Exodus Chapter 7 Flashcards

The Israelites and the New Pharaoh

• Israelites settled in the land of Goshen and thrived until a new Pharaoh arose.
• The new king of Egypt was unaware of Joseph's significance and the favor he held with previous rulers, leading to strained relations with Israelites.

Pharaoh's Oppression and Moses' Early Life

• The new Pharaoh targeted the Israelites, framing them as foreigners and threats.
• He enslaved the Israelites as the first step to control.
• A decree was issued to kill every Hebrew baby boy to eliminate potential rebels, ensuring girls married Egyptians.
• Moses, whose name means "Drawn out of the Water," was raised by Pharaoh's daughter yet nursed by his biological mother, connecting him to his Israelite heritage.

Moses' Identity Crisis

• Moses identified with his Hebrew ancestry after witnessing an Egyptian beating a slave; he killed the Egyptian in defense.
• Fleeing in fear after his actions were discovered, he settled in Midian, marrying Zipporah, daughter of Jethro.

Divine Encounter and Commissioning

• At the age of 80, Moses encountered God through the Burning Bush, who proclaimed Himself as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
• God’s cryptic identity statement, “I AM WHO I AM,” signified His eternal presence.
• God often selects the weak for His work, demonstrating that all individuals can serve a purpose.

Israel's Role and Egypt's Refusal

• God intended Israel to be a priestly nation, exemplifying righteousness to other nations.
• Moses demanded Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to worship in the wilderness, but Pharaoh's response was dismissive, indicating ignorance of God and increasing the Israelites' burdens.
• The initial signs and wonders performed by Moses failed to persuade Pharaoh due to the magicians' mimicry.

The Plagues as Judgments

• The plagues served as judgments against Egyptian gods, revealing God’s supremacy.
• The plague of frogs and subsequent afflictions didn't yield a genuine change in Pharaoh’s stance, who was prone to negotiation during times of crisis.

The Passover Event

• God’s final judgment involved slaying every firstborn in Egypt, a judgment aimed at demonstrating His authority over Egypt.
• Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb's blood so the Angel of Death would pass over them during the Passover.
• Unleavened bread was consumed as a symbol of the haste of their exodus.

Manna and Spiritual Symbolism

• Manna, meaning "What-Is-It," was provided by God as sustenance in the desert, paralleling the Eucharist as Jesus claimed to be the spiritual bread of life.
• Israel was tasked with spreading God’s message, demonstrating their designated role as a priestly nation.

The Sinai Covenant

• When God attempted a direct relationship with Israel, fear led them to request Moses as their mediator.
• God's covenant was affirmed at Mt. Sinai where elders witnessed His glory.
• The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, encapsulated moral laws governing the relationship with God and others.

Understanding Natural Law

• The Ten Commandments embody Natural Law, guiding human behavior discernible through reason.
• Moses' prolonged stay on Mt. Sinai resulted in receiving a pattern for constructing the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the written law and manna.

Conclusion of the Chapter

• The journey from oppression through miraculous events to the establishment of laws represents a foundational narrative in Israel's identity.
• The interplay of divine instruction and human response sets the stage for subsequent developments in the Israelite story.