Bible Study September 2, 2020
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 4 – 12:28
[text Exodus 12:1-14]
We have been spending time in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Torah. Often “Torah” is understood as “law” while actually it is closer to instruction or teaching. The Torah teaches God’s people what it means to live as God’s people in relationship with each other and with God. Genesis describes the Creation of all that is, “both seen and unseen,” and the establishment of a covenant relationship between God and the descendants of Abraham and Sarah. This covenant is the basis for God’s actions in the Book of Exodus. Take a look back at these verses: 2:24, 3:6, 3:15, 4:5, 6:2. God repeatedly reminds God’s people of his faithfulness over the generations. What does this faithfulness mean to you today?
Recall the four major themes in Exodus: 1) Liberation, 2) Law, 3) Covenant, and 4) Presence. Last week we read of God’s call of Moses to redeem and liberate the Hebrew people who were enslaved in Egypt. Central to this call was the remarkable burning bush scene in Midian where Moses was tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro.
(We read but didn’t spend time discussing God’s name, “YHWH.” Translated this means “I will be what I will be.” This can be understood in the Tanakh Translation of the Hebrew Bible as “My nature will become evident from my actions.” This will continue to be a theme going forward in today’s readings and on through the years in the wilderness.)
In the intervening chapters between last week’s and the focus text we read of Moses’ interactions with the Pharaoh, the retribution Pharaoh metes out as the Hebrews work was made more difficult (Chapter 5). At the end of Chapter 6, we read the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. Read 6:14 – 7:2. What do you notice here? Which son of Jacob are Moses and Aaron descended from? What is the significance of the genealogy being placed here?
Read Chapter 6:2-9. Of the four themes we see in Exodus, which do you think is most predominant here? Now, focus on vs 6-8. List what it is that God has said God would do. (You may want to underline them in your Bible). How many are there? How did the Hebrews, the people of Israel receive this? Think about a time in your life or your family’s life or the life of a friend where one’s present circumstances made it difficult to hear the promises of God.
And, here come the plagues. Notice that in Chapter 4 God gave Moses the ability to perform signs
before Pharaoh to persuade him that Moses was of God and God would liberate his people. In
Chapter 7, we see Moses before Pharaoh performing these “signs.” (Compare to the use of “signs” in
the Gospel of John – 2:18, 3:2, 20:30-32.) In Exodus 7:11and 7:22 (the first plague), we read that
the magicians of Pharaoh were able to perform the same signs that Moses did. The magicians are
beckoned also for the second plague. What “magicians” do we turn to today? What reactions do you
have to these plagues? I wonder over what period of time this occurred over.
In response to each of the plagues, we read that Pharaoh’s “heart was hardened,” the Tanakh
Translation uses the word “stiffened.” And in each successive plague, the Pharaoh is being
delegitimized, a loss of his legitimacy and authority. This is a contest between the God of Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob and the Pharaoh, the ruler of a kingdom. In the Passover, God’s people were to
demonstrate their readiness to depart the kingdom, the empire of Pharaoh.
In the focus text (12:1-14) we read of the institution of the Passover. Note verse 2 where the marking
of time is based upon this Feast which marks the redemption of God’s people. As you read this
section, what words or phrases stand out to you. The instructions were detailed and the people of
Israel did this all (12:28) Remembering is an important theme in this – see 13:3.
Do a little research on line – Google or Wikipedia or a general search. Check this link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/passover-seder-plagues-coronavirus.html What do you
learn about Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Seder?
You may also check Leviticus 23:5-8, 2 Kings 23:21-23 (before the Exile), Ezra 6:19-22 (after the
return from Babylon).
Note also, part of the liturgy of the Passover and other festivals is the recitation of Psalms 113-118.
What themes do you see in these Psalms?
Let us pray: Holy God, deliverer of your people, help us to turn to you when we are in need or
distress. Help us to remember the ways you have delivered your people for ages. In the name of
Christ. Amen.
