REL 101.01
Fall 2012
Study Guide – Exam 2: Moses to Solomon
Some Important Topics from Exodus – 1 Kings:
1. Possible meanings of God’s name (“Yahweh” / “I am who I am”), and how this is developed
in the exodus story
5 meanings:
o existent;emphasis-“I am the one truly is” (Yahweh=he is)
o monotheistic, unique- “I am who I am”
o evasive; holy-ultimately unfathomable
o constant, ever- present
o omnipotence, unlimited power: “I am whoever I want to be”
how this is developed:
o pharaoh did not know Yahweh and increses work
o the people blame Moses, Yahweh reassures with his name
o I am Yahweh you will know that I am Yahweh your god
o Crossing the Red Sea is the “big event”
God’s victory over Egypt
o Double reference to yahweh’s name
2. The development of ‘faith’ in the exodus story
Moses performs 3 signs and people start to Believe
Pharaoh increase their work and people don’t believe (pharaoh never believes)
After crossing the red sea, the people believe in the lord
Israelites experience tough life, lord shows himself after plague, they believe
3. Golden Calf and uncertainty about whom it represents (Exodus 32)
Moses prays on Mt Sinai for six weeks
People start to question the whereabouts of Moses
Uncertainty: does the calf represent a new god or Yahweh
People want to see God, to know He is with them
4. God’s angel, God’s face, God’s back, and his character-name (Exodus 33-34)
God’s Angel: leads the people of Israel
God’s Face: God’s presence
God’s Back: God is seen in hindsight not face to face, hindsight-will see what God
proclaims
Character-name: not his nature but his personal character
5. God’s character-name demonstrated in the ten spies episode (Numbers 13-14)
Merciful, gracious, loving, forgiving to 1000 generations
Mercy and judgment coexists, but long term
Mercy overshadows brief punishment
12 spies sent into promise land, 10 out of 12 say that its occupied by strong king and
impossible to take over; caleb and joushua believe that can accomplish; God punishes
, Israel because of the 10 spies; moses argues-God will help Israel, but this generation will
not see the promise land
6. Basic tone of the stories while traveling in the wilderness (demonstrating God’s character-
name)
There are times when God shows mercy despite complaints
Also times when God punishes disobedience
7. How the Mosaic Covenant develops the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant
Abrahamic: unconditional
Mosaic: conditional
Mosaic are laws based off of Abrahamic
Abrahamic: Mosaic:
Descendants laws show who are true descendants
Israel laws teach people how to enjoy true life in the land
Blessing laws define a holy nation (enables the to bless others)
8. Three aspects to the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant (wedding analogy)
Step 1: covenant is initiated by god
Basic parts: a.) God made the first move “I carried you on eagle’s wings..” b.) the
people must obey God c.) They will be his treasured possession “priestly
kingdom, holy nation.”
Step 2: the covenant is ratified with blood and an oath
People swear to obey God. Moses writes down first laws. Moses offers
sacrifice. People swear to obey God
Step 3: the Sabbath is the sign.
Keyword: holy. The day is holy. God makes them holy
Related to seventh day of creation implies life will result
God gives Moses tablets with 10 commandments
9. Primary reason for differences in dividing the Ten Commandments
Different groups divide them differently.
Jews consider the first to be “I am the Lord your God..”
Are commandments about no other gods/land no idols one law or two
10. To “love the Lord with all your heart” means... (8 aspects in Deuteronomy)
1. You worship one god.
2. You depend on the Lord when facing enemies.
3. You depend on the Lord for basic needs.
4. You attribute prosperity to the Lord.
5. You are not self-righteous.
6. Your devotion is internal expressed externally.
7. You know the Lord’s laws.
8. You are able to do what the Lord requires.
11. How Deuteronomy 26 links worship to concerns for the poor .
Deut 26: The conclusion to a lengthy group of laws- reflects some key issues:
Fall 2012
Study Guide – Exam 2: Moses to Solomon
Some Important Topics from Exodus – 1 Kings:
1. Possible meanings of God’s name (“Yahweh” / “I am who I am”), and how this is developed
in the exodus story
5 meanings:
o existent;emphasis-“I am the one truly is” (Yahweh=he is)
o monotheistic, unique- “I am who I am”
o evasive; holy-ultimately unfathomable
o constant, ever- present
o omnipotence, unlimited power: “I am whoever I want to be”
how this is developed:
o pharaoh did not know Yahweh and increses work
o the people blame Moses, Yahweh reassures with his name
o I am Yahweh you will know that I am Yahweh your god
o Crossing the Red Sea is the “big event”
God’s victory over Egypt
o Double reference to yahweh’s name
2. The development of ‘faith’ in the exodus story
Moses performs 3 signs and people start to Believe
Pharaoh increase their work and people don’t believe (pharaoh never believes)
After crossing the red sea, the people believe in the lord
Israelites experience tough life, lord shows himself after plague, they believe
3. Golden Calf and uncertainty about whom it represents (Exodus 32)
Moses prays on Mt Sinai for six weeks
People start to question the whereabouts of Moses
Uncertainty: does the calf represent a new god or Yahweh
People want to see God, to know He is with them
4. God’s angel, God’s face, God’s back, and his character-name (Exodus 33-34)
God’s Angel: leads the people of Israel
God’s Face: God’s presence
God’s Back: God is seen in hindsight not face to face, hindsight-will see what God
proclaims
Character-name: not his nature but his personal character
5. God’s character-name demonstrated in the ten spies episode (Numbers 13-14)
Merciful, gracious, loving, forgiving to 1000 generations
Mercy and judgment coexists, but long term
Mercy overshadows brief punishment
12 spies sent into promise land, 10 out of 12 say that its occupied by strong king and
impossible to take over; caleb and joushua believe that can accomplish; God punishes
, Israel because of the 10 spies; moses argues-God will help Israel, but this generation will
not see the promise land
6. Basic tone of the stories while traveling in the wilderness (demonstrating God’s character-
name)
There are times when God shows mercy despite complaints
Also times when God punishes disobedience
7. How the Mosaic Covenant develops the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant
Abrahamic: unconditional
Mosaic: conditional
Mosaic are laws based off of Abrahamic
Abrahamic: Mosaic:
Descendants laws show who are true descendants
Israel laws teach people how to enjoy true life in the land
Blessing laws define a holy nation (enables the to bless others)
8. Three aspects to the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant (wedding analogy)
Step 1: covenant is initiated by god
Basic parts: a.) God made the first move “I carried you on eagle’s wings..” b.) the
people must obey God c.) They will be his treasured possession “priestly
kingdom, holy nation.”
Step 2: the covenant is ratified with blood and an oath
People swear to obey God. Moses writes down first laws. Moses offers
sacrifice. People swear to obey God
Step 3: the Sabbath is the sign.
Keyword: holy. The day is holy. God makes them holy
Related to seventh day of creation implies life will result
God gives Moses tablets with 10 commandments
9. Primary reason for differences in dividing the Ten Commandments
Different groups divide them differently.
Jews consider the first to be “I am the Lord your God..”
Are commandments about no other gods/land no idols one law or two
10. To “love the Lord with all your heart” means... (8 aspects in Deuteronomy)
1. You worship one god.
2. You depend on the Lord when facing enemies.
3. You depend on the Lord for basic needs.
4. You attribute prosperity to the Lord.
5. You are not self-righteous.
6. Your devotion is internal expressed externally.
7. You know the Lord’s laws.
8. You are able to do what the Lord requires.
11. How Deuteronomy 26 links worship to concerns for the poor .
Deut 26: The conclusion to a lengthy group of laws- reflects some key issues:
