Chapter 4
God’s Call Bible contains a number of stories of God calling people and imparting
them to a mission. Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Moses, Peter, Paul.
Covenant formal alliance or agreement between God and humanity. Example of
Biblical covenant is found in the relationship between Abraham and God, where God
promises him he would bless his descendants. Solemn binding agreement between
two parties that spells out the conditions and obligations of each party
Decalogue translates as “Ten Words” known as Ten Commandments. Mosaic
Covenant.
Encounter God reveals himself to humanity. One way the creator encounters
humanity is through the Holy Scripture. i.e. love appears 600 times while mercy
appears only 250.
Passover (Pesach) a Jewish holiday usually celebrated in the spring, it
commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt by the band of
God
Prophet messenger or mouthpiece for God
Revelation people have the ability to know God through God’s works. i.e. God
revealing himself through burning bush, revealing the Ten Commandments,
revealed through Holy Spirit etc.
Theophany used to describe a direct encounter between God and an individual (or
one representing a group which has been recorded in Scripture).
MOSES’ TIME
Preamble
Historical Prologue
Submission
Witnesses
Blessings and Curses
YHWH (I am who I am)
Burning Bush
Ten Commandments
YHWH himself
Blessing: Promise Land (old Jerusalem)
Curse: Jealous God will spite to the next
generation
Covenant
Origins of Covenant treaties dating back to the ancient Hittites, between 2000 and
1200 BCE, Covenants were established between a sovereign nation and a vassal
nation. Covenants exhibit five traits:
1. The Preamble: treaty begins with the name and attributes of sovereign
2. The Historical Prologue: overview of previous relations between the two
nations. Often recounts the past benefits bestowed upon the vassal by the
sovereign.
3. The Submission: outlines what is expected of the vassal. Includes declaration
on the future a relation of the partners and it details certain conditions that
must be met. Focus is on loyalty.
4. Witnesses: every legal document requires a witness. In case of covenant, the
witnesses are the Gods of the two parties or the deified elements of nature.
5. Blessings and Curses: treaty tells what will happen if the vassal remains
faithful or unfaithful to the treaty.
Henri Nouwen
-Priest in Holland
-Influential teacher and spiritual writer
-God is always speaking to us through silence
-Gradually we learn to listen.
C.S. Lewis
- Revelation with God on a bus
-Process was gradual
-Was an atheist
- “I am what I do”
Moses
-Went up to Mt. Sinai and got the Torah
-Raised in house of Pharaoh
-Kills Egyptian overseer and put in the dessert
- Angle of the Lord apparels to him through burning bush
1. Name has consequences for Moses: major life changing event as Moses is
claimed by God to prophet hood (his vocation)
2. YHWH is the name with Power: this can be seen in the results of the
revelation as a enslaved people become a free nation
3. Name results in a new way of living: result in the revelation of the Ten
Commandments.
4. Name is a source of judgment: can be a curse as well
Passover
- God send Angle of death to visit every single household in Egypt to take away
the first born child. Moses warns Hebrew people to put a special sign on the
door so they will not be affected. Angle of death did not spare a single
Egyptian family, even took Pharaohs
The Exodus
- Unleavened bread and bitter herbs used because they didn’t have time to
bake it and had to be ready to leave at any given time the morning after
Passover.
Mt. Sinai (Horeb)
- Pharaoh realized Moses and Israelites had actually left Egypt. He sent his
army after them to bring them back. Pharaoh’s army perused the Israelites
eastwards to Sea of Reeds. Egyptian army engulfed by waters. Moses led his
people to Mt. Sinai
Ten Commandments
 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the
house of bondage.
 You shall have no other gods before me
 You shall not take the name of the Lord and your God in vain
 Observe the sabbath day, keep it holy
 Honor your father and your mother
 You shall not kill
 Neither shall you commit adultery
 Neither shall you steal
 Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor
 You shall not desire anything that is your neighbor's
Moses
Call Story – Stage Explained
Example
Confrontation- Prophet has a theophany with
God. God is driving force of encounter.
Moses and burning bush on Mount Sinai
Introductory Speech- God always speaks first,
makes a self announcement
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
Imparting a Mission- God sends the Prophet
on a mission saying “I send you..”
“ I send you to Pharaoh to free my people from
slavery”
Objection by the Prophet-to-be- Prophet-to-be
feels unworthy or incapable to complete task
Moses feels unworthy
• Unpure (killed an Egyptian overseer)
• Speech impediment
Reassurance by God- God reassures that he
will help them Along the way
Moses is sent with Aaron, Aaron will speak on his
behalf
The Sign- Not always clear God Fulfills his
promises
God tells Moses; “I will take you out of Egypt..”
-freedom out of slavery
Isaiah
Call Story
Example
Confrontation with God
Saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty.
Seraphs in attendance above him.
Introductory Speech
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Imparting of a Mission
God wants Isaiah to lead people and their focus back
to the Covenant. He wants them to stop their ways
because they have fallen off the path.
Objection by the Prophet-to-be
“I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live
among people of unclean lips.”
Reassurance by God
Seraph touched his mouth with coal
The Sign
Cities lie waste within inhabitant
Jeremiah
Call Story
Example
Confrontation with God
God came to Jeremiah
Introductory Speech
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and
before you were born I consecrated you.”
Imparting of a Mission
God says to Jeremiah, “I appointed you a Prophet to
the nations.”
Objection by the Prophet-to-be
Jeremiah says to God, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not
know how to speak. For I am only a boy.”
Reassurance by God
God says, “ Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’, … Do not be
afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says
the Lord.” God puts his hand out and touched his
mouth.
The Sign
“ to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to
overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Ezekiel
Call Story
Example
Confrontation with God
Fifth day of the month. Heaven opened up and fire
and storms appeared, four creators came to a
chariot, throne appears with God.
Introductory Speech
“Oh mortal stand up on your feet and I will speak
with you.”
Imparting of a Mission
“ Oh mortal I am sending you to the people of Israel.
To tell them “Thus the Lord God.”
-Talk to rebellious people
Objection by the Prophet-to-be
His silence was his objection
Reassurance by God
God repeats don’t be afraid of the people. He will
speak Gods words to them. Don’t be afraid of the
rebels I will be with you. God makes him eat the
scroll.
The Sign
Spirit lifted me up and bore me away. Hand of Lord
strong upon me I came to axels at telabib and sat
there among them stunned there for seven days.
Importance of the Covenant in Israel's history and in their relationship with
God
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Covenant kept Israel together
He caused the disasters but helps them by sending Prophets to get back on
track.
God gives us the opportunity to be forgiven and to always find a way back to
the Covenant.
When the people of Israel moved away from the Covenant
 Rabbis would get together at home over dinner and read the Torah
 Since the Temples were destroyed, the Synagogue was born.
Sin
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Based on Israel's understanding is that when standing before God, our
actions do not measure up.
No one can reach Gods level