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= = The Book of Exodus; A Beginners Guide

* = refer to glossary
= = = Background =

Author:
The Author is unknown; this story reached the author through tribal people passing on the story orally.

Date written:
The events of Exodus* occurred between 1500- 1250 B.C. The story of Exodus was passed on through oral traditions. It wasn't until hundreds of years after the events of Exodus were they put down in written form

Setting:
The story begins in Egypt and tells of the Israelites journey. God sends them to Canaan where they can be far away from their oppression. Pictured bellow is the possible route taken by the Israelites in the book of exodus.

Context:
The context in which the book of Exodus is written is after the events occurred, retelling the events of the story in 3rd person.

= Summary =

General:
Exodus has 4 main sections

Joseph has died and there is a new Pharaoh. The Pharaoh is afraid of the Israelites numbers and fears they may gain power so he enslaved them and prohibits them from worshiping their god. The Pharaoh orders that all sons that are born to Israelites must be killed. Moses is born, his Hebrew mother to protect him places him in a Papyrus* Basket plastered with Bitumen and pitch* and place him in the reeds of the River. The Pharaoh’s daughter finds Moses and pays for him to be nursed and accepts him as her own. Moses is raises as an Egyptian but the Pharaoh orders his death when hearing Moses has killed an Egyptian in order to save a Hebrew. God hears the Israelites cries and sends Moses back from hiding to save and empower them. Moses, Aaron (refer to main characters) and Israelites elders go to the Pharaoh and tells him of God’s word and demand that he lets their people go. Aaron throws down his staff* which turns into snake to prove he is truly sent from god. The King is not moved and still refuses to release the Israelites So
 * Section 1 and 2 covering chapters 1-18:**
 * God sends ten devastating Plagues:**

1.Water turned to blood; with his staff Moses turns Egypt’s water supply into blood. The Pharaoh is not impressed as he has magicians that can do the same. 2. Frogs: The Pharaoh pleaded to Moses and Aaron if the frogs went then he would let the people go, so God did so, but the Pharaoh did not. 3 Gnats: All the dust of Egypt is turn into Gnats. 4. Flies: 5:Livestock Disease: Any livestock that belonged to an Egyptian died but not one of an Israelites. 6.Boils: On humans and animals. 7. Thunder and Hail: Once again The Pharaoh pleaded to Moses but once the plague has ceased he still would not let the Israelites go. 8. Locust: The Pharaoh pleaded again but as before would not let Moses people go 9. Darkness: For 3 days there was no light. 10. Death of first born: The lord told the Israelites to eat a sacrificed lamb (this was to be the first Passover) and with its blood paint two door post. Any household that had done so was spared their first born.

The Pharaoh finally lets the Israelites go; only to change his mind, getting his army to chase after them. His army is then destroyed as Moses parts the red sea letting the Israelites cross and having the red sea come crashing down on the Pharaohs army. The Israelites people are left wandering through wilderness, god making sure they have enough food and water along their journey.

The Israelites, who are now at Mount Sinai, enter into a covenant* with God. God promises protection, whist the Israelites promise to be faithful to god alone. Promising to worship and follow Gods’ laws and the 10 commandments given (see main messages/themes).
 * Sections 3 and 4 covering chapter 19-40:**

Main characters:
Moses: Born to a Hebrew, raised as an Egyptian by the Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses is chosen by god to lead the Israelites out of Egypt away from slavery. Pharaoh: The King of Egypt Aaron: The lord tells Aaron to meet with Moses and help him with his quest. Aaron becomes Moses speaker and prophet. __Moses family:__ Father in law; Jethro, A priest His wife: Zip.po.rah and their two sons Pharaohs daughter: who saves Moses from the river and adopts him.

Main themes and key messages:
-Genealogy* this story continues on from Joseph and shows a clear chronological link, as the next part of the story. -Miracles: god allows Moses and Aaron to perform miracles with their staff in order to prove they were truly sent by god. There are more miracles performed in the book of exodus than any other book in the Old Testament. -God is Protecting and gives people freedom from oppression. -If you do bad you will be punished (the 10 plagues). -Overcoming weaknesses: Moses doubts his ability to lead his people; because he is not a confident speaker he is able to overcome this with the help of Aaron. -To keep your word: The Pharaoh would plead to Moses that if he stopped a plague he would let his people go, but he did not. So another plague arrived in its place. -God keeps his word in the covenant he made with Moses ancestors and enters a new covenant with Moses and his people, promising to protect the Israelites in return for their faith and loyalty. -Stubbornness: Even though Egypt was falling down around him, the Pharaoh refused to let the people go. -A central theme was Israel’s relationship with god. -Loyalty to god: Because the Israelites are loyal to god they are in return set free and protected. -Taking help from others: this occurs several times within the book when Moses uses the help of Aaron to set his people free. Moses also realises with the help of his father in law that he cannot deal with all his people's problems and appoints officers who help him. -Do not worship a false god: the Israelites worship a calf made out of gold, for this god punishes them. -The Ten Commandments see bellow.

Genres within book:
The story of Moses releasing his people once was told orally, as many people in this time were illiterate and this was the main means of storytelling. A sign of this is the repetition throughout the story. The story of how Moses led his people out of slavery is written in classic story form there is a clear problem (start) conflict (middle) and then resolution (end). The laws god set in Exodus are set out like a rule book, or instruction manual Also Included in Exodus are songs which tell of their victory; songs were also a traditional method of remembering and passing on a story.


 * Video Summary of The Exodus:**

media type="youtube" key="KmcSIkwe-8Q" height="293" width="373"
= Glossary: Important words to understand when reading Exodus =

Exodus: Greek word for departure. Covenant: A contract; in the Bible, an agreement between God and his people. Papyrus Basket: A Papyrus is a root stalk with its stems reaching up to 6 metres high, the basket was made with this plant. These plants were often used to make baskets or paper. Bitumen and pitch: Bitumen is a natural black tarry substance and Pitch is a substance that comes for a root and enabled the basket to be watertight. Moses: Was named Moses because Pharaoh’s daughter drew him out of the water. Moses translated in Egyptian meaning drawn out. Staff': A stick or cane carried as an aid in walking or climbing. Pharaoh: A king of Egypt pre Christianity. Unleavened Bread: bread with no raising agent, flat bread. The consecration of the First born: The Israelites promised their first born to God, as he saved their first born in his 10th plague in Egypt. Genealogy: A study of family and identification of ancestors and their pertinent information (birth death, etc.)

= Bibliography: Useful recourses =

__**Genral**__ [|**http://christianity.about.com/od/oldtestamentbooks/qt/exodusintro.htm**] [|http://www.io.com/~lcowper/resources.html] http://www.crivoice.org/exodusdate.html

__**The Ten Commandments**__
 * []**
 * http://www.bethelcog.org/church/category/the-ten-commandments**

__**Resources used**__ Video: [|**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmcSIkwe-8Q&feature=player_embedded**] Map: []

__**Help with lesson plans**__ [] http://www.dltk-bible.com/exodus/index.htm