Christian Living Experience 7: Old Testament - Moses - PDF

MOSES First Part: The Prologue (Exodus 1–2) Exodus picks up where Genesis leaves off: the young nation of Israel is in Egypt (they were invited by Joseph, the one with the famous coat). A new Pharaoh notices the Israelites multiplying, and enslaves them. Afraid of an uprising, he orders that all H...

MOSES First Part: The Prologue (Exodus 1–2) Exodus picks up where Genesis leaves off: the young nation of Israel is in Egypt (they were invited by Joseph, the one with the famous coat). A new Pharaoh notices the Israelites multiplying, and enslaves them. Afraid of an uprising, he orders that all Hebrew sons should be cast into the Nile at birth. But one baby boy escapes this fate, the Hebrew Moses grows up in Pharaoh’s household. When adult Moses kills an abusive Egyptian slave driver, he flees the country. The Call of Moses The story of the calling of Moses is recorded in Exodus 3. The human author, to present the call of Moses used a literary form called Call Narrative. A Call Narrative is a literary form used by human authors to show that a certain person is called by God and given a certain mission. The Call Narrative has five elements: Elements Corresponding Example in the Life of Moses 1. Introduction, always in a form of a There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire within a bush. (Ex. Theophany 3:2) So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of 2. Giving of Mission Egypt. (Ex. 3:10) 3. Objection to the Mission by the But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring Person Called Israelites back to Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11) 4. Response to the Objection by Assurance: And God said, “ I will be with you…” God/ Messenger Usually Sign: “…And this will be the sign that it is I who have sent you: When you have containing an Assurance and a brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Ex. Sign 3:12) Then, Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “ Let me go 5. Acceptance of the Mission back to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them is still alive.” (Ex. 4:18) (Hanep, Biblia) The objection to the mission is a manifestation that the mission is not the will or desire of the person called. It is the will of God. Thus, by accepting it, the person submits all his desires and does the will of God. (Lecture of Fr. Victor Salanga, SJ, Loyola School of Theology) Part 2: God Saves Israel (Exodus 3–15) The people of God in the Old Testament did experience this great oppression after the death of Joseph. With the death of Joseph, the Israelites lost their protector in Egypt. The great service Joseph had rendered to the Egyptians was forgotten as the years passed. The Israelites grew more and wearier of them. God’s Message to Free His People Oppression and hard labor became the fate of Israel in Egypt. So, God sent them a leader that would liberate them from that oppression. Moses returned to Egypt. He told the people how he had encountered God and what God ordered Him to say and do. The people believed Moses. Then, Moses went to the pharaoh and confront him with God’s request to let the Israelites go. The Pharaoh refused. This set the stage for a show of power between the God of Israel and the pharaoh in Egypt. In revenge against God’s request made known to him by Moses, the pharaoh ordered worse treatment of the Israelites. People had to suffer more and turned to Moses and Aaron with their complaints. Moses in turn made their complaints known to God. The Ten Plagues God renewed His commitment to His people. He ordered Moses to go back to the pharaoh and repeat God’s request to let His people go. He gave Moses a sign to prove that he was indeed sent by God. But the pharaoh remained stubborn and refused once more. So, God sent 10 plagues in Egypt to convince the pharaoh to let go of His people. After the 10 plagues, the Israelites were freed by the Egyptians from slavery and started their journey toward the promised land. Part 3: From Slavery to Freedom (Exodus 16-19) The Passover Feast Through Moses, God instructed His people how to prepare and share in this meal. Participation in this meal would be the sign that one belonged to the people of God and thus be spared. The meal had to be taken in readiness to go on a journey, the journey to freedom. This Passover meal has become a memorial feast for generations to come. It would be a reminder of God’s saving act for His people. Permission to Depart (Ex. 12:31 – 36 and Ex. 13: 17 – 14:31) When the last plague struck the Egyptians, they were happy to let the Israelites go. But this was not yet the end of the Israelites’ trials. The pharaoh still changed his mind and pursued them. When the Israelites found themselves caught between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, they started to complain to Moses. But Moses encouraged them to trust in God. And, indeed, God guided them safely through the Red Sea. A column of clouds – another sign to indicate God’s presence – protected them. The Egyptian Army perished when the sea flowed back to its normal depth. Message of the Story of Moses 1. God does not forget His people. He hears the cry of the poor and the oppressed. 