By: Mira, Sandra, and Natasha
A Word About Revelation
 Believe it or not, God speaks to us on a daily basis, even
though we cannot physically hear His voice.
 The spiritual life is a life in which you gradually learn
to listen to a voice.
 Spiritual life starts by claiming the voice that calls us
the beloved.
Turn To Page 63
Discussion Questions!!
 Why do you think that C.S Lewis has such a hard time
putting this experience into words?
 How does this encounter with God begin to change
Lewis?
Moses
 Moses is most honoured Prophet in the Jewish
tradition.
 He is the leader, the founding father of the Israelites,
the prophet, and the lawgiver.
 Book of Deuteronomy: “Never since has there arisen
a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew
face to face” (34.10).
 Moses was born in Egypt to unnamed parents from the
priestly tribe of Levi.
 Defying the decree of the Egyptian Pharaoh to kill all
boys, his mother placed him in a watertight container
in the Nile River.
 The Pharaoh’s daughter found him and named him
Moses which means “because I drew him out of water”;
in Egyptian, Moses means “is born”.
 Moses had two siblings: Aaron, his older brother, and
Miriam, his sister.
 Moses grew up in the abundance and luxury of the
Pharaoh’s house.
 He identified with his enslaved people; he killed an
Egyptian overseer while trying to protect a Hebrew
slave.
 As a result of this, he flees and ends up in Midian
where he is welcomed into the household of Jethro, a
Midian priest.
 He marries one of his daughters, Zipporah and with
her he has two children: Gershom and Eliezer.
The revelation of the Name of God: The Call of Moses
Chapter 3 of the Book of Exodus: Moses encounters God
while he is keeping sheep for Jethro:
 Moses came to Horeb, the mountain of God; the Angel
of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a
bush.
 When Moses turned aside to see why the bush was not
burning, God calls to him and says, “Moses, Moses!
Come not closer! Remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place on which you are standing is holy
ground.”
 “I am the God of you father, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
 Then the Lord said: “I have observed the misery of my
people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on
account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their
sufferings and I have come down to deliver them from
the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to
a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and
honey.”
 Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to
Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt.”
 God replied, “I will be with you...when you have
brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship
God on this mountain.”
 “I AM WHO I AM, thus you shall say to the Israelites,
‘I AM has sent me to you’.”
Discussion Questions!!
 What would YOU do if you were in Moses’ situation?
 Should we FEAR God?
The Name of God:
 In Hebrew, the name that was given to Moses is ‘ehyeh
‘asher ‘ehjeh, but translated it can be read as “I am who
I am,” I am who is,” “I am who I shall be,” or “I shall be
who I am.”
 Many people understand this name as a promise: I will
show you who I am in my being for you, or I will be with
you tomorrow as I have been up to now.
Moses’ Mission
 Moses’ mission is to speak – the mouth of God.
 God calls Moses to be a prophet – an intermediary.
between God and the people.
 As most prophets do, Moses tried to convince God that
he is the wrong person.
10 Moses
said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never
been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to
your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
11 The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths?
Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes
them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak
and will teach you what to say.”
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone
else.”
14 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What
about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He
is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see
you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will
help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will
speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your
mouthand as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your
hand so you can perform the signs with it.” (Exodus 4. 10-16)
Moses’ Mission Cont’d
 Moses is to tell his people he has been sent by the God of their
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ancestors to bring them to the mountain of the Lord in the
power of the holy name YHWH.
Bringing the people to the holy mountain – test of power
between the Pharaoh and God.
Moses tells his people that going to the mountain would be a
shift of service for them  from slavery under Pharaoh to service
of YHWH.
Initially, the people believe Moses, but after their workload is
increased due to the persistence of Moses and Aaron, the
Hebrews begin to lose hope.
They make an escape and successfully arrive at the mountain of
the Lord.
Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19)
 On the third moon after the Israelites had left Egypt,
they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
 The Lord called Moses to the mountain and said:
"Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the
people of Israel: 4 You have seen what I did to the
Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and
brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will obey
my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own
possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, 6
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the
children of Israel."
Exodus 19 Cont’d
 Moses told the people this and they answered as one:
“Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do”.
 After telling God what the people had said, He told
Moses he would come in the form of a dense cloud.
