Monday, July 24, 2023

Reading for August 1st

 The Lord reaffirms the mission of Moses and Aaron. 

Read Exodus 6.1-13. In 6.1-7.7: The Lord responds to the complaints of Israel (5.21) and of Moses (5.22-23. God reaffirms the role of Moses and Aaron as leaders of Israel and the driving intention to rescue Israel as God's chosen people from slavery. This section provides an alternative version to chs. 3-4 and is often attributed to the later priestly tradition In 6.1: By a mighty hand refers to Pharaoh's power and authority. In verses 2-3: On the significance of the divine name God Almighty (El Shaddai) literally means "God on the Mountain" which is an appropriate name for this deity who appears on Mount Horeb/Sinai. The name the Lord ('Yahweh") contradicts as alternate tradition that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did know and use the name the Lord (Gen 12.8; 26.22; 32.9). In verse 6: To redeem means to pay a ransom in order to set free and regain possession of a family member or plot of land that has been taken over by another person or owner (Lev 25.25-28, 47-49). With an out stretched arm refers to the extension of God's power against the Egyptians. The promise is literally fulfilled when Moses "stretched out his hand" and God parted the red Sea (14.21) and then allowed the water to rush back upon the Egyptians (14.26-28). In verse 7: For you shall know continues the import theme concerning the purpose of the Exodus out of Egypt:  the knowledge of God by both Egyptians and Israelites. In verse 8: God swore or made a promise to each of the ancestors in Genesis: Abraham (Gen 13.14-15), Isaac (Gen 26. 3), and Jacob (Gen. 13). Comments or Questions..

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