BIBL104 Module 2
What happend at Yam Suph?
"The Red Sea" it was parted so that the children of Israel could cross over on dry land.
Know the authors six initial guidelines for understanding the relationship of the Christian to the OT Law.
1 - The OT law is covenant 2 - The OT is not our Testament 3 - Two kinds of old-covenant stipulations have clearly not been renewed in the new convenant. 4 - Part of the old covenant is renewed in the new covenant 5 - All of the OT law is still the Word of God for us even though it is not still the command of God to us 6 - Only that which is explicitly renewed from the OT law can be considered part of the NT "law of Christ"
Understand the connotations of the word "laws" as it is used in scripture as expressed by the authors.
1- (Plural) 600 plus specific commandments that the Israelites were supposed to keep as evidence of their loyalty to God. (Ex 18:20) 2- (Singular) Referring to those laws collectively (Matt 5:18) 3- (Singular) Referring to the Pentateuch (Gen-Deu) as the "Book of the Law"(Josh 1:8) 4- (Singular) by some writers in NT to refer theologically to the entire OT religious system (1 Cor 9:20) 5(Singular) by some NT personages to refer to the OT law as it was interpreted by the rabbies (Acts10:28)
Know the "Dos and Don'ts" at the end of the chapter.
1. Do see the OT Law as God's fully inspired Word for you Don't see the OT Law as God's direct command to you 2. Do see the OT law as the basis for the old covenant, and therefore for Israel's history. Don't see the OT law as binding on Christians in the new covenant except where specifically renewed 3. Do see God's justice, love and high standards revealed in the OT Law Don't forget to see that God's mercy is made equal to the severity of the standards 4. Do see the OT law as a paradigm - providing examples for the full range of expected behavior Don't see the OT Law as complete. It is not technically comprehensive 5. Do remember that the essence of the law (the 10 Commandments and 2 chief laws) is repeated in the prophets and renewed in the NT. Don't expect the OT law to be cited frequently by the prophets or the NT. 6. Do see the OT law as a generous gift to Israel, bringing much blessing when obeyed Don't see the OT law as a grouping of arbitrary, annoying regulations limiting people's freedom.
Describe the tabernacle.
3 Sections: First Section - courtyard approz 150 by 75 feet (contained inner tent, bronze altar and bronze basin) Second Section - Tent of the Tabernacle 15 by 30 feet (Holy Place and the Lampstand) Third Section - Holy of Holies
Describe Abraham's spiritual odyssey.
Abraham had a hard time trusting God. In spite of God's rich promises concerning the land he left it to get food. He did not trust God to protect him in a foreign land, so he resorted to falsehood. Abraham took Sarah's maid servant as a surrogate mother so they could have children. He placed his personal well-being above that of his wife. Abraham had good times in his spiritual walk. He gave Lot a first choice of land. He saved Lot who had been abducted by King Kedorlaomer. He gave a tithe of the entire bounty to Melchizedek as God's representative. Much more ups and downs to Abraham's spiritual odyssey.
When and where was Abraham born?
Abraham was born in Ur probably in the year of 2166 BCE.
What is the concept of Apodictic Law?
Apodictic Law - Worship and be like their God, Begin with "do" or "do not", Direct Commands telling Israelites what they need to do to fulfill theirpart of the covenant with God. Apodictic laws are what must always be done in all situations by all people.
How did Lamech show false pride?
Arrogance and pride in having killed a young man. He is also comparing himself to Cain saying that he is better than Cain was.
What is the concept of Casuistic Law?
Casuistic Law - Case-by-case Conditional, They describe certain condtions that may prevail in certain types ofsituations involving certain types of people. Give examples of what may be the case or what may happen and what ought to be done if it does. Singles out particular cases that apply only to certain people in some situations.
What were the three main categories of sacrifice, and what were they used for?
Consecratory Offerings - served the function of dedicating a person or thing to God. Expiatory Offerings - Deal with sin. Communal Offerings -celebrations expressing gratitude to God. Peace Offerings, Votive Offerings, Freewill Offerings
What is the significance of Dinah?
