Both celebrate freedom—from slavery and from the power of sin and death.)

F. “Go and Good Riddance!” 1. Pharaoh is greatly distressed by the 10th Plague— sends Israelites on their way. *Read EX 12:29-39

G. The Great Escape: Crossing the Sea of Reeds 1. God leads the Israelites (travels “in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.”

2. Pharaoh chases them—. God parts the Red Sea—caves in 2. Pharaoh chases them— God parts the Red Sea—caves in on the Egyptians drowning them. *Read EX 13:17-22; 14:1-31; 15:1-21

H. Murmuring and Grumbling in the Wilderness 1. Israelites complain about hardships. 2. God provides water and “manna.” I. An Exodus Perspective for Babylonian Exiles: “Trust the Lord!” *Read EX 15:22-27; 16:1-36; 17:1-6