The Lord told Moses to:
‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and
tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11and prepare for
the third day, because on the third day the LORD will come
down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12You
shall set limits for the people all around, saying, “Be careful
not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any
who touch the mountain shall be put to death. 13No hand
shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with
arrows;*whether animal or human being, they shall not
live.” When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go
up on the mountain.’ 14So Moses went down from the
mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and
they washed their clothes. 15And he said to the people,
‘Prepare for the third day; do not go near a woman.’
Exodus 19 Cont’d
 The morning of the third day there was thunder and
lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain,
and a loud blast of a trumpet.
 Moses brought the people to meet God.
 Moses would speak and God would answer him in
thunder.
‘21Then
the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go down and warn the
people not to break through to the LORD to look; otherwise
many of them will perish. 22Even the priests who approach
the LORD must consecrate themselves or the LORD will break
out against them.’ 23Moses said to the LORD, ‘The people are
not permitted to come up to Mount Sinai; for you yourself
warned us, saying, “Set limits around the mountain and keep
it holy.” ’ 24The LORD said to him, ‘Go down, and come up
bringing Aaron with you; but do not let either the priests or
the people break through to come up to the LORD; otherwise
he will break out against them.’ 25So Moses went down to the
people and told them.’
The Decalogue (Exodus 20)
 Moses went up the mountain and met God face to face.
 When Moses descended the mountain he had the Ten
Words or the Decalogue.
 These laws would help the tribe of Israelites to selfgovern as they made their way to the promised land.
The Ten Commandments
 The Decalogue (Ten Words, and known as the Ten
Commandments) is written in two versions.
 The first is Exodus 20, which is the longer version.
 In the Book of Deuteronomy (5.6-21) there is a shorter version.
 The Ten Commandments have been interpreted traditionally, as
Christians interpret them based on their faith in Jesus Christ.
 The Ten Commandments state what God expects of the people
bound by the covenant.
 The first three contain the words how to honour and love God; the
last seven concern our actions towards others.
 Our relation to others is part of our worship of God.
Reflection Question!!
 How can each of the 10 Commandments guide our
ethical decision making today?
Covenant: Its Origins
Stages of an Ancient Covenant
Parallels drawn to the Mosaic
Covenant
The Preamble:
The name, titles, attributes, and
genealogy.
Moses went up to God, and the Lord
called to him from Mount Sinai.
The Historical Prologue:
Who is involved, the benefits, and
previous relationships.
Prologue recalls the Israelite’s liberation
from Egypt: “You have seen what I did to
the Egyptians”.
The Submission:
Who is dominant, the stronger
individual dictates what they want,
conditions that have to be met.
“Now therefore, if you obey my voice and
keep my covenant…”
The Witnesses:
Who is the witness (divinities).
God is a witness, and Moses witnesses
for the people.
The Blessings and Curses:
What is going to occur if you follow or
break the covenant.
“You shall be my treasured
possession…you shall be for me a priestly
people…”
What’s In A Name?
 Your name is who you are, given to you by an authority figure.
 Moses is given a new name for God; YHWH.
1. The Name “I Am” has consequences for Moses:
 God gives the Name as part of Moses’ mission.
 Moses is being sent to the Israelites and the Pharaoh.
 I “Am” is who will free the Israelites.
 The Name has the power to free Moses and his people.
2.“I Am”, YHWH is a name with great power:
 Slave people become a nation by the power of the Name.
 The nation of Israel is given a vocation.
 The people of Israel are bound to reveal the Name.
 There can never be an Israel without “I Am”.
Continued
3. The Name results in a new way of living:
 The revelation of the Name is an ethical event.
 Most important part of the meeting between God and Moses is
the 10 commandments.
 The reason for keeping these commandments: “I Am” is your
God; the bond between God and the people.
4. The Name is a source of judgment:
 The Name provokes a decision on who ever hears it.
 The Name is not only a blessing, it can also be a curse.
 Example: The Name “I Am” became a curse for Egypt, as it was at
times for Israel when it failed to abide by this covenant.
Life as a Covenant With YHWH
 The book of Exodus tells us how the Israelites came to
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understand themselves as God’s people.
The 10 commandments still describe this covenant we
have with God  we are responsible for others.
The stories of creation, of the patriarchs and matriarchs of
Israel’s faith (Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekkah,
Jacob and Leah and Rachel) and the stories of Israel’s time
in the desert under Moses’ leadership tell us who we are.
