REL 113: Old Testament Faith and History. Exodus. RJDKnauth
Exodus event as defining moment of Israelite history,
giving identity to nation.
Liberation >> Sinai Covenant. An
ANE theme pattern of victory >> kingship.
Is God able and willing to fulfill the Promise?
Various barriers. Fulfillment even in exile…
Revealing the Character of YHWH through action, argument and law:
Powerful,
Merciful, Long-suffering. Personally
Caring. Righteous.
Remembering through ritual: the Passover, Covenant Renewal ceremonies, etc.
(Form Crit.)
Overview of the content of the book of Exodus:
Story of Exodus
event: oppression, cry, deliverer, plagues, Passover, sea.
Wilderness
wandering, complaining, rebellion. God
can provide.
Covenant at Sinai: description, 10 Words,
Covenant Code (oldest law: cf Hammurabi).
Instructions for
building Ark, Tabernacle, Altar, etc.; priestly garments, consecration.
Golden Calf-
jeopardizing God’s continuing presence. Moses’
argument, God’s glory.
New Tablets,
more instructions, building the tabernacle, altar, ark, etc.
Historical Background of the Exodus: Egyptian New Kingdom, Rameses II (19th
Dynasty).
Debate re date.
Hyksos conn. w/ Joseph. Expulsion in 1550. “New Pharaoh arose.”
Cities
named as “Pithom, Rameses.” Building
projects (moved capital).
Merneptah “Israel” stella (1207)
provides date before which Exodus must already have happened.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of
absence. Would not expect
historical record. “Hapiru.”
Sources again: differing images of the crossing of the ‘Reed Sea’?
ANE imagery.
J: Naturalistic-
wind uncovers shallow muddy area, chariot wheels stuck in mud, turn back.
P: Miraculous
splitting of sea, water returns and covers over the Egyptians.
Poem: Storm at
sea throws Egyptians into water (off boats?) and they sink to the bottom.
Theological message of the wilderness complaining stories from exilic
perspective:
God is ABLE to
provide (able to fill role of other ANE deities in providing food, water, etc.)
God is WILLING
to fulfill promise despite continual rebellion and sin – comforting in exile.
Note
repetitions in the book of Numbers.
Sinai Revelation at chiastic center?
Sinai theophany – ANE storm-god imagery? Volcanic mountain? Contradictions?
Comparisons w/ ANE law. “Apodictic” vs. “Casuistic” (case law). ANE
Treaty format.
Law as demonstrating something of the just character of the law-giver – a
theological message.
Tabernacle instructions. Orderly,
meditative. Note repetitions.
Fictitious retro- of Solomonic temple?
Friedman says no – tabernacle real, set up inside temple!
Theological implications of tent vs.
temple. El vs. Baal. Presence of YHWH. Temple
improper?
The Character of Moses as legendary charismatic leader,
intercessor, law-giver.
Developing the righteous character of Moses
– transforming an old Sargon legend? Murderer?
Women’s roles
in the Moses story: Midwives, Mother, Sister, Adopted Mother, Wife.
Patterns of
Charismatic Leadership: compare with judges, David, etc. Importance of humility.
Moses
“standing in the gap” – trapped as the go-between for God and People.
The
righteousness of arguing with God – demonstrating God’s character.
Moses’ father-in-law and the “Midianite
Hypothesis” (vs. Akhenaten hypothesis) re monotheism.
The Source Hypothesis – Moses vs. Aaron
(E vs. P) – warring priestly houses? Sibling rivalry?
Discussion on the Plagues, the Red Sea, and the Golden
Calf. Consider sources and
purposes.
Who would have written this? When? Why? Who benefits? Justice?
Iconography?