Overview
This lecture covers the narrative and themes from Exodus through Deuteronomy, focusing on Israel's escape from Egypt, the giving of the law, and the identity-forming nature of the Torah.
Exodus: The Story of Escape
- Israelites prosper in Egypt until a new Pharaoh enslaves them.
- Moses, an Israelite raised in Pharaoh’s court, flees Egypt after killing an Egyptian.
- God appears to Moses in a burning bush and commands him to free the Israelites.
- God reveals the divine name as YHWH (Tetragrammaton).
- Moses confronts Pharaoh; God sends 10 plagues culminating in the death of Egyptian firstborns.
- The Israelites are spared by the first Passover.
- Pharaoh releases the Israelites, then pursues and is defeated when God parts and closes the sea.
Covenant and Laws at Sinai
- The Exodus is Israel’s founding story, referenced throughout the Hebrew Bible.
- At Sinai, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments: four about God-human relations, six about human-human relations.
- The narrative shifts from story to laws governing Israelite life and worship.
The Legal Codes
- Covenant Code (Exodus 20–23): Mix of causistic (case-based) and apodictic (general) laws; parallels other ancient Near Eastern codes.
- Holiness Code (Leviticus 17–26): Emphasizes ritual purity, distinctiveness from other nations, and maintaining holiness.
- Deuteronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12–26): Repeats and updates earlier laws, reinforcing Israel’s unique identity.
Sacred Identity: Time, Space, Status
- Sacred time: Laws regulate holy days like the Sabbath and Passover.
- Sacred space: Detailed rules for constructing and maintaining the tabernacle.
- Sacred status: Social hierarchy with Yahweh at the top, followed by priests and Israelites.
Failures and Punishments in the Wilderness
- Golden calf incident: Israelites make an idol while Moses receives laws; God punishes but does not abandon them.
- Lack of trust: Israelites refuse to enter Canaan due to fear; God decrees 40 years of wandering and denies entry to the doubters.
Summary of the Five Books
- Genesis: Origins and ancestors.
- Exodus: Escape from Egypt, Passover, and law-giving.
- Leviticus: Ritual and purity laws.
- Numbers: Census, laws, and wilderness stories.
- Deuteronomy: Repetition and reinforcement of laws.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Exodus — The Israelites’ escape from Egyptian slavery.
- YHWH/Tetragrammaton — The four-letter name of God revealed to Moses.
- Passover — Festival commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt.
- Covenant Code — Case-based and general laws in Exodus.
- Holiness Code — Laws on ritual purity and separation in Leviticus.
- Deuteronomic Code — Expanded/repeated laws in Deuteronomy.
- Sacred time/space/status — Concepts structuring Israelite religious life.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read Exodus 11–12 for the Passover narrative.
- Reflect on the structure and organization of the Torah’s laws.
- Prepare for the next lecture on the historical books (Joshua and Judges).