Dinah's rape and later marriage proposal from Scheschem eventually led to the killing of all the males in the city. Jacob was not happy with his sons regarding thins.
Why is the dating of Exodus important?
Exodus is the anchor point of the OT both historically and theologically.
What are some implications of humanity's broken relationship with God?
Fear of God, Loss of Spiritual connection, Spiritual death
What are some key arguments for a global flood as opposed to local?
God gave 120 year warning that the flood was coming - with this much warning Noah could have moved to higher ground if it was only going to be local The ark was huge, not a life boat The outcome was devasting, God declared that one of the victims would be birds- if it was local birds could have flown to another place. The flood lasted a year. The rain only lasted 40 days and 40 nights, but the flood lasted for a year The flood covered mountains God promised never to destroy ALL flesh by flood again.
How is the Law based on what God had done?
God gave instruction to the people how to live within the covenant. Obediance meant they would prosper.
Why was Lot wrong in choosing to live in Sodom and Gomorrah?
God told Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed.
What was Abraham's greatest test?
God told Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac.
What was the purpose of the priesthood?
God's representatives on earth to represent the people of the world to God.
What are some implications of humanity's broken relationship with the physical world?
Ground was cursed and Man would have to work hard, exhausting labor to grow the crops needed. The Ground was cursed letting Satan bring futility, slavery, and corruption.
What are some implications of humanity's broken relationship with self?
Guilt, Shame, Self-deceit, and pass the blame. Most psychological problems are grounded in guilt and self-deceit.
What happend to Jacob in Haran, and why did he stay there twenty years?
He fell in love with Rachel. He made an agreement to work for his uncle Laban for 7 years for Rachel's hand hin marriage. Laban tricked him and Jacbo had to agree to work 7 more years to win Rachel. then he worked 6 more years to aquire sheep and goats.
How did Esau lose his birthright and the blessing?
He traded his birhtright for Jacob's lintil soup. Esau lost the blessing when Jacob with the help of his mother, tricked Isaac into giving the birthright to Jacob.
Why is Isaac disappointing to us?
Isaac passes his wife off as his sister just like Abraham did with Sarah.
What does a proper understanding of the OT Law begin with?
It begins with a proper understanding of its intent and purpose with respect to the "original recipients".
What do we know about the world in which Adam first appeared?
It had a temperate climate - no rain (a light mist was adequate to provide the water needed) - Seasons were noted by the stars, we do not see cold and heat associated with the seasons until after the Flood. They had a vegetarian diet. No weeds, thorns or thistles. Adam had a close relationship with God. Adam and Eve had a close relationship with each other. Adam managed only a small portion of the globe.
What is the significance of the Passover event?
It is when the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Israelites that obeyed the instructions of God. Preparing for their freedom. It would become the model for the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah that God would send later.
Why did Cain's sacrifice get rejected?
It was the attitude he had when bringing the sacrifice to God. Cain brought merely an offering while Able brought a sacrifice of his best.
Describe Joseph's reunion with his family.
Jacob blessed Joseph's sons and gave Joseph the birthright (2/3 of the inheritance). Jacob also blessed all the 12 sons including Joseph, prophesying the tribal destinies of the nation.
Why did Joseph not get along with his brothers?
Joseph was his father's favorite which made his brothers jealous. He also had dreams of himself being an authority figure over his brothers and parents which the brothers despised him for those dreams.
What are the promises at the heart of the Abrahamic Covenant?
Land, Nation, and Blessing.
What does it mean to describe the Law as teaching?
Law is the "Torah" which comes from the verb "to teach". The heart of the Torah is the 10 commandments. The purpose of these was to teach the nation how to live within the structure of the covenant. The commandments showed the people how to have proper relationships with God and people.
Be able to compare and contrast the OT Law with other Ancient Near Eastern Law Codes of the time mentioned in the text.
Laws of Eshnunna - an Akkadian law code dated about 1800 BC Law Code of Hammurabi - a Babylonian King who "enacted the law of the land" 1726 BC. Note that the laws provide only for fines as punishment for causing the death of a slave or a commoner, whereas the penalty for casuing the death of a member of nobility is death. Note also that male memebers of the nobility were practically immune from personal punishmentso long as the harm they brought was to a woman. The OT Law represtns a quantum leap ahead ethically over such codes. The prohibition of murder of any kind.
