Shekinah

The Book of Genesis

Section 1

Setting the Background.

The Pentateuch is concerned with the origins of the world and the
origins of the Israelites. It is an extraordinary collection of traditions, laws,
stories and genealogies.
Who was the author?
The claim that it was written by Moses, just does not hold water.
The key to understanding who wrote the Pentateuch is the brilliant work of
the German scholar, Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918) He proposed the now
famous Documentary Theory. This theory,
recognizes four documents in the following sequence J. (10th Cent.) E(9th
Cent.) D Deuteronomist (8th Cent.) and P. Priestly, (Post exilic) These four
major written sources were eventually combined in the post exilic period
under the guiding hand of the P. tradition and probably a redactor (R). 1.
J stands for the Jeovist or Yahwist source. It is the earliest of the sources,
written at the earliest in the 10th century. It is not clear where the term
Yahweh comes from. There is a tradition that Moses became acquainted
with the term when he dwelt among the Midianites, having married Zipporah,
the eldest of the daughters of Jethro, the Midianite priest. He acquainted his
fellow Israelites with the name when he returned to Egypt. From then on the
name took prominence over other terms such as El Shaddai and El Roi, in
Israelite Worship.
The letter E referred to the one God as Elohim and is a tradition that
developed in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 9th Century, following the
breakup of Solomons kingdom in 932 B.C.
D stands for the Deuteronomistic source which appears to have been
written in the 8th Century in the Northern Kingdom prior to the Fall of Samaria
to the Assyrians in 721 B.C. the writings were brought to Judah and
Jerusalem for safekeeping.
P stands for the Priestly tradition which was concerned with temple rituals
and worship. It was written after the return from exile. (535 BC) This author

or school of authors revised and collated all the previous J,E and D, material
and produced the composite known as the Torah,(teachings) the Law of
Moses, or move commonly, the Pentateuch. (Derived from the Greek
Pentateuchos literally five containers)

Beginnings
The book of Genesis is a distillation of ideas gleaned from oral traditions in
Mesopotamia and elsewhere during the exile as well as those stemming from
the age of the Patriarchs through to the Exodus event. When the authors
wanted to describe the origins of the world and mankind, they did not set out
to provide an exact scientific curriculum nor an exact historical sequence.
They presented their understanding of the origins of the world and mankind
in images and stories that the people could relate to.
Why did God create the World?
Chapter 1 of the book of Genesis makes no attempt to answer this question.
It goes straight to the act of creation.
One way of looking at the creation account is to see it as two sets of three
days. In the first three days, God creates the place, the structure of the
earth. In the second three days, God creates the inhabitants to fill it. - -

On the first day, God creates day and night.

On the second day, God creates the sky and the sea.
On the third day, God creates the land and the vegetation.
On the fourth day, God creates the sun to rule the day and the moon
and stars to shine at night.
On the fifth day, God creates the birds and the fish to fill up the sky.
On the sixth day. God creates the beasts of the field, and finally human
beings to live on the land with its vegetation.

Finally on the seventh day, God rests. 2.

This last statement has two important implications. Firstly, during the exile
and even before it, the Jewish people had become lax in their worship of God
and the observance of the Sabbath. This then, was a timely reminder to
get back on the road and leave the seventh day free from unnecessary
work. Secondly, the Sabbath Rest was a rest in God. Not just a break
from the normal routine, but finding a peace and peacefulness that the
world cannot give. It was a form of Union with God.

Does God need to rest?

No. if He did literally down tools even for a fraction of a second, creation
would collapse. It would mean that there was a limitation to His essence. All
things are held in existence by the divine will. It does not cease to operate.
Did creation happen in an instant?
The laws of the Cosmos were set in place to together. e.g. the number of
stars, the cosmic constants such as background radiation; the motion of all
the galaxies the rate of expansion of the universe; the constant of total
energy in the Universe; the constant of total matter in the universe; etc.
All of this was made in an instant out of nothing. The whole universe exhibits
nothing random but is the result of intelligent design.
What about the creation of the plant and animal kingdoms? Were they all
created at once?
The facts indicate stages. The vast reserves of coal in the earths crust and
oil were formed over millions of years. They represent biological forms that
flourished and perished, then were transformed. Jungles do not spring up
over night. Their complex life forms take time to develop into balanced
ecosystems.
Man is a relative late corner. There are no fossils records that show man
living with the dinosaurs. The remains that we have in the skeletal records
indicate progression but as yet no clear distinction of stages.
How did our ancestors account for the variety of colours and languages that
are found in humankind?
They were limited to firsthand experience and also conjecture. They did not
have our present day understanding of Eastern Middle Africa as the point of
origin of the human species and so talked in terms of the lands and people of
the Fertile Crescent. What we call today the Middle East.
They did not adequately find a cause for the variety of skin colour but they
came up with the intriguing story of Babel to satisfy their curiosity on the
origins of different languages. This idea was drawn from legends they
encountered in Mesopotamia.
We need now to return to the first question that was posed. Why did God
create the world?

God is whole and complete, yet within the Divine essence is a desire to
communicate his infinity of riches of gifts and graces.
At the same time God is in Himself conscious that to distribute gifts and
graces, is not to diminish his riches, but to increase them in the only possible
way, by giving an outlet to the inexhaustible fountain of his riches. - - in
order that this plan might proceed with the most beautiful and admirable
sequence - - -was decreed first of all, that the divine word would assume
flesh and become visible. 3.
For this to occur the divine mind conceived by predestination a creature that
befitted the exalted task of being a receptacle for the divine word, before all
ages existed. This was to be the Holy Mother.
In the same instant - - -God determined to create a locality and a abode,
where the Incarnate Word and his mother should converse and dwell. For
them primarily did He create the heaven and earth with its stars and
elements and all that is contained in them. 4.
Prior to the creation of this abode, God brought into existence the heavenly
host of angelic spirits to be for His glory and to assist, honour and reverence,
the incarnate Word and His holy mother. When the image of these two beings
was presented to the angels, most were filled with awe and devotion but
some led by the light bearer were enraged to be subject to a lesser
creation and refused to accept this servitude. This failure on their part, led to
their expulsion from the presence of God.
In the same instant the heavens and earth came into existence and in the
depths of the earth a place of incredible punishment for the disobedient
angels.
There followed by divine decree,
the creation of the whole human race, which was to begin with one man
and woman and propagate itself, until the Virgin and her Son should be born
in predestined order. - - - - the fall of Adam was foreseen and in him that of
all others, except the Queen - - - As a remedy, it was ordained that the most
holy humanity should be capable of suffering. 5.
Then Yahweh God formed man, dust drawn from the clay, and breathed into
his nostrils a breath of life and man became alive with breath. God planted a
garden in the East and there he placed man whom he had created. (Gen.
2:7-8)

The garden contained every tree that was a pleasure to behold and the fruits
good to eat. In the midst of the garden were two special trees whose fruit
was not to be touched The Tree of Life and the Tree of the knowledge of
Good and Evil.
This state called Paradise still existed up to the Resurrection of Jesus.
Yahweh God said, ` It is not good for Man to be alone. I will give him a
helper who will be like him. (Gen. 2:18)
Then Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to come over Man and he fell asleep.
He took one of his ribs and filled its place with flesh. The rib which Yahweh
God had taken from Man he formed into a woman. (Gen. 2:21-22)
God in His infinite wisdom,
Had also concealed the creation of Adam and the formation of Eve, in order
that Lucifer might from the beginning labour under his ignorance concerning
the Mystery and the time of the Incarnation. 6.
We are told by Mother Agreda that Adam was created a perfect mature man
of 33 years. He and his descendants were destined for eternal happiness.
Their primary purpose, as an expression of divine love, was to prepare an
environment for the second Person of the Blessed Trinity to take human form.
A secondary purpose was that.
Man was created to fill the choirs of the fallen angels. 7.
God graced man and woman with abundant gifts and a beauty beyond our
comprehension. He gave them also the gift of immortality. The pair were at
peace with the animals of the earth and lived in harmony with their
environment.
The Fall
Eve was interested with the earth and created things. Adam was more
contemplative and absorbed in God. Among the animals was one that
followed Eve more closely than the others.
It was slender and glossy, and it looked as if it had no bones. It walked
upright on its short hind feet, its pointed tail trailing on the ground. Near the
head, which was round with a face exceedingly shrewd, it had little short
paws and its wily tongue was ever in motion. The colour of the neck, breast
and under part of the body was pale yellow, and down the back it was a

mottled brown, very much the same as an eel. - - -She took great delight in
it. 8.
The book of Genesis describes the devil as a serpent. There is something
remiss here. One of the punishments to befall the Serpent was to,
Crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. (Gen. 3:14)
He was already doing that if he was a serpent, so there is some credence to
the description of Satan as a reptile as depicted by Anne Catherine
Emmerich. Where both accounts do agree however is that he was Crafty.
Eve, with her natural curiosity, passed near the tree of Knowledge of Good
and Evil.
The tree was scaly like a palm tree - - - the leaves were very large and
broad - - Hidden in the forepart of the leaves, hung the fruit clustering in
fives - - -the yellow fruit had something like the shape of an apple but more
of the nature of a pear or fig. 9.
The reptile passed quickly to the forbidden tree, clung to the tree with its
hind feet and placing its head close to Eves informed her, if she ate this fruit,
Your eyes will be opened and you will be like Gods, knowing good and evil.
(Gen. 3:5)
Eve fell for the trick.
The woman saw that the fruit was good to eat, and pleasant to the eyes and
ideal for gaining knowledge. She took its fruit and ate it and gave some to
her husband who was with her. He ate it. Then their eyes were opened and
both of them knew they were naked. (Gen. 3:6-7)
Up until the act of disobedience, the command to multiply and fill the earth
and subdue it. (Gen. 1:28) was a puzzle to Adam and Eve. They did not
understand the procedure. Each was in perfect control of their emotions and
passions. They were naked, but felt no instinctive need to procreate. Having
eaten the forbidden fruit they instantly loss all the blessings they had been
endowed with. Their eyes were opened,
And both of them knew they were naked. (Gen. 3:7)
They now knew that physically they were complimentary and unruly passions
began to control them.

