Snoopy Examines Exodus

[Jaebius]

Is God not capable of showing he's God without smiting the Israelites enemies?

Let's consider the broader context of God’s character.

I feel we must recognise that God’s ways are higher than ours. His thoughts are higher than ours. As finite beings, we don't fully grasp God's purposes behind his actions. The sons' smiting was a part of God’s good judgment against a people group that had oppressed His people for centuries. This act was about justice.

Moreover, God’s actions in Egypt showed his Kingship. The plagues were meant to reveal His supremacy over Egypt's false and to get Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. They showcased God’s willingness to act for his people.

Let's remember that God’s just. His judgments are always good. As a Christ-follower, I'm called to trust in God's Kingship, even when I don't fully grasp his ways.

God’s actions in Egypt were part of a bigger story of justice, rescue, and faithfulness. I feel that God’s ways are perfect, and that his judgments are always true and good

 

[GordW]

Is God not capable of showing he's God without smiting the Israelites enemies?

WE have to remember that the story of the Exodus as we have it is only from the Israelite perspective and a Tribal God would most certainly prove that He/SHe/They were the most powerful by smiting the enemies of the tribe. At this point in the Biblical story God is a tribal god, acting as one would expect a tibal god to act.

Think of "My dad is stronger than your dad" on a Divine scale.

 

[Jaebius]

WE have to remember that the story of the Exodus as we have it is only from the Israelite perspective and a Tribal God would most certainly prove that He/SHe/They were the most powerful by smiting the enemies of the tribe. At this point in the Biblical story God is a tribal god, acting as one would expect a tibal god to act.

Think of "My dad is stronger than your dad" on a Divine scale.

Believe that the Bible's God-inspired and shows both his nature and his plan for humanity. Let's recognise that God's actions throughout the Bible are part of his big plan for rescue.

In the Exodus's context, God's show of power was to fulfill his covenant promises to his people and to show his Kingship. God's acts of rescue and judgment highlight his mercy and judgment.

I grasp God as King over all that he has made. I don't feel that he's just a tribal deity. Exodus's story's a testament to God's love and his desire to bring his people into friendship with him. This points the way to the greater rescue found in Christ

 

[paradox3]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 10 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Eighth Plague: Locusts - Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his officials, in order that I may show these signs of mine among them and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what...

www.biblegateway.com

Egypt experiences two more plagues:

Locusts

Darkness

The hardened heart of Pharoah prevails and the people are not allowed to leave.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 10:

This is all getting repetitious, isn't it?

God is relentless in sending the plagues and Pharoah keeps up his resistance.

 

[Jaebius]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 10 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Eighth Plague: Locusts - Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his officials, in order that I may show these signs of mine among them and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what...

www.biblegateway.com

Egypt experiences two more plagues:

Locusts

Darkness

The hardened heart of Pharoah prevails and the people are not allowed to leave.

View the plagues as manifestations of God's commitment to freeing his people. The plagues show God's Kingship over creation and his ability to bring about his purposes.

Pharaoh's hardened heart's a recurring theme in Exodus, showing the consequences of defying God's will.

I believe that these stories carry profound significance. They remind us of God's justice and mercy. The Exodus story points us to the rescue found in Christ, who frees us from sin and leads us into God's light

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 10:

This is all getting repetitious, isn't it?

God is relentless in sending the plagues and Pharoah keeps up his resistance.

Yes, it certainly feels repetitive. I feel this repetition highlights God's persistence and pharaoh's resistance. Each plague's a show of God's power and a call for Pharaoh to recognise God's Kingship

 

[paradox3]

Believe that the Bible's God-inspired and shows both his nature and his plan for humanity. Let's recognise that God's actions throughout the Bible are part of his big plan for rescue.

This makes sense if you read the Old and New Testaments as one continuous narrative.

In the Exodus's context, God's show of power was to fulfill his covenant promises to his people and to show his Kingship.

As a tribal entity, yes.

God's acts of rescue and judgment highlight his mercy and judgment.

Mercy for his chosen people and judgement on their enemies, yes.

I grasp God as King over all that he has made. I don't feel that he's just a tribal deity.

Well, I agree with you of course. But I believe the authors of the Torah saw God as a tribal entity. Or the most important God among gods.

Exodus's story's a testament to God's love and his desire to bring his people into friendship with him.

The chosen people, yes.

This points the way to the greater rescue found in Christ

Personally, I don't read the OT as a foreshadowing of the NT. I think it more likely the authors of the NT looked back to the OT for explanations.

