Author Archives: anne

12/13/12 G: 33.15-24 Moses’ Intercession

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Who- Moses, God

Where- Mt.Sinai

When- After the Golden Calf is made

What- Moses is asking God to go with them when they leave Mt. Sinai and to be able to see God. God agrees but says Moses shall not see his face.

Quote:

“If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight. I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people from every people on the face of the earth”(Exod. 33.15-16).

-Moses seems to still be afraid and uncertain of his abilities to lead the Israelites.  He wants God there to continue protecting him.

-Shows how Moses is playing into God’s ego by saying they will only be special and above others if God goes with them.

– Seems to be saying that the Israelites are distinct and special because they worship God and are blessed by him.  Meanwhile, everyone else is ordinary and below them for not worshipping God.

Anne, Shawn, Olivia 2/1/12

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Questions when reading the Bible:

-How many people wrote the Bible?

-What biases did the authors have?

-Where does Noah go in the ark; or does he just float in the same place?

-How do different cultures appreciate the stories?

-Who was the attended audience when it was written?  Was it just for Judaism and it expanded or was it meant for all religions?

-How much is historically accurate and how much is made up?

Genesis 32

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Facts: Jacob is on his way home when he sends messengers ahead of him to tell his brother he is coming and has possessions to offer him.

-The servants come back and tell him Esau is coming with four hundred men.

-Jacob sends the messengers again to Esau again, but this time with livestock so that he will not be killed.

-In the next story Jacob sends his family across a stream and wrestled with a man (God) all night. At daybreak they stop and God says that he is no longer Jacob,but Israel.

Observations: Jacob says that he is his brother’s servant so that his brother won’t kill him even though his father blessed him so that his brother would be his servant.

-Jacob is the only one to have actual physical contact with God.

Ideas: Jacob seems to be repenting to God saying “I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and faithfulness that you have shown your servant” (Gen. 32:10).  He seems to be asking for forgiveness but he really just wants to be saved from his brother.