God knew what had happened. He came looking for them but they hid from
him. Then the first blame game started.
`The woman you put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it! God
said to the woman,` What have you done?` The woman said, `The serpent
deceived me and I ate. (Gen. 3:12-13)
The Aftermath
This had dramatic repercussions. Adam was the progenitor of humankind.
From now on his descendants would be blighted with a distressing inward
battle of good versus evil. Gone was the balance of mind and the control of
passions and emotions. Gone was the companionship of the animals; gone
was the perfection of good health; gone was the natural fruitfulness of the
earth; gone above all was his unlimited days.
Sin entered the world through one man and through sin, death, and later on
death spread to all humankind, because all sinned. (Rom. 5:12)
We may argue the apparent injustice of a penalty imposed upon us all,
through the disobedience of one man. None of us can fathom why we should
bear the punishment for something we did not do.
But this is the judgement of God and His ways are inscrutable. St. Thomas
Aquinas calls the
Fall of our first parents as a happy fault.
Without it, the Word of God would not have become flesh. No redemption
would have taken place and the joys of eternal life in heaven would not be
ours.
Before the fall, the process of child birth was to involve the minimum of
discomfort or perhaps none at all. While a severe penalty of necessary toil
was placed upon Adam and his male descendants, the penalty imposed upon
Eve was
You will give birth to your children in pain. (Gen. 3:16)
Anyone who has heard the cries and groans of a mother giving birth, would
realize that this was no idle threat. In fact, in some cases, the delivery of a
child can lead to maternal death. It is that serious an event.
On top of that,

You will be dependent on your husband and he will Lord it over you. (Gen.
3:16)
In many cultures, tribal and Moslem, the restrictions placed on women are
simply unchristian. Men and women are equal before God but the reality
does not portray such an equality.
Adam and Eve could not remain in Paradise. God cast them out.
And after having driven the man out, God posted cherubim and a flaming
word that kept turning at the East of the garden of Eden to guard the way to
the tree of Life. (Gen. 3:24)
They were ashamed of each other. Every step they took led them
downward. - - -they carried gloom wherever they went; the plants lost their
bright colours and turned gray, and the animals fled before them. 10.
It was to the region of Mount Olivet that I saw Adam and Eve come. - - -I
saw Adam and Eve living and doing penance on that part of Mount Olivet
upon which Jesus sweated blood. 11.
Nearby was the hill of the crucifixion. It was pock marked with caves.
Tradition has it, that Adam was buried there after a long life of toil and
penance. Hence the term Golgotha or the place of the skull, of Adam. No
archaeological proof for this tradition has ever been put forward.
Cain and Abel
The first child to be born of our first Parents was Cain. He was followed by a
second son, Abel.
Abel was a shepherd and kept flocks, and Cain tilled the soil. (Gen. 4:2)
God taught Adam how to offer sacrifices. He became the first priest. Cain and
Abel were also inducted into offering sacrifices to God.
Both sons made offerings to God. Cain burnt fruits of the soil. Abel offered
the first born of his flock.
Yahweh was well pleased with Abel and his offering, but towards Cain and
his offering he showed no pleasure. (Gen. 4:4-5)
Abels offering was the choice part and Cains was not, but the emphasis
falls on Yahwehs inscrutable acceptance of one and not the other.

Cain became angry and plotted his revenge on Abel. On the pretense of
going to the fields, Abel is lured away and presumably clubbed to death.
The tendency to violence has been embedded in the human heart as a
consequence of the fall.
Gods judgement is swift. Cain shall wander the earth for the rest of his days
and the soil he tills will be unproductive. Cain is afraid for his life. Who from?
We are not told. God promises him protection and gives him a Mark
indicating to others that there is to be no blood vengeance.
The author of Genesis does not explain what this mark is. Nor does he
explain where Cains wife suddenly comes from. Several generations of
descendants are listed. One of them is Lamech. He has three sons to whom
is attributed the beginnings of culture. One son Jubal,
was the father of all those who play the lyre and flute, as for Zilah, Lamechs
second wife, she gave birth to Tubal-Cain, forger of all tools in bronze and
iron. (Gen. 4:21-22)
Where do their wives come from? Again, silence. In many of the lists of the
descendants of Adam, male names predominate. But it is reasonable to
expect a 50/50 ratio between male and female births.
Adam lived for eight hundred years and had other sons and daughters.
(Gen. 5:4)
The same is said of Adams third son, Seth.
he had other sons and daughters. (Gen. 5:6)
These words are repeated for, Enoshs progeny, Kinans progeny, Mahalalels
progeny, Methuselahs progeny and so on. (Gen. 5)
So there was no shortage of females. One would have to wonder though, was
there a genetic problem of inbreeding. As Christians we are obligated to
believe in one set of first parents and hence one defined genetic pool. The
concept of polygenesis i.e. several sets of parents, which would seem
scientifically acceptable, on the religious and scriptural level could not be
tolerated.
Another conundrum is raised by Genesis 6:1-4.
The Sons of God marrying the daughters of men.

Some cultures e.g. the Greek culture, do have such unions in their myths and
legends. The progeny of such unions for the Israelites was the creation of a
race of giants. (v.5) This was the writers attempt to explain that the pre
conquest peoples of Canaan were bigger than themselves (the Israelites).
Nobody today attributes the concept of Divine beings coupling with female
humans as a fact. It is essentially a fable.
We must not lose sight of the fact that the coming of sin into the world did
not mean that there would be no reconciliation between God and mankind.
When jdugement was passed on all the offenders in the garden of Eden,
there was a prophecy hidden in the penalty imposed on Satan.
I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her
offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel. (Gen.3:15)
The writer of Genesis does not elaborate on this very important text. There is
no attempt to explain either the Woman or He. It seems to have been
glossed over by the Jews even to this day. Christians however are blessed
with the knowledge that the woman is the Mother of God and He is the
savior who would foil the work of Satan and restore mankind to the
relationship of Sons and daughters of the great king, their creator.
The Flood
Yahweh saw how great was the wickedness of man on the earth and that
evil was always the only thought in his heart. (Gen.6:5)
This is a damming indictment on our ancestors. Whatever happened to
Conscience, that ability inherent in mans intellect to judge between right
and wrong. Were there no just people on the earth? Apparently not.
Yahweh regretted having created man on the earth and his heart grieved.
He said, I will destroy man whom I created and blot him out from the face of
the earth, as well as the beasts, creeping creatures and birds, for I am sorry I
made them. (Gen.6:7)
Nothing can be said in mans defense. His depth of depravity meant also that
the animals must perish.
In the midst of overwhelming sinfulness there was one beacon of light- Noah.
Noah was a just man, blameless among the people of his time, a man who
walked with God. (Gen.6:9)

God had determined to use nature to wipe out evil from the earth. He will
send continuous rain and flood the whole surface of the earth.
He warns Noah of his intentions and orders Noah to build a very large vessel
that will be able to contain representatives of the animal kingdom as well as
the members of his own family. These, God will preserve and use them to
regenerate life on the earth.
Yahweh directs Noahs construction by giving specific instructions and
specifications. It would be a fair assumption that Noah was familiar with boat
building and had the necessary skills to proceed. The vessel was to be called
an Ark. It was to be a haven of refuge for seven pairs of clean animals and
two kinds of all others.
Ones mind boggles at the image of lanky giraffes, monstrous elephants and
near sighted Rhinos, rumbling up a gang plank. It would take a fleet of arks
to accommodate the species we know today. Suffice it to say that the
animals involved were probably locally available and partly domesticated. A
picture of Noahs family dragging lions, tigers and leopards into a limited
area with other animals who were their natural food, seems unrealistic. This
begs the question, how extensive was this world wide flood?
The water rose more and more above the earth and all the high mountains
above the earth were submerged. (Gen.7:19)
What are we to make of this extraordinary statement? First of all, the point of
the story is the eradication of evil from the world. The second point is that
such a flood is scientifically improbable. Where did this enormous amount of
rain come from and when the waters resided, where did they go? We are left
understand that the flood was regional in nature. Extensive but contained.
When archaeologists found ancient Babylonians tablets that told a familiar
sounding flood story - - -Here as part of the Epic of Gilgamesh was a flood
story many centuries older than the oldest bible manuscripts - - -right away
some people jumped to the conclusion that the story of Noah must be
derived from this older flood story. 13.
While there are similarities between the two stories e.g. Both have a hero
saving animals and his family using a boat in a great flood; both have the
hero sending out three birds to determine if land is exposed; both have
sacrifice being offered after deliverance, there is a fundamental difference
between the motive of the flood in the Epic of Gilgamish and that of Noah. In
the epic, the flood is brought about by the gods being angered by the noise

of the numerous humans, whereas the motive in Noahs case is the anger of
God, generated by the moral depravity of the human race.
There is a possibility that the Noah flood story and the Epic are both
derived from a similar much earlier oral tradition.
As to the Region devastated by a flood caused by 150 days of continuous
rain, there is geological evidence to show that such floods have affected the
area known as Mesopotamia in millennia past. A second possibility is the
destruction of a very advanced civilization on the shores of the Black Sea.
Two marine archaeologists point out that the Black Sea was an isolated
lake until a few thousand years ago - - -When the Mediterranean Sea broke
through (perhaps during a great storm), the water came in so suddenly and
violently that all the towns and villages were underwater in a few days. - - - surveys have found whole towns on the floor of the Black Sea. 14.
Restoration
When dry land appeared,
Noah built an altar to Yahweh and taking some of all the clean animals and
all the clean birds, he offered burnt offerings on it. Yahweh smelled the
pleasing aroma and said to himself. `Never again will I curse the earth
because of man, even though his heart is set on evil from childhood. Never
again will I strike down every living creature as I have done. (Gen.8:20-21)
God made a Covenant with Noah. This followed the original covenant with
Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. By sin, man broke this first covenant. A
covenant is a sacred commitment undertaken by two parties. The covenant
with Noah was a new beginning for humankind.
God blessed Noah and his sons and he said to them, `Be fruitful multiply
and fill the earth. (Gen.9:1)
This was a command given in the first covenant with Adam and Eve.
But there was a lot more.
When before, the people ate fruits and vegetables, now they were free to eat
meat. The one condition was that the carcass of any animal slain for food
was to be drained of blood.
Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is its blood. (Gen.9:4)