What are some implications of humanity's broken relationship with humankind?
Mankind starts to pass blame on each other seeking to advancing the self. (mother and child relationship) Grief, anguish, vexation, pain, physical pain of childbirth (husband and wife relationship) Competition for power in the relationship, humans became self-seeking and personal advancement at the expense of others - grief and sorrow as a result of failed relationships.
How were the birth and childhood of Moses unique, and how did they prepare him for the special task God had in mind?
Moses' mother hid his existence to protect his life. He was placed in a basket down the river and saved by Pharaoh's daughter. Moses then grew up in the palace and had a great education learning different languages of the Egyptians and Israelites. God protected him and educated him, he also put him in a high rank area of protection (a male Hebrew in the palace).
Was Job an Israelite?
No Job was not an Israelite.
What are the different views on the seven days of creation in Genesis 1:1-2:3? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
One group views it as mythological or even poetry - It is viewed as prescientific attempt to explain the orgin of the world. Followers of this view dismiss the entire account as a poetic way of saying God created the universe, and the "days" are mere literary devices used by the writer to give structure. Another group notes that the Hebrew word for "day" can also mean an extended period of time. Those who follow this view look at the various physical phenomena used to date the universe, taking everything into account they propose a long period of development that would allow God to use various tools, such as evolution to produce the world we have today. The third group states that we should take the account as a straightforward presentation. Those who follow this view observe that the word "day" with a number as used elsewhere in the OT referes only to a litereal day. They argue that all of the methods used to measure the age of the universe are based on various assumptions which may or may not be valid.
What are the implications of the incident between Judah and Tamar?
One of the twins that Tamar bore, Perez, was an ancestor of David. This gives us an understanding as to why God moved Jacob and his family to Egypt, to remove them from the increasing spiritual degration of the country.
How did God show mercy after the Fall?
Physical death did not occur immediately, allowing opportunity for repentance and the beginning process of redemption, God created garments of animal skins for Adam and Eve. Humankind was exhiled from the garden not only as punishment, but to keep the now fallen humans from eating of the tree of life which would seal their fate in Sinful state with no hope for redemption. Promise of a redeemer.
What is the Protevangelium?
Protevangelium is the "first gospel" because these words spoken by God contain the first promise of redemption in the Bible. Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy of the Messiah, the beginning of salvation history with fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Describe the first Passover.
Select a Lamb - must be chosen on the 10th month of Nisan, no defects, could be either a sheep or goat, Each family had to select one unless the family was too small, in that case they would share with the neighbors. No Leftovers. At twilight the family would kill the lamb, save it's blood to paint on the door posts, roast the lamb whole (no broken bones) The people were to eat bitter herbs with the lamb, Each family member had to be fully dressed as ready to travel.
Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
Sodom and Gomorrah had turned rotten and evil.
Why did Lot decide to live in Sodom and Gomorrah?
Sodom and Gomorrah was a beautiful and furtile land until it turned rotten.
What does it mean to say that humankind was created in the image of God?
Somewhat uncertain - but scripture distinctly states that this phrase applies to both male and female. We might note that that humans are spiritual beings - distinguishing them from animals - other traits rational and abstract thinking ability, a will, creativity, verbal communication and a snese of humor.
What is the difference between soul and spirit and why is that important?
Soul - Non-phyiscal part of beings that make them living beings (Mind, Emotions and Will) Spirit - Connection that we have with God (Spiritual beings) The importance of the difference between soul and spirit is to separate humans from animals.
Why is this section of Scripture called the toledot of Terah even though he dies almost at the beginning?
Terah demonstrated disbelief and disobedience by settling in Haran, he fortified his part of the upcoming covenant.
How was the law a benefit to Israel?
The Food Laws- protected them from eating food that were likely to carry disease, or were foolishly uneconomical to raise as food in the particular agrarian context, or foods favored for religious sacrifice. Laws about the Shedding of Blood - One who sins against God does not deserve to live. But also provided a means for escape from death. Unusal Prohibition - This law was designed to forbid the Israelites to engage in fertility cult practices of the Canaanites. Laws giving blessings to those who keep them - god granting blessings to those who kept his laws.