2. God chooses unlikely people to be instruments of his saving actions. 3. God gives man the talents needed to carry out the mission he gives. 4. God is more powerful than any man on earth. (refers to the plagues) 5. God uses natural events and elements to protect and save His people. 6. God is a powerful God. He demonstrated His might and power. 7. God saves His people no matter difficult and hopeless their situation may seem. For God, there is always a solution. (The Story of God and His People by Fr. Luc Colla, CICM) PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE Giving preferential option for the poor means we should feel the need to think first of the needs of those who are most vulnerable. The poor and vulnerable have a special place in the kingdom of God. Putting into practice the preferential option for the poor means considering the impact of our own decision and of public policy on the most vulnerable members of society. The poor and the vulnerable the marginalized people, victims of social injustices and violence, and the likes. Making a preferential option for the poor is a way of following the example of Jesus. God’s love embraces all of us and so our preferential option for the poor does not exclude care for anyone in need. It calls all of us to right relationships, and it does this by placing those in greatest need at the center. The experience of the poor and powerless is the test of how just our society really is. That’s why, in offering services, or undertaking advocacy, Catholic organizations demonstrate a preference for the needy, excluded, or devalued members of our society. When we make choices, we consider the impact on those who are poor or pushed to the margins. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS The word "Decalogue" means literally "ten words." God revealed these "ten words" to his people on the holy mountain. They were written "with the finger of God" unlike the other commandments written by Moses. They are pre-eminently the words of God. The Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai are summaries of the things that God wants the people to remember about His relationship with them. They are also summaries of the things that people want for themselves. In observing the commandments, the people manifested their belonging to God and they answered his initiative of love with thanksgiving. The first three commandments teach us to respect God and the last seven teach us to respect the life, property, and reputation of people and our own selves. BAD HABITS/VICES TO TEN COMMANDMENTS VALUES/VITURES TO LIVE BY AVOID 1st Love for God Polytheism and idolatry I, the Lord, am your God, you shall Worship offered to Him alone Superstition not have other Gods besides me. Calls on the Name of God to justify a crime 2nd Uses the holy Name of You shall not take the name of the Respect for God and all that pertains to Him God in any improper way Lord your God in vain. as in blasphemy False oath Respect for sacred institutions View Sunday as a day off from work and school 3rd Keeping sacred traditions and observances when we can sleep in, Remember to keep holy the Lord’s such as worshipping God relax, or “do something Day. Attending mass every Sunday and holy day of fun” than going to obligations Church. Love for one’s parents Not listening to parents Respect for and obedience to duly constituted Not helping out home 4th authorities Disrespect of, and Honor your father and your mother. Taking good care of one’s children and other disobedience to people entrusted to us one’s parents and lawful Promoting the common good of all authorities Respect for life Support causes against Protection from all that threatens or endangers human life 5th life Cause harm to other You shall not kill. Promotion of the physical, affective and people spiritual potentials of every individual Hurting other people Taking care of one’s health and well-being physically or verbally Appreciation and proper use of one’s sexual Sins against chastity 6th 9th faculties based on God’s design Inappropriate behavior You shall not You shall not Purity of mind, words, and in deeds towards the opposite sex commit adultery. covet your Respect for the family institution neighbor’s wife. Making inappropriate Mutual love and faithfulness of husband and jokes wife Respect for what belongs to others and for Cheating 10th public property Plagiarism 7th You shall not Active participation in the promotion of social Taking credit for You shall not covet anything justice something you didn’t do steal. that belongs to Responsible use of all natural resources Taking other’s your neighbor. Sharing and generosity belongings Talk behind someone’s Respect for the truth back 8th Respect for the good reputation of others Maliciously judge You shall not bear false witness Honesty and sincerity someone against your neighbor. Bearing witness to one’s faith Shares false information Telling lies