The Hebrews understood from this prescription that the soul of a human and
the soul of an animal was contained in its blood. From a medical point of
view this was close to the mark. The loss of blood does literally lead to the
loss of life.
As a sign that he would not again destroy the world by flood, Yahweh told
Noah that
I set my bow in the clouds and it will be a sign of the covenant between me
and the earth. (Gen.9:13)
Does this indicate that there were no rainbows before this covenant? No. It is
however the authors way of remembering the covenant between man and
God. It is a reality familiar to Hebrews. When a storm passes, a rainbow is
often seen in the clouds. The light is refracted to display the colours
contained in visible light rays. The author of Genesis has given the rainbow
a religious symbolic connotation.
The Curse on Canaan
The Sons of Noah who came out of the Ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Ham is the ancestor of Canaan. These were Noahs three sons and from them
the whole earth was repeopled. (Gen.9:18)
Noah and his family start from the beginning. Noah was the first tiller of the
soil. He planted a vineyard and processed the grapes, being the first to taste
wine. The strong drink inebriated him. He lay uncovered in his tent. Ham
found his father in this state and called his brothers. Shem and Japheth
respected their father and walking backwards, covered him.
Noah woke from his stupor and heard that his youngest son had not
respected him. He was incensed and placed a curse on the son of HamCanaan. No explanation is given why Canaan should bear the penalty for his
father. It is the writers way of explaining why the descendants of Canaan,
who populated the promised land, became a degenerate people given much
to idolatry. He was according to the writer. The father of many of the tribes,
hostile to the Jews.
the Hittites, and the Jebusites, the Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites,
Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, Hamathities. (Gen.10:15-18)
It should be recalled that the Jebusites were the people who founded and
occupied Jerusalem. It was David who vanquished them and made their city

his capital. The Amorites were a continual thorn in the side of the Jews, but
the Hittites were trading partners with Solomon and mercenaries in Davids
army. In fact it was Davids adulterous liason with a Hittite Captains wife that
cost him a brutal war with his son Absolom.
Shem was the eldest of Noahs three sons. He had several sons, grandsons
and great grandsons. One great grandson, Eber was the ancestor of the
Hebrews. Eventually his descendants would settle in lower Mesopotamia.
The Tower of Babel
the whole world had one language and a common speech. (Gen.11:1)
A great migration of Noahs descendants is recorded in Genesis II. They
move to the plain of Shinar in present day Iraq. One of Hams sons, Cush,
became the father of Nimrod.
who was the first great ruler on earth. He was a mighty hunter in the eyes
of Yahweh - - -The beginning of his empire was Babel - - - (Gen.10:8-10)
In the center of the city, Noahs descendants, led by the offspring of Ham,
full of pride, wished to build a tower reaching to the heavens.
Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top reaching heaven,
so that we may become a great people and not be scattered over the face of
the earth. (Gen. 11:4)
Shems descendants refused to take part in this enterprise. It smacked of
idolatry, while they wished to remain faithful to the God Yahweh, who had
made a covenant with Noah.
In their arrogance, these people who were the descendants of Ham and
Japheth, proceeded to build a great tower in the center of the great city of
Babel. God was displeased with this display of hubris, so he intervened and
confused their common language. They were unable to communicate with
one another, with the end result being , that the tower was abandoned.
The people divided into language groups and moved away from the city.
Babel remained as the greatest city in Southern Mesopotamia. In the 7th and
6th Century B.C. It became the dominant political and military force in the
Middle East, culminating in the Babylonian Exile for the people of Jerusalem.
Many scholars believe that the story of the Tower of Babel refers to the huge
ziggurat (Temple) that was built in Babylon. 15.

This quaint story is to explain how the peoples of the earth spoke so many
different languages. It seems to have been based on oral traditions perhaps
passed on to the Judeans during the Exile.(6th Cent.) Scientists and linguistic
experts have a different origin for the plenitude of languages. While they can
point to an Indo-European origin of the most ancient language in the
mountainous area of Northern Iran and Northern India, derivatives of this
language developed over many millennia due to differences in geography
and give us the host of distinctly different tongues found especially in Europe
and Asia.

Section 2

The Patriarchs

Abraham
Immediately following the account of the Tower of Babel incident, the
writer lists the descendents of Noahs son Shem. This is significant, because
among Shems descendents would be the first of the patriarchs, and then the
line of the Jewish people.
The descendents of Shem refused to be involved in the idolatrous Tower of
Babels construction. They separated from their relatives and migrated south
to the Region of the Chaldees, establishing themselves around the important
city of Ur. It was the middle Bronze Age. (c.2300 BC to 1550 BC) Around 2200
BC, Terah, the Father of Abram, took his son and daughter in law Sarai and
Lot, Abrahams nephew, away from Ur and North to the city of Haran. It was
a journey of perhaps 1800 kms.
It is difficult to put a time frame to this migration. The same applies to any of
the events in Genesis 1-11. Terah and his descendents tended to be nomads,
looking after flocks and dwelling in tents.
In approx. 2120 BC. A dramatic event happened. Yahweh appeared to Abram
who was about 75 years old. Yahweh had not forgotten his promise to Noah.
Yahweh said to Abram, ` Leave your country, your family and your fathers
house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless
you and make your name great. (Gen.12:1-2)
Despite Abrams age, he responded immediately, leaving Haran and taking
with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and journeying to the land of
Canaan.

When he arrived at Shechem, Yahweh appeared to him a second time and

said to him,
To your descendents I will give this land. (Gen.12:7)
There at Shechem, Abram built an altar and offered sacrifice to Yahweh.
Abram journeyed to Bethel and down to the Negev.
there was famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to stay there
for some time, for the famine was severe in the land. (Gen.12:10)
When Abram reached Egypt, Pharoah was entranced with Abrams wife Sarai
and took her to his palace. Abram lied to Pharoah, telling him that Sarai was
his sister. But Yahweh was not pleased with the situation and
inflicted severe plagues on Pharoah and his household because of Sarai.
(Gen.12:17)
When Pharoah found out that he had been duped by Abram, he was angry
and sent him away with Sarai and all the possessions Abram had been given
initially by the Pharoah, probably in payment for Sarai.
Their going to Egypt and their encounter with Pharoah foreshadow their
descendents experience in Egypt, suggesting constant divine protection in
which Israel later must learn to trust. 16.
At this stage Sarai was quite old. So she must have exhibited considerable
beauty to have attracted Pharoah. Abram probably lied to save his own life.
Abram passed through the Negev and went back to Bethel, to the North of
the Dead Sea. Here a quarrel arose between the herdsmen of Abrams flock
and those of Lot. Abram wished to solve the dissension between the
herdsmen peacefully. He said to Lot, Let us part company. (Gen.13:9) Lot
agreed, and
chose for himself all the Jordan Valley and journeyed eastward. In this way
they separated from each other. Abram settled in the country of Canaan
while Lot lived among the towns of the plain and moved his tents as far as
Sodom. (Gen.13:11-12)
A third time Yahweh appeared to Abram. He said,
Raise your eyes and look from where you are, towards the North, the south,
the east and the west; all the land you see I will give to you and your

descendents forever. I will make your descendents as the dust of the earth - - So Abram moved his Hebron. There he built an altar to Yahweh. (Gen.13:14-18)
In the valley of Siddim (that is the Salt Sea) a battle took place between two
groups of minor kings. It was a case of 4 against 5. The group of 4 prevailed,
then turned their attention to subduing the Amalakites, Amorties, the kings
of Sodom and Gomorrah and three other minor kings.
In the process of the victors sacking Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot, the Nephew
of Abram, was captured along with all his possessions.
As soon as Abram heard the news of Lots capture, he set off in pursuit of the
attackers and surprised them in a night battle. Abram rescued Lot and all his
possessions.

Melchizadek
On his return, Abram encountered the king of Salem, Melchizedek. The letter
to the Hebrews has this to say about Melchezedek,
Let us note that the name Melchizedek means `King of Justice and that king
of Salem means `King of Peace. There is no mention of father, mother or
genealogy, nothing is said about the beginning or the end of his life. In this
he is the figure of the Son of God, the priest who remains forever. (Heb.7:23)
In one of her visions, Anne Catherine Emmerich describes Melchizadek.
I have always seen him as being of another nature, as an angel , as one
sent by God. - - -I never saw him eating, drinking or sleeping and never did
the thought occur to me that he was a mortal. - - -I have seen Melchizadek
appearing here and there, interposing and legislating the affairs of nations - - the wicked humbled themselves in his presence.
At another place A.C.E describes the activities of Melchizadek: - laying out
and preparing districts; boring wells; opening fountains; measuring off the
pool of Bethsaida; Laying the foundation stone for the Temple; guiding
nations and families. All of these activities took place in the Holy Land.

We do not have to believe all that Anne Catherine Emmerich describes.

However, what does come across to a reader of her visions is that
Melchizadek seems to have been sent by God to help the Ancestors of the
chosen people. He seems very much to act as the hand of God, in the form of
a counselor and guide.
Then Melchizadek, king of Salem, brought bread and wine; he was a priest
of God most High, and he blessed Abram saying, Blessed be Abram by God
most High, maker of heaven and earth! - - -And Abram gave him a tenth part
of everything. (Gen.14:18-20)
This passage implies,
that Melchizadek outranks Abram, first because he blessed the patriarch,
and second, because he received a tithe from the patriarch just as a priest
receives offerings from the laity - - -. The law to take tithes is a reference to
Num.18:21-29. The tribe of Levi was given no land inheritance in Israel but
was supported by the lay tribes in return for their ministerial service. 18.
There are several significant aspects of Abrams encounter with Melchizadek
that need to be highlighted. Firstly, this is the first time that a priest/king is
mentioned in the bible. The priest is designated as a priest of God most
High. He comes before the line of Levitical priests whose office lasted only
until death. Here Melchizedek prefigures the eternal priesthood of Christ.
Priests of the New Covenant, from the apostles onwards, are marked forever
with the mark of Holy Orders. The ritual for their ordination includes,
You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizadek. (Ps.110:4)
Secondly, for the first time we have an offering that is not the sacrifice of an
animal. It is an offering of bread and wine and prefigures the offering at the
Last Supper, 2000 years later.
Thirdly, after the encounter with Abram, no more is heard of Melchizadek.
Perhaps his mission is complete.
The Promise of Land
Then came the astonishing covenant that God made with Abram.
Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be
like that. Abram believed Yahweh who, because of this, held Abram to be an
upright man. (Gen.15:5-6)

Gods promise was hard to believe. Abram had no children. His wife Sarai
was barren. Yet he believed. But he wanted some assurance that Yahweh
would give him this land as a possession. In those days a serious oath was
sealed with an animal sacrifice. So Yahweh told Abram,
Bring me a three year old heifer, a three year old goat, a three year old ram,
a turtle dove and a young pigeon. Abram brought all these animals, cut them
in two and laid each half facing its its other half, but he did not cut the birds
in half. (Gen.15:9-10) Abram guarded the sacrifices all day. As the sun was
setting Yahweh appeared again to Abram and told him.
Know for certain that your descendants will be exiles in a land that is not
theirs. They will be slaves there, oppressed for four hundred years. But I will
judge the nation that oppresses them, and after that, they will not leave
empty handed. (Gen.15:13-14)
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot and a
flaming torch passed between the halves of the victims. On that day Yahweh
made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this
country from the river of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.
(Gen.15:17-18)
This is an extraordinary manifestation by Yahweh. He seals his promise with
this manifestation similar to the Shekinah. He only reveals his presence to
those he selects according to his providence. Both parties pass through the
divided sacrifices. The Covenant oath is a solemn one. Such a ritual is not
unknown for that region. The prophet Jeremiah reminds the King of Judah,
Zedekiah, that he had made a treaty to free all Hebrew slaves held by the
people of Jerusalem. The people reneged on this treaty. To fail the obligations
of a solemn treaty (Jer.34:8-11) would bring serious consequences. In this
case, those who walked between the pieces of the calf and broke the terms
of the treaty, would be handed over to their enemies. (Jer.34:18-22) and so it
came to pass that Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were mercilessly sacked
by the Babylonians.
Abram then, has received an irrevocable confirmation of the promise,
Yahweh has made with him concerning the land for his descendents. One
wonders at the extent of the promise. It is a vast tract of land. Perhaps
during the time David and Solomon, the occupation of this area was
achieved. For much of the history of the Israelites, their territory was much
less.