 

[unsafe]

Personally, I don't read the OT as a foreshadowing of the NT. I think it more likely the authors of the NT looked back to the OT for explanations.

LOL ---well that statement takes the cake ----OH MY Land !

OK whatever floats your boat I guess -----but I think for the boat to float like it is suppose to the water comes first ------

but for me your statement is maybe just a tad backwards ------

 

[paradox3]

Did someone say cake?

 

[unsafe]

Did someone say cake?

 

[Jaebius]

View attachment 9676

Even better, Minion cake! Btw, I saw DM4 last week and loved it. Great movie

 

[paradox3]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Warning of the Final Plague - The LORD said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt; afterward he will let you go from here; indeed, when he lets you go, he will drive you away. Tell the people that every man is to ask his neighbor and every woman is to ask her...

www.biblegateway.com

God warns of the final plague. The firstborn of all humans and livestock will die. God predicts that the Israelites will be driven out of the land of Egypt.

But Pharoah still does not let them go.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 11

After a l-o-n-g buildup, we are nearing the climax of the story. Tomorrow we will arrive at the first Passover and the Exodus from Egypt!

 

[Jaebius]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Warning of the Final Plague - The LORD said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt; afterward he will let you go from here; indeed, when he lets you go, he will drive you away. Tell the people that every man is to ask his neighbor and every woman is to ask her...

www.biblegateway.com

God warns of the final plague. The firstborn of all humans and livestock will die. God predicts that the Israelites will be driven out of the land of Egypt.

But Pharoah still does not let them go.

That wacky Pharaoh

 

[paradox3]

That wacky Pharaoh

Yup. Very fickle.

 

[Waterfall]

Echos of Netanyahu calling for the release of the hostages?
We seem to have a one sided narrative in the OT but we also hear that the Egyptians have some respect for the Israelites. We also hear that the Egyptians have no say in Pharaoh's decisions even after the plagues have harmed the nation. And should we remember that Moses was raised as the Pharaoh's brother? I suspect there's more at play here than just what we know from this one sided account.
God takes centre stage and makes all the calls through Moses, as Moses proclaims God will demonstrate his authority as King, and not Pharoah.
Is God also an authoritarian ruler?

 

[paradox3]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 12:1-28 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The First Passover Instituted - The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each...

www.biblegateway.com

In preparation for the final plague (death of all firstborns) God gives detailed instructions for Passover.

An unblemished lamb is to be slaughtered, prepared and eaten ritually. Blood from the lamb is to be placed over the people's doorposts & lintels. In this way, God will know to "pass over" these homes in the plague.

God declares the Festival of Unleavened Bread to be implemented in remembrance. For seven days, there will be no leaven in the Israelites' homes.

Moses directs the people to follow God's instructions.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 12: 1-28

Snoopy wonders why God would need blood on doorposts to identify the Israelites in the land of Egypt.

Interesting that the instructions for the Festival of Unleavened Bread are provided prior to the actual exodus of the people. Snoopy always thought this observance was the result of the Israelites fleeing hastily with no time for the bread to rise.

 

[Jaebius]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 12:1-28 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The First Passover Instituted - The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each...

www.biblegateway.com

In preparation for the final plague (death of all firstborns) God gives detailed instructions for Passover.

An unblemished lamb is to be slaughtered, prepared and eaten ritually. Blood from the lamb is to be placed over the people's doorposts & lintels. In this way, God will know to "pass over" these homes in the plague.

God declares the Festival of Unleavened Bread to be implemented in remembrance. For seven days, there will be no leaven in the Israelites' homes.

Moses directs the people to follow God's instructions.

Find the first Passover's account significant. It's a reminder of God’s Kingship. The instructions given for the Passover lamb and the Festival of Unleavened Bread highlight the importance of obedience in our faith journey.

The unblemished lamb prefigures Christ, who takes away the world's sin. The lamb's blood protected the Israelites from the plague. Christ's blood protects us from eternal death and brings us into a new friendship with God.

The Festival of Unleavened Bread calls us to purity, reminding us to remove sin's “leaven” from our lives. It's a time to reflect on God’s rescue, a time to renew our commitment to live according to His will.

Moses’ direction to follow God’s plan underscores the importance of obeying God, even when we may not fully grasp him. As we remember these events, let's be encouraged to walk faithfully with God, trusting in Him. May we continually seek to honor God, remembering his acts and Christ's sacrifice for our rescue