' ' ' -- _. lo‘+ @515 , ‘ 1.12.0 afgg‘x COLLEGE INTRODUCEION “‘ED‘RARY The greatest; really needs a series of talks to himself Many books written about him: Freud, Buber, Fleg, Neher, Sandmel, Daiches But well blown; therefore let us survey main episodes of life (considering how credible the Bible is), then attempt general asssssment BIOGRAPHY 1. Birth V Did he exist? No extra—biblical evidence, but... Time and place: 13th century Egypt (Ramsss II 1290—1223) I Le. 400 years after Patriarchs l'I‘hird child of Amram and Jochebed, Levite's Name: Biblical pun Ex. 2:10; probably Egyptian for "born" Birth narrative (Ex. 2:1—10) probably legend. Purpose? 2. Childhood Bible silent; of. gap between Ex. 2:10 and 2:11 Education of Egyptian prince But retained Hebrew consciousness — thanks to Jochebed? 3. Earlx Manhood _ Incident of tasktnaster (Ex. 2:11—14); discuss justification, motives, impetuosity Flight to Midian (Ex. 2:15—22) Incident at well Identity of Reuel—Jethro+Hobab of mianites—Kenites 1:16, I Sam. {$133}? (Jud. 4:11, 15(6ff) discuss Burning Bush (Ex. 3:1—15) ; Hore‘b—Sinai—Mountain of God, Bedoin Yahweh worship attested in that region by K 14th cent. Egyptian references; cf. Jochebed and Joshua Missiozj and fourfokd refusal (Ex. 3:11, 3:13, 4:1, 4:10) showing diffidence Tgree miracles (rod-snake, leprous hand, Nile water-blood; Ex. 4:2—9) Purpose of miracles; not magic Partnership with Aaron 4. Exodus Return to Egypt with (Ex. 4:20) or without (EX. 18:2) family Negotiations with Pharaoh Ten Pfagues; discuss C’onssing of "Red" Sea; discuss fi} 5. First Wilderness Period _ Shbrtages, complaints; manna (Ex. 16), water from rock (Ex. 17) Meses the provider, administrator Battles e.g. against Amalekites (Ex. 17) Moses the military comander ‘ Role of Joshua . Appointment of co—leade’rs (Ex. 18) Democracy Incidentally: 2 sons, Gershom (Ex. 2:22) and Eliezer (Ex. 18:4) 6. Sinai Period Decalogue, revealed by God (Ex. 19-20) or through Moses (Dt. 5:5) Other laws edentually written down and deposited in Ark (D‘b. 31:24—26) Moses as lawgiver; authorship of Torah Covenant Ceremony (Ex. 24:3—11) ‘ 40 days' fast (E 3:. 24:18; of. 34:28, Dt. 9:9, 18; cf. I Kings 19:8); discuss Construction of Tabernacle (Ex. 25); Moses as priest consecrayion of priesthood (Ex. 29:1—9) Golden Calf (Ex. 32); shattering of tablets (anger) and punishment of people (3000 slain with hekp of levites) But ready to die'for people; Ex. 32:32 Show me Your glory; Ex. 33:12—23 T‘irteen Attributes; 34:69? h Face shines; Ex. 34:29; discuss , 2. Second Wildernesé Period Cehsus; Num. 1:2ff Apppointment of elders; Hum. 11:11f (but anticipated Ex. 24:9ff) Eldad and Medad; Num.‘ 11:21—35, esp. V. 29; discuss Complaint of Miriam and Aaron; challenge to authority; Num. 12:1—13 Cushite woman = Zipporah; of. Hab. 3:7 He prays for her; Num. 12:13 Rebellion of Kérach; Num. l6 Sin at Kadesh; Num. 20:2—13; cf. Ps. 106:32f; contrast Dt. 1:37, 3:26, 4:21 Discuss Worship of Baal Peor at Shittim, instigated by Moabite and Midianite women; Num. 25 -3- War against Sihon the Aalorite and 0g king of Bashan; Num. 21:4—35, 32:1-42 War against Mdian; Num. 31 Allocation of territories; Num. 32 (cf. Dt. 3:12ff, Joshua 13:15ff) Historicity of Wilderness narratives married by inconsistencies, duplications and obscurities Perhaps several migrations telescoped, only one led by Moses 8. Death Farewell discourses Death Unknown burial place ~ASSESM 1. Human: birth and death, and cannot see God's face (Ex. 33:23) Hyman weaknesses, esp. anger and impatience, but learnt to control Human virtues: (a) compassion (give examples, incl. legislation) (b) justice (ditto) ' (c) vision; discuss (d) courage; of. willingness to die (e) humilbty; of. diffidence and self—effacement arid the tribute in Hum. 12:3 (f) faith 2. Military commander? 3. Pulitical leaderé 4. Miracle worker? 5. Priest? _ 6. Prophet? Not in Pent., except Dt. 34:10, cf. Hos. 12:14. Father of prophets. 7. "Man of God"; Dt. 33:1, J;sh. 14:6, Ps. 90:1, Ezra 3:2, I Chr. 23:14, II Chr. 30:16 Akso frequently "Servant of Eod".