A Son for Abram

Sarai, Abrams wife had not borne him a child, but she had an Egyptian
servant named Hagar, and she said to Abram,
Now since Yahweh has kept me from having children, go to my servant,
perhaps I shall have a child by her.
Abram agreed to what Sarai said. (Gen.16:1-2)
Such an arrangement was not uncommon in the region of Canaan. The child
would be considered heir to Abram and Sarai would have legal responsibility
for it.
Hagar became pregnant and began to despise her mistress. (Gen.16:4) the
situation became intolerable for Sarai and for the sake of peace, Abram was
obliged to sent Hagar away. However, Yahweh sent an angel to persuade
Hagar to return to Abrams tent. He prophesied that she would bear a son
and she was to submit humbly to her mistress Sarai.
The angel of Yahweh warned Hagar that her son would be a wild ass of a
man, his hand against everyone and everyones hand against him, defiant
towards all his brothers. (Gen.16:12)
When Abram was eighty six years old, Hagar bore him a son whom they
named Ishmael. He became the founding father of the Arab people.
Was this then to be the means whereby Abrams descendents would occupy
the promised land? The son of a servant girl?
God had other plans.
Fourteen years later,
When Abram was ninety nine years old, Yahweh appeared to him and said,
`I am God Almighty. Walk in my presence and be without blame. I will make a
covenant between myself and you, and I will multiply your race. Abram fell
face down and God said to him, `This is my covenant with you. You will be
the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will be called Abram, but
Abraham, because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.
(Gen.17:1-5)
First came Yahwehs promise concerning land, now Yahweh promises Abram
a plenitude not only of descendents but also of nations. He changes Abrams

name to Abraham. From Venerated Father to Father of a multitude. This

precipitates a new life for Abram and new responsibility. God has chosen
wisely a man of integrity to fulfill his plan of salvation for humankind. This is
a tipping point in mans history.
For his part Abraham must accept as a sign of this covenant the rite of
circumcision.
Every male among you shall be circumcised.
`You shall circumcise your foreskin and that will be the sign of the covenant
between me and you. When he is eight days old every male among you will
be circumcised, generation after generation; those born in your household or
bought to be slaves, they must be circumcised. So my covenant will be
written in your flesh as an everlasting covenant. (Gen.17:10-13)
Circumcision was an ancient custom amongst Middle Eastern people. It was a
mark of passage into adult life. However for the chosen people it was a
special mark, it was not an option. It was mandatory. Two thousand years
later, Christ would shed his first blood in this ritual as a true Son of the Law.
That very day Abraham circumcised all the males in his house and was
circumcised himself. A painful procedure for a ninety nine year old man, and
the other adult males as well. No anesthetics at that time. Yahweh had told
Abraham that his wife. Sarai would bear a son. At the thought of this,
Abraham had fallen face down and laughed. Sarai was almost ninety years
old herself. Yahweh changed her name to Sarah.
It is Sarah, your wife who will give birth to your Son and you will name him
Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him and his descendants forever. As
for Ishmael, I heard you, I will bless him and make him fruitful, and I will
multiply his race. He shall be the father of 12 princes and I will make him a
great nation. (Gen.17:19-20)
Some time afterward, the promise was repeated in a strange way. Abraham
saw three strangers approaching his camp by the oaks of Manre. Like any
good hospitable Eastener, he ran out to meet them and begged them to stop
for awhile.
They looked like ordinary travelers. But one of them was God himself, and
the other two were his angels. ` I will surely return to you in the spring. The
lord said, `and Sarah your wife shall have a son. Sarah, listening by the door
of the tent, laughed to herself. She was far too old to have children. But the

Lord, who heard her laughter, assured her that she really would have a son
by spring. 20.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Yahweh warned Abraham that the depravity of the people in these two cities
called out for their destruction. Abraham was appalled at Yahwehs
comments. He bargained on their behalf to have the wrath of Yahweh
dissipated.
The old man converses with God just as one would when making a deal with
a friend. His boldness does not incense the almighty. He bargains from 50
good men to 45, then to 40m then 30, then 20 and finally to 1. If 10 good
men are found in Sodom Yahweh will not destroy the city.
The two angels in human form who accompanied Yahweh, journey to Lots
house in Sodom. Word spread among the townspeople of Sodom about the
two handsome men staying with Lot. The depraved men of Sodom
surrounded Lots house and demanded that Lot hand them over so they
could be sexually abused. Middle Eastern custom could not allow ones
visitors to be treated in this fashion. Lot offered to send out his two virgin
daughters. This was unacceptable to the men from Sodom and they moved
to break into Lots house.
but the men inside the house stretch out their hands to bring Lot inside and
then shut the door. As for those at the entrance of the house, they were
struck with blindness, from the smallest to the largest, so that they were
unable to find the door. (Gen.19:10-11)
The two angels informed Lot of Yahwehs intention regarding Sodom. He
went to warn his relatives. They laughed at him. At daybreak, the two angels
told Lot to take his wife and two daughters out of the city. They were
commanded not to look back. Lot begged to be allowed to flee to the small
town of Zoar. He was granted this favour.
Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and Gomorrah burning sulphur out of the
heavens,
And he completely destroyed those towns and all the valley and all the
inhabitants of the towns and everything that grew there. Lots wife looked
back and she became a pillar of salt. (Gen.19:24-26)

It is from the city of Sodom that the unnatural sexual act between two males
derives its name: Sodomy.
The two cities of Sodom and Gomorrah have never been found.
The Southern end of the Dead Sea is even today a lunar landscape, readily
encouraging the belief that it had been destroyed by an act of God. 21.
What does the church have to say concerning homosexuality?
Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained.- - -tradition has
always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They close
the sexual act of to the gift of life - - -the number of men and women who
have deep seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. - - -they must be
accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust
discrimination in their regard should be avoided. - - -Homosexual persons are
called to chastity. 22.
The origin of the Moabites and the Ammonites
Lot was afraid to live in Zoar so he took his two daughters into the hills near
Zoar, choosing to live in a cave. While the family was there, the two
daughters despaired of getting married. they both desired children. Both
daughters tricked their father Lot, into getting drunk on two successive
nights. Taking one night each, they slept with their father. This resulted in
both daughters becoming pregnant.
The elder gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He was the ancestor of
the Moabites who live today. The younger, also gave birth to a son and
named him Ben-ammi. He is the ancestor of the Ammonites who exist to this
day. (Gen.19-37-38)
Moab was East of the Dead Sea and Ammon to the North of the Dead Sea.
There are references to battles between the Jews and the Ammonites for
much of the history of the Holy Land. Jephthah fought against them (Judges
10-11) Saul fought against them, (1 Sam.11) David fought against them;
(2Sam.10-1-4) and finally incorporated them into his kingdom. They became
independent during Solomons reign and a vassal state under the Assyrians.
They disappeared as a state in the 6th Cent. BC. and the territory became
part of the Persian Empire.
Today the same region is called Trans-Jordan and the city of Amman (Jordans
capital) is the ancient city of Ammon.

In the time of Ruth (c.1350-1050 BC) the Moabites appeared to be on good

terms with the Israelites. David (c.1000 BC) incorporated Moab into his
kingdom. But this did not last. There were wars between the two cultures
under Omri and Ahab in the 9th Cent. BC. (2 Kings 3:4) Moab fell to the
Assyrians in the 8th Cent. BC.
How true is this story of the origin of the Ammonites and the Moabites?
We have no proof to the contrary.
Incest, that is sexual relations within the members of one family, was not
unknown in ancient times, but was not common. Today it is a criminal
offence. Ridiculing Moabs and Ammons origins is typical of the Eastern
Writers mentality.
The main thrust of the narrative, however, is to serve as a contrast between
Abraham and Lot. The just Abraham waits for the Lord to give him land and a
son. Lot and his household are grasping and foolish, managing only to
survive. Survive they do, only because of Lots relationship to the chosen
Abraham. 24.
Abraham and Sarah at Gerar
Abraham left the area near the Southern part of the Salt Sea. (Dead Sea) He
journeyed to the Negev, setting up his tent at Gerar. Abimelech was the king
there and became infatuated with Sarah despite her age. He had her taken
to his domain. Abraham lied again saying Sarah was his sister.
One night Yahweh appeared to Abimelech and said to him,
You are a dead man because of this woman you have taken, for she is a
married woman. (Gen.20:3)
Abimelech pleaded his innocence before Yahweh.
Abimelech then brought sheep and cattle, male and female slaves and gave
them to Abraham - - -and to Sarah he said, `I am giving your brother a
thousand silver coins. It will be as a protection for you, and an evidence for
all those who are with you. (Gen.20:14-16)
Abraham prayed to Yahweh on behalf of Abimelech and his household.
Yahweh heard Abrahams prayers and made it possible for the kings wife
and female slaves to bear children. He had withdrawn this privilege when
Abimelech took Sarah to his tent.

Abraham had lied about Sarah because believing these people of the Negev
did not fear God, he feared for his own life. This highlights the violence that
was prevalent in the promised land at that time. For his part Abimelechs
grand gestures,
illustrate his integrity, obedience and awe before Gods servant Abraham.
The Birth of Isaac
In fulfillment of the promise Yahweh had made to Abraham concerning his
multitude of descendants, Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to
Abraham, in his old age, at the very time Yahweh had promised. Abraham
gave the name Isaac to the son that Sarah bore him and circumcised him
when he was eight days old, as Yahweh had commanded. (Gen.21:2-4)
As in any family, problems arose between Ishmael and Isaac. Sarah said to
Abraham.
Send this slave girl and her son away; the child of this salve must not share
the inheritance with my son Isaac. (Gen.21:10)
Abraham was distressed. Ishmael was his son also. Yahweh appeared to
Abraham and told him to listen to Sarah.
Before when Sarah dealt harshly with her, Hagar fled into the desert. This
time her departure was more peaceful. Nevertheless she knew that she and
her son would not survive the hostile environment. Yahweh sent an angel to
comfort her and Yahweh himself showed her where to find water. Yahweh
would protect Hagar and her Son.
God was with the boy. He grew up and made his home in the wilderness and
became an expert archer. He lived in the desert of Paran and his mother
chose a wife for him from the land of Egypt. (Gen.21:20-21)
The wilderness of Paran was South of the Negev and part of North Eastern
Sinai.
The Test of Abrahams Faith
When Isaac had grown, God tested Abraham.
Take your son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer
him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to
you. (Gen.22:2)

What a shocking command. Child sacrifices were not unknown in the land.
The Canaanites often offered child sacrifices to the God Moloch. But this
request from Yahweh was different. Abraham had trusted in Gods promises
for his son. How would he now become the father of a multitude of
descendants?
whatever his mental state, Abraham rose early in the morning and cut the
wood for the burnt offering. Then he saddled his ass, and taking two of his
servants along with his son Isaac, started towards Moriah, where God had
told him to go, a three days journey. When he drew near, Abraham told his
servants to wait. `I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again
to you. 26.
Abraham built an altar and set wood on it, bound his son Isaac and laid him
on the wood. No greater act of obedience has any man ever performed.
When he was about to slay his son an angel from heaven stayed his hand. A
voice nearby proclaimed.
Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him for now I know that you
fear God, and you have not held back from me your only son. (Gen.22:12)
This is why Abraham is called the Father of Our Faith. When he looked
around, Abraham saw behind him a ram caught by its horns in the bush.
He offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. (Gen.22:13)
It is for this supreme act of faith and obedience that Abraham was told,
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars
in the sky and the sand on the seashore. (Gen.22:17)
The mountains of Moriah were the hills around Jerusalem. On one of the
peaks, the temple would later be built, where the whole nation of Israel
would offer its sacrifices to God. On another one, Golgotha, Jesus would offer
himself as the last sacrifice. 27.
In later Jewish culture each first born male would be redeemed by an animal
sacrifice.
(Ex.34:19-20) (Num.18:15)
Also the first born of livestock and animals as well as the first cuttings of the
harvest would be offered to Yahweh as first fruits. This is a sacrifice of
thanksgiving. Abraham then was the first Hebrew to redeem his first born
son, according to the promise, by an animal sacrifice.

