Help with discussion thread on Moses

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Post two (2) replies to peer threads of at least 250 words each. Each reply to peer threads should incorporate thoughtful analysis and advance the conversation with acknowledgement of strengths and ways to enhance or strengthen peer threads. Evidential support from Scripture and academic sources should be included as appropriate to validate argumentation in the replies to peer threads.

1st Reply – Chad Rossi

The experiences of Moses in Exodus 1-6 and the experiences of Israel in Exodus 12-34 both involve a journey of liberation and redemption from slavery in Egypt.

In Exodus 1-6, we see that Moses is born into a Hebrew family but is raised in the palace of Pharaoh. He then flees to the land of Midian after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. There, he has a divine encounter with God, who commissions him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. Just as the Baby Moses Cried and was sent provision in the form of Pharaoh’s daughter[1], in Exodus 12-34, we see that the Israelites are enslaved in Egypt and cry out to God for deliverance. God sends Moses as a provision to lead them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles, including the ten plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the challenge of wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

Furthermore, both Moses and the Israelites experience God's provision and protection throughout their journey. For example, God provides manna and quail for the Israelites to eat in the wilderness, and He gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other instructions for building the tabernacle. Overall, the experiences of Moses in Exodus 1-6 and the experiences of Israel in Exodus 12-34 are parallel in that they both involve a journey from slavery to freedom, with God as their guide and protector.

There are several theological principles communicated in the parallels between the experiences of Moses in Exodus 1-6 and the experiences of Israel in Exodus 12-34:

God hears the cries of His people and responds with compassion and deliverance.

(Exodus 3:7-8) "The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.'"

God chooses and equips leaders to carry out His plan of salvation.

(Exodus 3:10-11) "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

God provides for His people's physical and spiritual needs.

(Exodus 16:15) "When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.'" We see this in how the New Testament authors moved from the lamb of the first Passover to the Lamb of God in Jesus Christ as a provision for our spiritual needs of redemption.[2]

God desires for His people to live in a relationship with Him and to follow His commands.

(Ex 20:2-3) "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

These theological principles are communicated throughout the narrative of Exodus and are reinforced through the parallels between the experiences of Moses and the experiences of Israel.

The parallels between Moses' experiences in Exodus 1-6 and Israel's experiences in Exodus 12-34 are relevant to the Christian life today in several ways.

We are all in need of salvation and redemption. Just as the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, we are all enslaved to sin and in need of deliverance through Christ (Rm 3:23, 6:23).

God hears our cries and responds with compassion and salvation. Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites and sent Moses to deliver them, God hears our prayers and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from sin and death (John 3:16, Heb 2:14-15).

God chooses and equips leaders to carry out His plan of salvation. Just as God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He has chosen leaders throughout history, including apostles, prophets, and pastors, to guide His people and proclaim the good news of salvation (Eph 4:11-13).

God's power is greater than any earthly power and He can overcome all obstacles to deliver His people. Just as God parted the Red Sea and defeated the armies of Pharaoh, He is able to overcome any obstacle or challenge we face in our lives (Ps 46:1-3, Mt 19:26).

God provides for our physical and spiritual needs. Just as God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness with manna and water, He provides for our needs through His grace and provision (Mt 6:31-33, Philippians 4:19).

God desires for us to live in a relationship with Him and to follow His commands. Just as God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and other instructions for living, He has given us His Word and His Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives (John 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In summary, the parallels between Moses' experiences in Exodus 1-6 and Israel's experiences in Exodus 12-34 remind us of the need for salvation, the compassion of God, the provision of God, and the call to follow God's commands. These principles are the driving force to the Christian life today, and serve as a reminder of the power and grace of God in our lives.

Footnotes:

[1] Hamilton, Victor P. 2005. Handbook on the PentateuchLinks to an external site.. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 140

[2] Ibid. 179

2nd Reply – Margie Brown

How do the experiences of Moses in Exodus 1-6 parallel the experiences of Israel in Exodus 12-34? What specific theological principles are communicated in the parallels? Identify the specific Scripture verse or passage related to each parallel you discuss.

There are a number of ways in which one can see the parallels between the early life of Moses and the liberation of the Israelites as a people. In response to the Pharaoh's order that all male children born to Israelites should be put to death, Moses' mother decides to throw him in the water. This decision is prompted by the Pharaoh's decree. (Exodus 1). Then, Moses is saved from his impending death, and he continues to exist among the Egyptian people. (Exodus 2:1-10). In the concluding of the 10 plagues, God will use a method analogous to this one to take the lives of Egyptian first-born children. In a manner analogous to the manner in which the people of Israel were spared from death by the sacrifice of a calf during the Passover celebration, Moses is protected from death by his mother by having her wrap him in a blanket and offer him as a sacrifice. (Exodus 11). Moses is offered the opportunity to reside in the palace of the Pharaoh; however, he opts to take the life of an Egyptian, and as a result, he is forced to flee Egypt by traveling through the desert. The murdering of the Egyptian by him as an act of defiance is analogous to the Israelites' defiance after God had communicated the laws to them.( Exodus 32-34).

How do the parallels of Moses’ experiences in Exodus 1-6 and Israel’s experiences in Exodus 12-34 relate to Christian life today? Be specific and connect the theological lessons with New Testament Scripture supporting the continued relevance for today.

Exodus provides a foundation for contemporary Christian living in a number of different ways as well. Christians living in the modern era frequently experience the oppression of ordinary life as a result of mounting pressures and strife; however, just as God was a God of salvation during the Exodus, God continues to be the God of salvation in the modern era. Even though we might not have a physical need to be led into the wilderness, we can still be guided by God in the choices that we make on a daily basis. We also maintain a rebellious attitude that is comparable to that of the people of Israel. Even though we are fully aware of both the will of God and his laws, we still make the conscious decision to put ourselves in situations where we are compelled to sin. According to Romans 10:9, we are required to acknowledge our wrongdoing if we want to be redeemed. In John 3:16, we are instructed about the supreme offering that must be made for our redemption. Exodus also teaches us that we are still very similar to our ancestors in the ways that we are unable to completely trust what we may know about God based on what is seen and that in order to fully trust God, we still require more robust faith. This is something that we learn from the book of Exodus.

These teachings are just as relevant for Christians living in the modern period as they were when they were first given. First and foremost, it is essential to keep in mind that God is still a God who saves his people. He frees us from the control that Satan has over us as well as the consequences of the evil that we have committed. Second, even in the present day, God continues to act in a just manner. In the same manner that he will condemn those who mistreat his people and oppress his people, he will also vindicate his people when they are the ones who are mistreated and oppressed. Third, in spite of all that has happened, God is a God who honors his commitments. He upholds his end of the bargain with those who have placed their faith in him, as well as the commitments he made in the agreement he made with others.