Life is about a relationship with God, we are not meant to
be alone or isolated.
The word “covenant” expresses the most solemn and
unbreakable of bonds.
The Covenant With Moses
 Moses encounters God in the burning bush
 God recalls the covenant made with Abraham:
”The
LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my
people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of
their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their
suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the
hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that
land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with
milk and honey.”
The Covenant With Moses Cont’d
 God says this because he remembers the promise
made to Abraham (special care for his descendants)
 This covenant becomes Israel’s identity  when Israel
forgets or ignores this covenant, Israel is lost
 For us, this covenant is renewed in Jesus Christ.
From Moses, the First Prophet, to
Other Prophets
 Israel’s history is filled with prophets- messengers, or spokespersons,
for God.
Call Story- Isaiah 6:1-13
Example
Confrontation With God
A dramatic vision of God in the temple. The Lord sitting on a throne, high and
lofty.
Introductory Speech
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Imparting of a Mission
In Isaiah the mission is preceded by a request: “Whom shall I send, and who will
go for us?’ And Isaiah says, “Here am I; send me.’ And he said, Go and say to this
people”’ (Isaiah 6.8-9).
Objection by the Prophet-to-be
“How long, O Lord?” Objects also because of his unclean lips.
Reassurance by God
Seraph touched Isaiah’s lips: “Now that this has touched your lips , your guilt has
departed and your sin is blotted out.”
The Sign
“Until the cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the
land is utterly desolate; until the Lord sends everyone far away, and vast is the
emptiness in the midst of the land” (Isaiah 6.11).
Continued
Call Story- Jeremiah 1:4-10
Example
Confrontation With God
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.
Introductory Speech
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I
consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1.5).
Imparting of a Mission
The Lord said to Jeremiah, “For you shall go to all whom I send you, and you
shall speak whatever I command you…”
Objection by the Prophet-tobe
Jeremiah offers an objection: “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak,
for I am only a boy” (Jeremiah 1.6).
Reassurance by God
The Lord says, “Do not say, I am only a boy; for you shall go to all to whom I
send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of
them, for I am with you to deliver you”;”I will open your mouth.”
The Sign
“Today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull
down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Continued
Call Story– Ezekiel 1:1- 3:15
Example
Confrontation With God
Ezekiel saw visions of God. The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, and the hand
of the Lord was on him there. It is the scroll that he is told to eat.
Introductory Speech
“O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
Imparting of a Mission
“I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who rebelled
against me...”
Objection by the Prophet-tobe
Ezekiel does not object. He is overwhelmed. His objection is expressed in a
resentful silence.”
Reassurance by God
“O moral, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words.”
The Sign
The spirit lifted Ezekiel up, the glory of the Lord rose from its place. He went
and the people listened to him for seven days.
Prophets of Judgment
 The prophetic call stories are poignant and gripping,
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leaving us stunned.
The prophets are given a devastating mission  usually
involves a message about the destruction of their cities.
The covenant kept Israel together  these prophets are
expressing God’s action to maintain this covenant,
therefore maintaining the well-being of Israel.
The disasters did not leave people to their own devices.
They embraced the covenant more than ever.
If not for the prophets, Israel might not have survived the
crisis caused by the exile.
Sin and Transgression
 Prophets used the word “sin”.
 Sin referred to transgressions.
Role of the Prophets:
 The prophets threaten, order, accuse and warn the people.
 God demands that we be holy as He is holy.
 They informed the people that breaking the commandments affected their
relationship with God and with other individuals.
 It also affected who they were.
 Breaking the commandments breaks their covenant with God.
 Prophets helped the people understand how to live in accordance with God,
even though their actions were not equal to His holiness.
The Human Perspective:
 Sin means understanding that our actions do not measure up to God’s actions.
Discussion Question!!
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How do you think that sending prophets to the people
is God’s way of keeping the covenant relationship
intact?
Morality, Sin, and Transgression
 Prophets outline our relationship with God into things we can do for
others.
 Pride and refusal to think of others is sin and transgression.
 Sin occurs when the commandments are broken.
 The prophets broke down people’s sin into several interactions (stealing,
cheating, being disrespectful).
THE END
Thank You For Listening; You Are All Beautiful!!
GOOD LUCK ON THAT TEST!!!! ;)