THE COVENANT AND THE LAW MOSES AND THE EXODUS THE COVENANT AND THE LAW

EXODUS There are two clear focal points: 1) One God 2) One chosen people Three events go together: 1) deliverance 2) a binding covenant 3) journey to the Promised Land

Exodus begins where Genesis leaves off… almost Exodus begins where Genesis leaves off… almost. The Hebrews are in Egypt because of Joseph but now they are enslaved because of their numbers and power. History talks of a time in Egyptian history when they were ruled by foreign leaders known as HYKSOS…this was probably the case with Joseph. The HYKSOS were thought to have been driven out c.1550 BC. The time of oppression for the Hebrews in Egypt would have been c.1550 B.C. until the time of the Exodus c. 1250 BC.

The Book of Exodus is divided into five major events: the childhood and call of Moses the struggle to free Israel (plagues) with the climax - the Passover escape and journey into Sinai the giving of the covenant and the laws (commandments) instructions for building the Ark and the Tent of meeting

THE BIRTH OF MOSES MOSES –to draw out Moses was raised in the court of Pharaoh Forced to flee to the desert Midian after killing an Egyptian soldier Moses encounters God while in the desert…on Mt Sinai in the burning bush God calls Moses to lead his people out of Egypt

The Call of Moses similar to the calls of all the prophets…Hebrew NABI = one who speaks for God. God calls, the prophet rejects the call, God eliminates his excuses and he accepts the call.

The “Tools” of his trade His leprous hand and his staff The 10 plagues…the most important being the death of the firstborn The 10th plague convinces pharaoh to let the people go.

The 10 Plagues 2) The plagues…the account is a combination of J,E and P sources. The first nine plagues can be explained ‘somewhat’ by natural occurrences that take place in Northern Africa even today. The importance of these events show God’s power, show God as the one true God. God is in control.

PASSOVER Passover…this feast is a combination of two ancient feasts that predate the exodus. The first is the slaughter of the lamb and the meal. The blood was spread to ward off evil spirits when the herdsmen would move from their spring pastures to summer pastures. The second feast was a farming ceremony to rid the house of old leaven in the spring. The Israelites took over these pagan feasts and gave them new meaning. Passover becomes a new spring and a new beginning. Every action has meaning - It shows God’s power, mercy, care and love for his people. It also foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God, the acceptable sacrifice to God. It prefigures the Christian Passover from death to new life through Jesus Christ.

EXODUS 14-15 THE CROSSING OF THE SEA OF REEDS…the miracle is in the timing of these events and the power of prayer! Israel could not have escaped the Egyptian army unless God guided and protected them.

Exodus 16-17 God provides for his people God gives them manna and quail God gives the people water

EXODUS 19 – THE COVENANT AT MT SINAI Moses went up the mountain to God If you keep my covenant you shall be my special people … a kingdom of priests, a holy nation People’s response… Everything the Lord has said we shall do. The Great Theophany…Mt Sinai enveloped in smoke, peals of thunder and lightning

THE TEN COMMANDENTS EXODUS 20 AND DEUT. 5

EXODUS 24 – THE COVENANT IS RATIFIED 12 PILLARS ARE ERECTED SACRIFICE IS OFFERED MOSES TOOK HALF THE BLOOD PUT IT IN LARGE BOWLS THE OTHER HALF HE SPRINKLED ON THE ALTAR HE THEN …ALL THE LORD HAS SAID WE WILL DO…THE BLOOD IS NOW SPRINKLED ON THE PEOPLE

EXODUS 32 THE HEBREWS BREAK THE FIRST COMMANDMENT BY MAKING A GOLDEN CALF IMAGE OF THE LORD MOSES MAKES A PLEA ON THEIR BEHALF WHEN HE SAW THE CALF AND DANCING MOSES THREW DOWN THE TABLETS AND BROKE THEM

EXODUS 32:30-35 ATONEMENT: MOSES PLEADS ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE GOD WILL FORGIVE THEM FOR THE IMAGE OF THE GOLDEN CALF!

EXODUS 37:1-8 THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

EXODUS 40 – THE TENT OF MEETING

THE TENT OF MEETING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT AND THE COMMANDMENTS ARE TO BE PLACED IN THE TENT IT IS ANOINTED AND CONSECRATED MOSES DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM