Exodus II

Generalization: Torah greatest law code, because more than just a law code.  Genesis provides an analysis of good/evil: justice on individual level.  Exodus: justice as part of a national system. (Last time: Genesis to Exodus similar of Socrates to Plato).

For Socrates, justice is in part heeding the divine voice. In Genesis likewise, justice is obedience to the divine voice.  Simple enough.  But what about justice in a larger context? This isn’t so easy.

When Moses tries to separate quarreling Israelites, they raise a fundamental issue: who made you a ruler and a judge over us?  A mighty good question!  Where does authority come from?

Answer: God!  But also, from the consent of the governed.  Notice how the covenant is an important part of what goes on here.

In part, Hebrews bound by earlier covenant (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob): but now Moses going to be part of establish a new, more detailed covenant with them. But how is Moses going to secure their participation in the covenant?

Chapters 3-4: Moses has internalized the “who are you” question: who am I?  How can I get them to believe me?  *Answer?  You’re the one I send!  Next question: who are you?  I am that I am.  An enigmatic sort of an answer—for now.  But God offers Moses a bit more. How can you tell that it is really God speaking?  Partly historic: I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Partly experience: I’m going to deliver you.  But notice also signs in chapter 4: rod becomes snake, turns back again; hand leprous, turns back again, and if they don’t believe: water becomes blood—and doesn’t turn back again.

Moses has a further objection: it takes more than truth: it takes eloquence.  God says: I’ll be with your mouth: still not enough.  Ok.  I’ll give you Aaron.  Now what about these objections?

Aaron speaks: Moses does signs.  People believe, bow heads, and worship.

But now: a tougher job: to deal with Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Pharaoh: living god.  Notice: a system where government has become god! (familiar enough today!) But god having some problems.  Harsh laws.  Statues boasting of non-existent victories.

Moses is one more threat to Pharaoh’s authority—not going to tolerate it for one second!
(time out: Raamses II’s account of battle of Kadesh in Lichtheim).

Notice also that Moses has to fight a battle he thought he’d already won. 6:9 people won’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.
Conflict with Pharaoh, God’s judgment on Egyptians.  Hardening of Pharaoh’s heart a troubling/puzzling thing.  Who hardens Pharaoh’s heart?

All sorts of important things happening here.  Partly, Pharaoh an excellent example of how difficult it is to give up the notion that we are gods.

Look more closely: 8:10 (frogs everywhere: when do you want to be delivered? Tomorrow!) 8:15 (respite): 8:19: no longer any excuse!  And yet: 9:27 (I have sinned this time) 9:34 (hardened anyway—along with servants—and note that our tendency to evil reinforced by those who similarly profit by it).  But by 10:7, Pharaoh’s servants have changed their minds (read 10:7—how long shall this man be a snare)—but Pharaoh can’t bring himself to full obedience (10:11—let the men go).  And then (10:16) it looks like Pharaoh heart is finally broken….

Anyone who doesn’t identify with this has never struggled against sin….

But Pharaoh perhaps also illustration of something else: personal accountability regardless of outside forces.  Notice our tendency to make excuses for bad behavior: “the devil made me do it.”  God made me do it isn’t enough!

While Moses/God dealing with Pharaoh, also preparing Hebrews.  Passover:

*Why is Passover so important?

Deliverance from unjust system: but now a problem.

Chapter 18: Jethro points to it.  Notes necessity of laws.  But now, how does one get the right kind of laws?  Well, from God.  Chapter 19: sacrifices, Gods appearance Sinai: fire and smoke.

Laws themselves: Chapter 20.

Great many commandments.

Chapter 32: Golden calf.

Chapter 33-34: Moses sees God.