The Tomb of Abraham and Sarah

Sarah, the wife of Abraham died in Hebron. Abraham approached the Hittites
to ask for a place to bury her after the mourning period was over. The Hittites
had great respect for Abraham, calling him Gods prince among us.
(Gen.23:6) They offered any piece of land he may desire. He chose the cave
at Machpelah and its environs. The Hittites were willing to give the land to
Abraham for free. But he wished to pay for it legally. The owner Ephron, in
the hearing of all the people, sold it to Abraham for 400 silver coins. This was
an exorbitant price, but Abraham was desirous of acquiring legal ownership
of the land and its cave.
The importance of Abrahams purchase of the field in Machpelah, - - - lies in
the fact that it gave his descendants their first, though small, land rights in
the country that God had promised the Patriarch they would one day inherit
as their own. 28.
Abraham buried Sarah in the cave at Machpelah. Later the site would be
called Hebron. Hebron is located in the southern hill country of Judah ca. 27
miles South, South West of Jerusalem. Abraham was buried there. (Gen.25:9)
as were Isaac (Gen.35:27-29) and Rebekah (Gen.49:31) and Jacob and Leah
(Gen.49:29-33) Cenotaphs to these founders are revered today in the great
Mosque at Hebron. 29.
Isaac
Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. To the sons of his concubines
Abraham gave presents, and as long as he lived he sent them away from his
sons Isaac, to the land to the east. (Gen.25:5-6)
Abraham had married another woman apart from Sarah. Her name was
Keturah. She bore him six sons.
Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. (Gen.25:2)
Of these sons and any others, we know very little. They seem to fade from
history and form no part of the legacy Yahweh promised to Abraham.
All Gods promises to Abraham were to be fulfilled through Isaac. The only
way to keep Isaac from falling into idolatry, Abraham had decided, was to
keep him away from the Canaanites. Abrahams servant therefore went back
to Mesopotamia, where Abrahams relatives still lived. Outside the city of
Nahor, he stopped by a well. 30.

Prior to the senior servants departure. Abraham told him,

Put your hand under my thigh and you will swear to me by Yahweh, God of
heaven and earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the
daughters of the Canaanites among whom we live rather it is to my country
and my kinsfolk that you will go to choose a wife for my son Isaac.
(Gen.24:2-4)
Put your hand under my thigh - - was apparently connected with the
Hebrew concept of children issuing from their fathers thigh. - - - Perhaps
the man who took such an oath was thought to bring the curse of sterility on
himself if he did not fulfill his sworn promise. Jacob made Joseph swear in the
same way. (Gen.47:29) In both these cases, the oath was taken to carry out
the last request of a man upon his death. 31.
Abrahams servant saw the women gathering at the well. He prayed that
Yahweh would guide him in his choice of wife for Isaac. He decided he would
ask them for water to drink and when one of them said,
Drink and I will water your camels as well. (Gen.24:14)
He knew God had answered his prayer. It was Rebekah, the daughter of
Bethuel, son of Melcah, wife of Abrahams brother Nahor who offered him
water for himself and his camels. This showed her generous nature. When
the servant inquired of her name and lineage, he rejoiced at the reply and
spoke in praise of Yahweh.
Rebekah ran and told Laban her brother of the strange encounter. The
servant had given her a nose ring and bracelets. Laban invited Abrahams
servant into his home and provided fodder for his camels. The servant
related his mission to Laban and Laban had no objection to his sister
Rebekahs marriage to his relative Isaac.
Rebekah had to agree. It was a decision that would take her far away from
her family. She pondered the consequences and then embraced the proposal,
Abrahams servant,
took the gold and silver jewelry as well as the clothes and gave them to
Rebekah. He also gave costly gifts to her brother and mother. (Gen.24:53)
He stayed the night in Labans home and the next day insisted on returning
to his master. Rebekah and her maids mounted the servants camels and
began the long journey back to the Negev.

Isaac was in the fields when the convoy arrived one evening and when Isaac
and Rebekah met, they were instantly attracted to one another. Isaac
brought Rebekah to his mother Sarahs tent.
He made her his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his
mothers death. (Gen.24:67)
The Birth of Esau and Jacob
For a long time Rebekah was childless. Isaac prayed to Yahweh concerning
the problem. Yahweh heard Isaacs prayer and Rebekah conceived twins. The
children struggled inside her womb and Rebekah wondered what this meant.
The pregnancy was a difficult one.
She went to consult Yahweh, and Yahweh said to her,
`two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be born of you; one
nation will be stronger than the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.
(Gen.25:23)
They were still struggling when they were born. The first came out red all
over, so they named him Esau, which sounded like the word for red, the
second came out grabbing the first ones heel, so they called him Jacob,
which sounded like the Hebrew for `he takes by the heel or `he supplants.
As the boys grew up Esau (the first born by only minutes) was the father
Isaacs favourite. But Jacob was his mothers favourite, 32.
It is not clear if Rebekah shared with anyone the knowledge that Yahweh
gave her concerning
the elder shall serve the younger.
From their actions it seems unlikely that either Isaac or Esau knew. 33.
Esau became a great hunter. He was at home in the wild. Jacob stayed near
his familys tent. He was in many respects a `mamas boy. Isaac liked to eat
the wild game that Esau killed.
The Birthright
Once when Jacob was making a stew, Esau came back from an unsuccessful
hunt and was hungry. He spotted the food Jacob was preparing and declared
that he was famished and would like some of the stew. Jacob could see that

Esau was indeed hungry and used this hunger as a bargaining chip, so he
said to Esau,
First sell me your right as the firstborn. Esau said `Since I am to die soon,
what good is my right as the firstborn to me? Then Jacob said, `give me your
oath first. So he swore to him and sold his firstborn right to Jacob. Then
Jacob gave him bread and the lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and then got
up and went his way. So it was that Esau thought nothing of his right as the
firstborn. (Gen.25:32-34)
This was a neat trick on the part of Jacob. In many cultures the first son is in
a position of privilege. He would normally take over the family business when
the father either dies or retires. The younger siblings would have no say in
the matter. In the Middle East, the birthright brings great honour. That Esau
would dismiss it as almost irrelevant is a monumental blunder.
Although the discussion took place without witnesses, Jacob proves to be a
tough negotiator, even to the extent of demanding an oath from Esau.
Yahweh appears to Jacob,
Do not go down to Egypt, stay in the Land I shall tell you of. Remain in this
land, and I will be with you and I will bless you. I will give all these lands to
you and your race, and I shall keep the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
For I told him: I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the
heavens and to them I will give all those lands. (Gen.26:2-4)
Here the promise is renewed. There is no dramatic halving of sacrifices or
smoking fire. It is almost a non-event. Yet it is as fundamentally as important
a pledge as was the covenant between Yahweh and Isaacs father Abraham.
This covenant is mentioned again in (Gen.26:24) when Isaac migrated to
Beersheba.
The Blessing obtained by Deceit
When Isaac became quite old and blind he called Esau and told him to go
and hunt some wild game. He desired to eat his favorite savory food and
then grant a fathers blessing to his first born.
Rebekah overheard the conversation and immediately sprang into action.
She was determined to see Jacob receive the all important blessing. To this
end she sent Jacob to select two fine kids from the flock of goats and bring
them to her. Without delay, she prepared Isaacs favourite meal.

Jacob knew that he was not hairy like Esau so he raised the problem with his
mother. Undaunted, Rebekah,
took the best clothes of her elder son Esau that she had in the house and
put them on Jacob, her younger son. With the goatskin she covered his hands
and the smooth part of his neck. (Gen.27:15-16)
Then taking the food his mother had prepared, Jacob went to his father and
proclaimed that he was Esau. Isaac was surprised that Esau had returned
so quickly from the hunt and prepared the meal. Jacob, posing as Esau
presented food to Isaac.
Isaac said to Jacob `Come near to me and let me feel you, my son. - - when Jacob drew near his father felt him and said, `the voice is the voice of
Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau. (Gen.27:22)
Jacob presented the food and wine. Isaac ate and drank then told Jacob to
come near to him and kiss him. Jacob obeyed and Isaac could smell the
clothes of Esau.
Then he blessed Jacob as follows:May God give you the dew of heaven, and of the richness of earth; and
abundance of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you and nations bow down
before you. Be Lord over your brothers and may your mothers sons bow
down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you and blessed be everyone
who blesses you! (Gen.27:28-29)
Just then Esau came in and invited his father to sit up and eat. Then the
deceit of Rebekah and Jacob became manifest. Esau was furious. He asked
for a blessing also but there was none. The only compensation he received
from Isaac were these words,
when you win freedom you will throw off his yoke from your neck.
(Gen.27:40)
The prophecy referred to the future of the two nations, Israel and Edom.
Israel would dominate over Edom for a long time, but when Israel declined
Edom would break free.
Edom was made up of descendants of Esau. It was situated South of the
Dead Sea. David subjugated it to his kingdom. Eventually it paid tribute to
Assyria (8th Cent.) In the time of Moses the Edomites refused the Israelites
right of passage. Finally it was absorbed into the Nabatean kingdom. Prior to

being absorbed by the Nabateans, the Edomites enraged the survivors of the
Judean cities by ransacking them after the Babylonians had conquered
Jerusalem in 587 BC. Even though the two nations were distantly related by
blood, it was bad blood between them.
The fury of Esau was so great at the loss of his father Isaacs blessing that he
planned after his fathers funeral, to kill Jacob. Rebekah heard of the plot and
calling Jacob to her, advised Jacob of Esaus intent. She sent him on the long
journey back to her brothers house in Haran. There he could be safe. One
night on his journey to Haran.
while Jacob was sleeping he had a dream in which a ladder stood on the
earth with its top reaching to heaven and on it were angels of God going up
and coming down. And Yahweh was standing near him and said,
I am Yahweh the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. The
land on which you sleep I give to you and your descendants. (Gen.28:1213)
This was a momentous occasion in Gods plan of salvation for mankind.
Yahweh was giving Jacob the same promise that he had made to Abraham
and Isaac.
When Jacob awoke from his dream, he was aware of an awesome
responsibility placed on his shoulders and also that Yahweh had spoken to
him personally.
He called the place, Bethel which meant the house of God, and erected a
stone pillar and consecrated it to Yahweh by pouring oil on the top of it. He
made the solemn vow that if he returned safely to his fathers house, then he
would dedicate one tenth of his possessions to Yahweh.
The ladder is of particular significance to Christian mystical theology. This
significance is way beyond the biblical account in Jacobs dream. In St. John
of the crosss mystical work the Dark Night of the soul, this 16th cent. A.D
Carmelite monk says.
the ladder in Jacobs dream prefigures the ladder of Contemplation whose
end is God. 35.
The ladder consists of ten steps of divine love culminating in the souls
being completely assimilated to God. Every soul must and will make this
journey when it is finally absorbed into the Beatific Vision.

