Unit 2 Religion

Levi

descendants are Moses, Aaron, Miriam, (Midianites)

Judah

descendants are Davids and Jesus

Joseph

descendants are Joshua

Yahweh + World

Gen 1-11 is a pattern in Torah; sets up the entire bible of the relationship

Yahweh + family of Abraham

Gen 12- Ex 15 is a pattern in Torah; Yahweh's mission to rescue creation through the covenant story with Israel

Israel, Torah, + Sinai Covenant

Ex 16- Num 36; Yahweh calls Israel into a covenant with himself on behalf of the nations; Israel is consistently disobedient

theodicy

the branch of theology that defends God's goodness and justice in the face of the existence of evil; dealing with God and evil in the form of questioning

theophany

a visible manifestation of a deity to a human person; ex: pillar of fire in desert

10 plagues

1. Blood 2. Frogs 3. Gnats 4. Flies 5. Livestock 6. Boils 7. Hail 8. Locusts 9. Darkness 10. Firstborn

Symbolism of death of firstborn during plague

Goes back to when Pharaoh originally killed the Israelites sons and now the Egyptian firstborn sons are being killed

sinai covenant

mosaic covenant, 10 commandments, decalogue

hesed

steadfast love

Holiness

relates to 10 Commandments as a subcategory or way of organization; laws to avoid impurity such as death

Sacrifice

relates to 10 Commandments as a subcategory or way of organization; animals, usally as substitute

Justice

relates to 10 Commandments as a subcategory or way of organization; being created imago Dei->honor fundamental human dignity->live justly

Sacred Times

relates to 10 Commandments as a subcategory or way of organization; honor this in partnership w/God; Sabbath

Jubilee

a 50th anniversary in which all sins and impurities are forgiven through scapegoat and sacrifice

Tabernacle

a tent that served as a meeting place for the Israelites; was considered to be holy, and served as a place of worship; meant to replicate Eden

Leviticus

disobedience is sinful; impurity is not; unable to be in presence of GOd

impurity

needs to be clean in order to encounter God; becomes impure through death, illness, etc.

Purpose of Laws

To set Israel apart from neighboring nations and also the conditional covenant aka Sinai Covenant

priests

represent God and the people

Numbers

mess up and God blocks generation from Promised Land

Deuteronomy

series of speeches from Moses to Israel about keeping faith

Israel's Leaders

leaders under the law

Ex 1:8-22, oppression of Israelites

After moving to Egypt and several generations passed the Israelites are treated as slaves

Ex 3:1-14, burning bush

Moses encounters a bush on fire that is not burnt; a theophany; removes sandals as he is on holy ground and God tells him he is to save the people from Israel

Ex 4:1-17, Moses' excuses

Moses makes excuses such as that he isn't good at public speaking, was a nobody, inadequete and can also be seen as an enemy

Ex 12:1-14, Passover

God saving Israelite's firstborns by having them place a young lamb's blood on doorframe; continues to be a tradition

Ex 16:1-15, manna + quail

God provides for his people through manna and quail; shows his love and care even though the people complained and said they would rather be back in Egypt

Ex 19:3-19, theophany at Sinai

God in the form of the pillar of clouds during the day and the pillar of fire at night

Ex 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments

can be counted different ways and deals with relationship with God and with others; Holiness, Sacrifice, Justice, Sacred Times; an invitation to trust God; makes Israel distinct but Israel breaks them

What are the Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other God’s before me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.

5. Honor your father and mother.

6. Thou shalt not kill. — God wants us to protect human life.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. — This means husbands and wives should be faithful to one another.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shall not bear false witness.

10. You shall not covet.

Ex 24:1-11, sealing the covenant

the people accepting the 10 Commandments; sacrifice young bulls to God;

Ex 32:1-16, golden calf

right after 10 Commandments are accepted Israel builds an idol with the help of Aaron; Moses convinces him not to, reminding him of the Abrahamic covenant and promise to his people, God's reputation among (Israel's) enemies, God already liberated them. God forgives the nation as a whole and describes himself as merciful and loving, but says that because he is good, he cannot leave the wicked unpunished

Lev 16:15-22, Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur; Through sacrifice you are trying to reset your relationship with God and with others; The sacrifice of the 2 goats; scapegoat into wilderness and other is sacrificed; Removing sin and impurity; Jubilee every 50 years (I believe)

Num 13:1-3, 25-33, exploring Canaan

What should Israel be prepared for? Expectations

Deut 6:1-9, the Shema

One of Mose’s last addresses to the Israelites; “Here Oh Israel”;
Takes the 10 commandments and boils it down into one that you shall love God, if you love God above then everything else will follow;
Should be imprinted onto children, habit of the heart

7 Annual Feasts

remind Israel who they are

Joshua's generation

the generation that is allowed to enter the promised land

Disobedience of the people

common theme; people disobey the laws and then more laws are put in place; cycle