What does it mean to say the Law is a covenant?
The Law that God gave to Moses was of a formal agreement between two parties, God and Israel.
Describe the confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh.
The Nile turned to Blood, Frogs, Gnats, Flies, Cattle died, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, and Death of firstborn.
What were the key holidays of the nation, and what was their significance?
The Sabbath - 7th day a day of rest The Passover - a festival where everyone has to assemble to commemorate the Exodus Pentecost - Thanksgiving for the harvest Tabernacles - Reminder of their time in the wilderness
What is the difference between a birthright and a blessing?
The birthright was the special priviledge of the firstborn whereby he inherited a double portion of the estate. The blessing had to do with a divine objective such as the Promise of a Messiah through the lineage.
What is the significance of the use of the different names of God in Genesis 1 and 2?
The different names of God helps in pointing to a God who is both transcendent and relational. It reflects different roles of God. YHWH-Elohim "the Lord God".
Explain the "paradigm" of the Law that the authors discuss. That is, what is the Law to Israel?
The paradigm of the Law is that the Law to Israel are examples of what it means to be loyal to God.
Why did Jacob go to Haran both the real and cover-up reasons?
The real reason why Jacob went to Haran was to flee the wrath of Esau. The cover-up reason was that Rebekah persuaded Isaac to send Jacob to go there to find another wife.
How are relationships key to the creation account?
The relationships tell us that no help mate could be found until God made woman from man. This relationship between man and woman is important to creation and setting them aside (different) from the rest of creation. This relationship is an introduction to God's relationship to humans.
What is the significance of Joseph in the biblical record?
The significance of Joseph in the biblical record was to save the Israelite's from the famine that was to come over the land. He continued the lineage of the Messiah helping the land survive the famine. God would keep his promise that after 400 years his decendants would return to Canaan.
What is the significance of the Abrahamic covenant, first for the nation of Israel and then for the Bible as a whole?
The significance of the Abrahamic covenant for the nation of Israel is that God promised Israel to be his people. The positive concept of a blessing for Abram and his offspring: those who bless him and his decendants (the Israelites/Jews) will be blessed. Anyone who treats them contemptibly will be put under a curse by God. The significane for the Bible as a whole is the blessing meant that they would be the channel for the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom.
How is the Law a socioeconomic-judicial-political-religious system?
There was a restriction on greed and it provided a safety net for the disadvantaged. There were statues that tied the high priest into legal issues and instructions for worship and national unity.
What is the significance of the two creation accounts? How are they similar, and how are they different?
They are a description of the origin and structure of the universe. Genesis 1 is an introduction, its function is to briefly answer the question, "where did the world come from?" Genesis 2 is a focus on man and his relationship to the rest of creation and his Creator.
What happened when the people got tired of waiting for Moses?
They went to Aaron and asked for "gods" to lead them because they didn't know what had happened to Moses. They built a golden calf and held a celebration that turned into an orgy. Moses became angry with the people and threw the tablets of the law down, breaking them.
What is the term toledot, and why is it important?
Toledot is like a stylistic marker introducing each section, generations, accounts of things. The importance is that it is the opening account, an introduction to the whole book.
How did we arrive at the date of Exodus proposed in this chapter?
We arrived at the date of Exodus according to the examination of the Egyptian data that Thutmoses III was most likely the pharoh during Moses' exile. Thus we have a pharoh ruled long enough to account for the forty-year exile of Moses and whose son meets the criteria we would expect in the pharaoh of the Exodus, including having his oldest son die mysteriously and a daughter of Pharaoh which would match the biblical record.
Understand the importance of Israel's disobedience in "choosing" to not keep the law.
When they chose to not keep the Law it led them to become a people full of greed, capriousness and sexual immorality.
Why did God confuse the language of humankind?
With the communication breakdown, humankind was dispersed to other parts of the world as God desired. They didn't disperse before as God had said so God dispersed them by breaking up their language.
What is the Hebrew word for Day?
Yom