Jacob finally arrived at a well in Haran and much to his delight was informed
that the young woman coming towards him with a flock of sheep was Rachel,
the younger daughter of Laban his distant relative. He was instantly
bewitched by Rachels beauty and said to Laban
I will work for you for seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.
(Gen.29:18)
Laban agreed. When Jacobs contract was fulfilled, Laban held a great
marriage feast for Rachel and Jacob. But Laban was a deceitful man. When
night came he switched Leah for Rachel and Jacob slept with the wrong
woman.
The next day Laban explained his deceit with the lame excuse of cultural
tradition. The elder of two daughters must be married first before the
younger one was allowed to be so. Jacob was distraught. Laban then offered
to give Rachel to Jacob if he worked for another seven years tending Labans
flocks. Jacob was caught. He had no option but to agree.
In the course of the second seven years, Leah gave birth to four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. Rachel on the other hand could not
conceive. she saw a solution in giving her servant Bilhah to Jacob. Bilhah
became pregnant and gave birth to Dan. Later she gave birth to Napthali.
Rachel by law, claimed the two children as her own. Leah saw that she had
stopped bearing children. So she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife
Zilpah bore two sons, Gad and Asher.
At the time of the wheat harvest, Reuben went out to the fields and found
some mandrakes plants which he brought to his mother Leah. Gen.30:14)
Rachel asked for some of the mandrakes. Leah only permitted her to have
some if Rachel would let Leah sleep with Jacob again. For some reason not
specified, Jacob was shunning Leah.
The mandrake (mandragora) was commonly understood to be an
aphrodisiac and fertility potion - - -it it also called Love apple. 36.
Leah bore two more sons, Issachar and Zebulon, and a daughter, Dinah.
Likewise, Rachel became pregnant and gave birth to Joseph.
The Return to the Promised Land.

With the birth of his eleventh son, Jacob decided to return to Canaan. When
the question of Jacobs wages came up, he refused Labans offer and
proposed instead that
I shall go through your flock removing every black lamb, and the spotted
and speckled among the goats. These shall be my wages. (Gen.30:32)
Laban agreed to the proposal but deceitfully removed all the black sheep and
the streaked male goats and gave them to his sons while Jacob was away
tending Labans other flocks.
For the next few years Laban and Jacob spent most of their time trying to
outwit each other, with Laban trying to make sure all the lambs and kids
were born full coloured and Jacob using selective breeding to make sure all
the best animals came out spotted. Jacob came out ahead in the game and
he grew rich with his spotted flock. 37.
In the Near East the normal colour of sheep is light grey whereas that of
goats is dark brown or black. A minority of sheep in that part of the world
have dark patches, and a minority of goats white markings. Laban is quick to
agree to the offer, for Jacob would have received only a few animals. But
Jacob gets the better of him using two different means. 1. He separates out
the weaker animals and then provides visual impressions to the stronger
animals at mating time (a folkloric belief.) 2. In 31:8-12, he transmits the
preferred characteristics through controlled propagation. It should be noted
that Jacob had been told what to do in a dream. (31:10) and that God is
behind the increase in his flocks. 38.
So Jacobs flocks contained all the spotted and streaked sheep and the
stronger animals.
Laban saw Jacobs flock increase dramatically and his attitude towards Jacob
soured. In a dream, Yahweh told Jacob to take all his family and flocks and
return to the land of his birth.
Jacob made the necessary preparations for the journey. Meanwhile, when
Laban was away shearing his sheep, his daughter Rachel stole her fathers
family gods, packed them in bags on her camel and sat on the animal ready
to leave. Laban returned three days later to find Jacob and his household
gods gone.
Taking his brothers with him, he followed Jacob for seven days and caught
up with him in the hill country of Gilead. (Gen.31:23) Laban accused Jacob

of leaving without allowing him to say goodbye to his daughters and

grandchildren and also of stealing his household gods. Jacob for his part told
Laban that he was afraid Laban would not let his family go. Jacob also gave
permission for Laban to search his tents for the gods. Laban found nothing.
Rachel had hidden them in the saddle bags of her camel and sat on them,
saying to her father.
Do not be angry with me my Lord, if I do not stand in your presence, for I
am having my period. (Gen.31:35)
Such an action by Rachel would make the carved images unclean. They
were small idols used for divination.
Laban and his relatives posed a threat to Jacob but God had warned Laban,
Be careful not to say anything good or evil to Jacob. (Gen.31:29)
So the two antagonists, Jacob and Laban made a pact of peace.
Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He then said to his kinsmen,
`collect stones. So they gathered stones and piled them up, and they ate
there by the pile. (Gen.31:45-46)
The two men agreed,
This pile and this pillar will witness that I will not pass beyond this pile to
harm you and that you will not pass beyond this pile and pillar to harm me.
(Gen.31:52)
Laban and Jacob solemnly bound themselves to the pact under oath to their
respective deities. `God of Abraham and God of Nahor. - - - The agreement
is sealed by a sacrificial meal.
Then they part, each going his own way.
Jacob struggles with a stranger
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to Esau. They came back with news
that frightened Jacob. `We came to your brother Esau and he is coming to
meet you and four hundred men with him. - - -Jacob assumed the worst. - -He divided his followers into two groups - - then he prayed to God - -`deliver
me I pray you from the hand of my brother Esau.
After he had prayed, Jacob picked out the best of his flock and sent them
with his servants as a present for Esau. 40.

Then taking his wives, his maidservants and his sons, he sent them across
the ford at Jabbok, to a safe place, but he himself remained alone on the
other side.
In the evening a stranger approached him. The encounter with this stranger
would alter Jacobs life forever.
Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he
could not get the better of Jacob, he struck him in the socket of his hip and
dislocated it as he wrestled with him. - - - you will no longer be called Jacob
but Israel, for you have been `strong with God as you have been with men
and have prevailed. (Gen.32:24-28)
What are we to make of this story? Is it fact or fiction?
If the stranger is an angel then the struggle would have been over in
minutes. How does a spirit fight a human? The whole episode seems
improbable. We really have to stretch our imagination to picture this night
long battle. The author or redactor is repeating a tradition that is aimed at
enhancing the reputation of the patriarch Jacob and creating a reason for the
term Israel.
Jacob will now enter the promised land with a limp. Most dislocations can be
resolved with the bone returning to its correct position. Damage to tissue and
tendons can heal over time. Why is the effect permanent in the case of
Jacob?
And he blessed him there. (Gen.32:29)
As dawn broke, Jacob saw Esau coming with his 400 armed men. He placed
himself in front of his family and bowed to the ground seven times as he
moved towards his brother. Esau had got over his grudge concerning the
birthright and paternal blessing. Time heals all wounds. Jacob had been away
twenty years.
Esau ran to meet him, took him in his arms, kissed him: and both men
wept. (Gen.33:4)
Esau declined the gifts Jacob had sent ahead.
Brother I have plenty; keep what you have for yourself. (Gen.33:9)

But Jacob insisted and Esau relented by accepting Jacobs gifts. Both men
went their separate ways. Jacob did not want Esau or his men to accompany
him. He knew that the promised land was to be for his descendants only.
Eventually, Jacob reached Shechem.
For one hundred pieces of silver he bought from the sons of Hamor, the
father of Shechem, the lot of land where he pitched his tent. (Gen.33:19)
The Promised Renewed
God appeared to Jacob and told him.
Go up to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to God who appeared
to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau. (Gen.35:1)
Jacob did what God had ordered. God appeared to him again and said to him,
`Your name is Jacob, but no longer will you be called Jacob, for Israel will be
your name. so he was called Israel. Then God said to him,
`Be fruitful and grow in number! A nation or rather a group of nations will
come from you. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you and
to your descendants after you. (Gen.35:10-12)
Jacob did not remain in Bethel but moved on some distance from Ephrath.
There Rachel gave birth to the twelfth son of Jacob, Benjamin. The birth and
delivery were so difficult that Rachel died there. She was buried there and
the place became known as Bethlehem.

Section Three -

Joseph

Jacob had twelve sons. The youngest was Benjamin. The one most favoured
was Joseph, the brother of Benjamin.
Now Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children, for he was the
son of his old age and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him.
(Gen.37:3)

This favouritism was a source of jealousy and anger among his older siblings.
They no longer spoke to him in a friendly manner.
When Joseph was seventeen, he was in the fields with all his older brothers,
shepherding their fathers flocks. Quite innocently he related to them two
dreams that he had.
We were binding sheaves in the field when my sheaf rose and stood up and
your sheaves gathered round and bowed down to my sheaf.
This angered Josephs brothers. But he compounded the issue by relating a
second dream that included his father and dead mother.
I saw the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowing down before me.
His father Jacob scolded him for relating the second dream. He was disliked
by his brothers before, but now they hated him.
The brothers were all tending Jacobs flocks at Shechem when Jacob sent
Joseph to enquire how the brothers were faring. He found them at Dothan
some distance away from Shechem. They saw him coming and the hatred
they had for him fermented in them the plan to kill Joseph.
But the eldest, Reuben, advised against killing their brother.
`Let us not kill him; shed no blood! Throw him in this well in the wilderness,
but do him no violence. This he said to save him from them and take him
back to his father. (Gen.37:22)
They stripped Joseph of his coat and threw him into a dry well and sat down
to have a meal. In the distance they saw a caravan of Midianites passing by
on their way to sell spices in Egypt.
So when the Midianite merchants came along they pulled Joseph up and
lifted him out of the well. For twenty pieces of silver they sold Joseph to the
Midianites who took him with them to Egypt. (Gen.37:28)
When Reuben found out, he was so annoyed he tore his clothes as a sign of
disfavor. There the brothers agreed among themselves to kill a goat, dip the
long sleeved coat in it and take it back to Jacob, lying that a wild animal had
attacked Joseph and torn him to pieces.
His father wept at the news and mourned for his son Joseph.

The Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah and

the commander of the guard. (Gen.37:36)
There is some disagreement about Potiphars royal position.
Potiphar means gift of Re. (Sun God) He is the chief steward. 41.
Nevertheless Potiphar is a man of influence in Pharoahs court.
Now into the narrative concerning Joseph, is inserted quite artificially, a story
about Josephs brother Judah. He had three children. The eldest Er, was given
the girl Tamar for his wife. Er was wicked in Gods sight and God took his
life. (Gen.38:7) The second son Onan, was supposed to marry Tamar and
raise up children for his dead brother Er, as was the custom among the
Hebrews. But he defiled himself by Spilling his semen on the ground.
(Gen.38:9)
Thus he avoided impregnating Tamar. God was displeased with Onans action
and took his life.
Tamar desired to have a child and disguised herself as a prostitute. She
enticed Judah, her father in-law to sleep with her. She gave birth to twins,
Perez and Zerah. What is the significance of this story that has no bearing on
the story about Joseph?
It is this. Tamar is an ancestor of Jesus. Her two sons Perez and Zerah are
listed in Matthews genealogy of Jesus. So is Tamar. The direct line of
descendants is carried through Judahs son Perez. (Matt.1:3)
After this interlude, we return to the story of Joseph in Egypt.
Joseph pleased his master, who made him overseer of his house and all that
he owned. (Gen.39:4)
We see here the beginnings of Gods secretly drawing good out of evil.
Joseph was sold into slavery but he will rise to a position of prominence in
Pharoahs court.
But it was not all plain sailing for Joseph. Potiphars wife took a liking to
Joseph and attempted to seduced him Joseph resisted the womans advances
but was falsely accused of trying to be intimate with her. Potiphar blazed
with anger (Gen.39:19) and had Joseph incarcerated in the royal prison.
While in prison, Joseph impressed the warden so much by his upright
character, that the warden placed him in charge of all the other prisoners.

Sometime later, two prisoners arrived from Pharoahs court, the cup bearer
and the royal baker. The Captain of the guard placed them in Josephs care.
One night each of them dreamed each one his own dream, and each dream
had its own meaning. (Gen.40:5)
Joseph could see that both men were troubled by their dreams. Joseph was
enlightened by God and interpreted both mens dreams.
For the cup bearer it was good news. He would return to the Pharoahs
service. For the baker, it was bad news. He would be taken and killed within
three days.
The Pharoahs Dream
Pharaoh had two dreams. In the first one he dreamt that
he was standing by the Nile, when seven cows, sleek and fat, were coming
up from the Nile and beginning to feed among the rushes. Behind them came
seven other cows, lean and scraggy that stood before the cows already
there. These devoured the sleek and fat cows. (Gen.41:1-4)
Pharaoh fell asleep again and dreamt.
He saw growing on one stalk, seven ears of corn that were full and ripe. And
after these there sprouted seven more ears of corn that were small and
scorched by the East wind. Now the small ears of corn swallowed the plump
and ripe ones. (Gen.4:5-7)
Pharoah called the magicians and wise men, but they were unable to
interpret the dreams. The cup bearer remembered Joseph in prison and
suggested that he be called. So Pharoah summoned Joseph. God inspired
Joseph to tell the Pharoah that both dreams had the same message. There
would be seven years of good harvests followed by seven years of famine.
Joseph proposed that a wise man be appointed to supervise the storage of
the grain in the productive years. Pharaoh agreed and after some
consideration, appointed Joseph as overseer.
You shall be over my house, and all my people will obey your orders. Only I
myself will be greater than you. (Gen.41:40)
Cattle and agriculture depended on the inundation of the Nile, and were this
to be suspended, famine would indeed follow. Seven is an ominous number.
42.

Joseph is appointed Vizier. Pharaoh,

Took the signet ring from his finger and put it on Josephs finger. He clothed
him in fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in the
chariot that was second only to his and they cried out before him `make
way. Thus he was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (Gen.41:42-43)
The rise of Joseph from slave to prisoner to Vizier is extraordinary. It is
unparalled in the Middle East. God is at work among his people. For all of
that, it must be remembered that blest as Joseph was, God did not remake
the Covenant with him.
Pharoah wanted Joseph at thirty years of age to have the stability of a family
life and to become part Egyptian. To this end, he gave him in marriage
Asenath, the daughter of a priest of On. (This was also called Heliopolis)
A city seven miles north east of Modern Cairo, site of the chief temple of the
sun god. (Ra)
43.
Asenath bore Joseph two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Both would be
important names when the promised land was divided amongst the twelve
tribes. The name Ephraim would in fact be used by prophets to designate
the Northern kingdom of Israel after Solomons kingdom was divided. (932
BC)
As predicted by Joseph, seven years of bountiful harvests were followed by
seven years of famine. Joseph opened the store houses of grain and sold it to
the people of Egypt. Because of the severity of the famine and its extent
throughout the Middle East, people came to Egypt from other countries to
buy grain.
Jacobs family was suffering also. When he heard that grain was available in
Egypt, he sent ten of his sons of Egypt to purchase it. However he kept the
youngest, Benjamin back in Canaan.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph recognized them immediately,
they were older, but they talked and dressed the way he remembered them.
There they were, his brothers, bowing down before him Just as the dream
had foretold all those years before. 44.
They did not recognize him.

Joseph decided to discipline his brothers. He accused them of being spies.

They protested their innocence. Joseph imprisoned them for three days in
remembrance of his three days confinement in the dry well at Dothan. Then
on the third day he released nine of them. But kept one as a surety that they
return with their youngest brother Benjamin. They agreed. Great was their
consternation when on their return journey they discovered their money
embedded in the sacks of wheat.
Jacob refused to let Benjamin go. Eventually, because the famine was so
harsh the brothers had to return to Egypt. Jacob relented and told his sons,
Take some choice products of the Land in your bags and a gift for the man
(Joseph) some balm, a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
Take double the money with you and you will repay what was put in your
sacks; it may have been a mistake. (Gen.43:11-12)
Taking Benjamin, they again journeyed to Egypt and were admitted into the
presence of Joseph.
When Joseph saw that they had fulfilled his request to bring Benjamin, he
ordered a fine meal to be prepared for them in his house. When he saw
Benjamin he was so deeply moved that,
he went out quickly and wept in his own private room. (Gen.43:30)
The brothers were astonished to find themselves seated at the meal in order
of birth. After the meal, Joseph ordered the Brothers sacks to be filled with
wheat and their money returned in the sacks also. Then he played a trick on
them by having a silver cup placed in Benjamins sack. They departed for
Canaan.
A short time later Joseph sent his steward to stop and accuse them of
stealing Josephs silver cup. The brother whose sack contained the cup would
become Josephs slave. Naturally in this contrived theft, Benjamin was the
culprit. The brothers were astonished and Judah steps forward and takes
responsibility for the theft offering himself as a slave in Benjamins place.
Joseph could no longer control his feelings. (Gen.45:1)
He orders all the Egyptian servants to leave the room and wept in the
presence of his brothers, revealing himself to them. The brothers were
astounded. He sends them away with the request that they return with all

their families and their father, Jacob. Pharaoh heard the news with pleasure
and repeated the invitation to bring all their families to Egypt.
When the brothers returned to Jacob with the stunning news that Joseph was
alive and
he is the ruler of all Egypt. (Gen.45:26) Jacob was over come.
God spoke to Jacob now called Israel in visions during the night.
I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go to Egypt, for there I
will make you into a great nation. I will go with you to Egypt and I will bring
you back again and Josephs hand will close your eyes. (Gen.46:3-4)
Israel (Jacob) journeyed with all his family to Egypt. A list is given in
Gen.46:8-27 but scholars believe it is a contrived list inserted by the
redactor. For one thing. Benjamin is listed as the father of ten children.
Highly unlikely.
When Israel arrived, Joseph presented five of his brothers to Pharoah,
explaining that they were all shepherds. Pharaoh received them graciously.
The land of Egypt is before you; let your father and brothers settle in the
best part; let them settle in Goshen and if among them there are capable
men, put them in charge of my cattle. (Gen.47:6)
the meaning of the term Goshen is unknown. It is found in no Egyptian
source. It is generally thought to be in the modern Wadi Tumilat in the
eastern part of the Nile Delta. 45 (1906 B.C)
How did the Hebrews become slaves?
Prior to the great famine, Egyptians owned their own land. There were often
famines, but this one seemed extreme. In an earlier famine (7years) the
people bought wheat from Joseph. Now their money is exhausted.
Joseph told them, `Give me your cattle to pay for bread since you have no
money. So they brought their livestock and Joseph gave them bread in
exchange for their horses, sheep and cattle and even their donkeys.
(Gen.47:16-17)
As the famine continued the people came to Joseph again.
buy us and our land for bread; we shall be in bondage to you and Pharoah. - So it was that Joseph acquired all the land of Pharoah - - and Joseph

reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other. Only the
land of the priests he did not buy. (Gen.47:19-21)
So it reasonable to believe that the Hebrews along with the Egyptians, all
became indebted to Pharoah.
Joseph did not leave the people destitute, he provided them with seed grain
on the condition that one fifth of the harvest belonged to Pharoah.
There are no Egyptian records to substantiate the economic policies of
Joseph.
Israel (Jacob) was on the point of dying. He was also going blind. Joseph
presented his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim for a blessing. Israel annoyed
Joseph by blessing the younger Ephraim in preference to Manasseh.
The blessing is communicated by the laying on of hands. Joseph attempts to
make it easier for his father to put the right hand on Manasseh, the first born,
but Jacob again disregards primogeniture. 46.
So Ephraim was blessed ahead of Manasseh.
Israel then calls his sons together. he blesses the future twelve tribes
through his sons. He predicts their behavior in symbolic forms. He singles out
the tribe of Judah. This is important. From Judah will come the Davidic line
and ultimately the Messiah.
The scepter shall not be taken from Judah, nor the rulers staff from
between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. And who has the
obedience of nations. (Gen.49:10)
Then Israel breathed his last.
The Egyptian physicians embalmed him as was their custom. The whole
process took forty days. Israel had asked before he died that he be buried in
the field of Machpelah, with his ancestors. With the pharoahs permission,
Joseph went up to bury his father and with him all Pharoahs officials, the
elders of his household, and all the elders of Egypt, his brothers and his
fathers household. (Gen.50:7)
When Joseph himself came to die he told his brothers and their families,
When God comes to bring you out of here, carry my bones with you.
(Gen.50:25) (1836 BC)

Section 4

The Exodus

The Exodus is the escape from Egypt. It is the greatest exploit of the Old
Testament. God keeps his promise. He intervenes in the history of the
Israelites, liberating them from slavery and guiding them to the promised
land. According to S.Hahn, it is reputed to have taken place sometime
between 1571 BC and 1406 BC. 47. Many other scholars believe it occurred
about 1250 BC.
The event is seared into the religious mind of the chosen people. It becomes
their most important feast and ultimately the birth of the Christian epoch.
we are told that after Josephs death. The family of Jacob lost favour in
Egypt, owing to a change in administration.
`Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Ex.1:8)
As a result, the Hebrews were reduced to the status of state slaves and were
put to work building the store cities of Pithom and Rameses in the Delta. 48.
Joseph seems to have been in Egypt during the time when a mostly semitic
race called the Hyksos had conquered and ruled Egypt. (c.1770 BC to 1550
BC) they were a motley array of peoples. Many seemed to be Semites but
some were Hittites and Hurrians - - - bent on conquest. Aided by a new
military weapon, the horse drawn chariot, they invaded Egypt at a time of
political weakness and over threw the native rulers. 49.
The rulers of the 15th and 16th Dynasties in Egypt were all Hyksos. They
rebuilt the powerful stronghold of Avaris (Tanis) in the delta area and
extended their influence into Palestine and Syria. About 1550 BC. the

Egyptians led by Ahmose I, rose up against the Hyksos and drove them out
of Egypt. Ahmose destroyed Avaris and transferred his capital to Thebes, two
thirds of the way down the Nile River.
Later Seti I (c.1309-1290 BC) moved the Egyptian capital back to the Delta
area. In particular he began the reconstruction of Avaris (Tanis). Rameses II,
son of seti I, renamed the city Rameses. He was a prolific builder and had
great statues of himself carved into the mountain side at AbuSimbel and
other places, throughout Egypt.
Rameses was well known for his building activities (which also involved the
mysterious `Apiru as laborers). 50.
The new Pharoah was alarmed at the steady increase in the Hebrew
population.
The Israelites are more numerous and stronger than we are. Let us deal
warily with them lest they will increase still more and, in case of war, side
without enemy. (Ex.1:9-10)
Pharaoh was afraid of this non Egyptian enclave on his North Eastern border,
so he devised two strategies to control the Israelites.
Firstly, He set task masters over them to oppress them with forced labour.
(Ex.1:11)
Secondly he ordered the Egyptian midwives servicing the Israelite women, to
kill all the boys that were born. The two midwives concerned, Shiprah and
Puah have gone down in history for their courage in disobeying Pharoahs
order, and for their battle for the right to life of new born babies.
Moses drawn from the river
The liberation of the Hebrew people begins with a simple solitary act that
of a mother risking her life to save her son. Her action is the manifestation of
a mothers love. It is the rebellion of a conscience that refuses to obey an
inhuman law. It is the act of faith of a mother who anticipates the wonderful
future that God opens to a newly born infant, knowing also that children are
the future of her people. 51
Because the Royal Court had been transferred to the Delta Region, it is
probable that it was in the proximity of the Israelite area. We have the
intriguing and beautiful story of an Egyptian princess going down to bathe in
the Nile and discovering a male infant in a basket amongst the reeds.

She knew it was a Hebrew child. The sister of the male infant was following
the course of the basket and approaching the princess offered to call the
mother of the child. The princess accepted the offer and said to the mother,
Take the child and nurse him for me and I will pay you. (Ex.2:9)
When the child had grown, he was brought to Pharoahs daughter, who
adopted him as her son. She was the one who named him Moses. This was
an Egyptian suffix that meant born of, literally born of the water or of the
reeds.
In Exodus 6 we hear for the first time the names of the true parents of
Moses.
Anram married Jochebed, his aunt, who gave him two sons, Aaron and
Moses. (Ex.6:20)
It was the providence of God that ensured the liberator of the Chosen people
would be well educated in the court of Pharoah. He grew to manhood with
the best food, the best clothes, the best education, that the Royal Court had
to offer. He must have become fluent in the Egyptian tongue.
Moses was aware of his Hebrew heritage. It is never made clear in the
narrative how this came about.
After a fairly long time, Moses, by now a grown man, wanted to meet his
fellow Hebrews. He noticed how heavily they were burdened and he saw an
Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own people. He looked around and
seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. (Ex.2:11-12)
The next day he saw two Hebrews fighting and intervened. He was taken
aback when one of the antagonists said to him,
who has set you prince and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you
killed the Egyptian? (Ex.2:14)
This was devastating news. To kill an Egyptian was to incur the death
penalty. When news reached Seti I he sought to kill Moses. Realizing the
seriousness of the situation that despite being raised in Pharoahs court, his
life was in danger, he fled from Egypt to the land of Midian on the Eastern
side of the Gulf of Aqabah. This was no simple journey. It entailed many days
in the scorching heat, to cross several harsh desert areas.

There, in Midian, he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro a Midianite

priest. The Midianites were also descendants of Abraham. Moses became a
shepherd, tending Jethros flocks. He was in Midian for a long time. It is
probable that Jethro (Ruel) schooled Moses in the traditions of Abraham and
of their God. Midian was a son of Abraham by his second wife Keturah
(Gen.25:2)
The Midianites were a loose confederation of five tribes leading a roving,
nomadic life.
In the meantime Seti I had died and his place taken by Rameses II who
imposed even harsher conditions on the Israelites than had his father Seti I.
The Sons of Israel groaned under their slavery; they cried to God for help
and from their bondage their cry ascended to God. God heard their cry and
remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Ex.2:23-24)
The Burning Bush
Moses was pasturing his father-in-laws sheep on the Western side of the gulf
of Aqabah, not far from the holy mountain, Mt. Sinai (Horeb) in the southern
part of the Sinai peninsular. One evening in the distance, he could see a glow
part way up the sacred mountain. He made his way towards the mountain
and as he drew near he saw a bush burning brightly. Moses saw that,
although the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (Ex.3:2)
Then he heard his name called and the instruction,
Do not come near; take off your sandals because the place where you are
standing is holy ground. (Ex.3:5)
The voice then continued,
I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the
God of Jacob. (Ex.3:6) Moses was so stunned that he hid his face.
If God was just the God of Abraham, the Midianites and the Ishmalites could
claim him, because both peoples came from Abraham. Even the Egyptians
could lay claim after all, one of Abrahams wives, the first one to bear him a
child, was Hagar, the Egyptian. If God had said, `Abraham and Isaac, the
Edomites who were descended from Esau, could have claimed him. Instead,
God narrowed down the family lines: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. This was the
God of the people of Israel. Gods own covenant family. 52.

Go now! I am sending you to Pharoah to bring my people, the Sons of Israel,

out of Egypt. (Ex.3:10)
The Name of God
Moses was reluctant to go. He had a pending murder case against him. The
last place he wanted to go was Egypt. He wanted to know that if he went,
what name would he give to the elders, of the God who commissioned him.
`I am who I am. This is what you will say to the Sons of Israel: `I am sent
me to you. God then said to Moses,` You will say to the Israelites: `Yahweh,
the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God
of Jacob has sent me. That will be my name forever and by this name they
shall call upon me for all generations to come. (Ex.3:14-15)
I am Who Am the name of God, defies understanding. It is mysterious
and omniscient. God exists without limitation. No one can share the secret of
his person. He is above and beyond our feeble minds. He quite simply is.
The Israelites held Gods name in such profound reverence, that they
substituted the name Adonai (Lord) when mentioning Him or Elohim.
The Word Jehovah arose from a false reading of this name as it is written
in the Hebrew text. 53.
Hebrew was written right to left and used only capitals. The reader would
insert the necessary vowels. By mixing the vowels of Elohim and Adonai
with the consonants of YHWH, the Jehovah Witnesses (founded in the 19th
Cent in America) came up with the term JEHOVAH.
The four letters YHWH are called the Tetragram.
One of the false accusations given at the trial of Jesus in the house of
Caiaphas was that he used the Tetragram, the name Yahweh.
Let the witnesses speak shouts Caipahas. ` Yes, He was making use of the - we knew - - - what is the name of the king? `The Tetragram, perhaps?
`thats it! You have said it! 54.
Moses continued Reluctance
Moses was still unwilling to undertake the task assigned to him.
What if they will not believe me or listen to me. (Ex.4:1)

In reply Yahweh told Moses to throw his shepherds staff on to the ground.
When he did so, it became a serpent. Yahweh told Moses to take hold of the
serpents tail. He did so. Immediately the Serpent turned back into a
shepherds staff.
Again Yahweh said to him,` Put your hand on your chest. He put his hand on
his chest and when he took it away, his hand was covered with leprosy, white
as snow. (Ex.4:6)
When he put his hand back on his chest, it returned to normal.
Even with these miracles at his disposal, Moses claimed he was not a
speaker.
I cannot find words to express what I want to say. (Ex.4:10)
Moses persistent reluctance angered Yahweh, So He indicated that Aaron, his
brother would convey the message.
Aaron will speak for you as a prophet speaks for his god. (Ex.4:16)
Moses was forced to relent and accept his mission.
Yahweh tells Moses to perform the miraculous signs he has been shown but
that with regard to Pharoah,
I will however make him stubborn so that he will not let the people go.
(Ex.4:21)
The Return to Egypt
First, Moses had to return to Midian with the flocks he was caring for. There
he informs his father-in-law, Jethro of the great things that have happened to
him. With Jethros approval he takes his wife and two sons. This will be no
simple journey. It will take several days to return to Egypt. His earlier fears of
being apprehended for killing an Egyptian, are allayed by Yahweh.
all those who wanted to kill you are dead. (Ex.4:19)
When Moses and Aaron arrive in Egypt, they inform the Hebrew elders of
Gods design for them. The Hebrews are overwhelmed. God had seen their
suffering and would bring them freedom. The two brothers approach
Rameses II.

We have here a contest between two opposing powers: on the one side
stand the stubborn Pharoah and his crafty magicians; on the other is Yahweh,
the God of the Hebrews, who is represented by Moses and Aaron. Yahwehs
conflict is not with the gods of Egypt, but with an arrogant pharaoh who
presumptuously supposed that he was running history. - - -for according to
Egyptian religion the pharaoh was the embodiment of deity and therefore he
was believed to possess superhuman wisdom and power. 55
Moses told Pharoah that Yahweh demands that the Israelites be allowed to
leave in order that, they may hold a feast for me in the desert. (Ex.5:1)
Despite the miraculous signs worked by Moses, Pharoah refuses the request.
Not only that, but he instructs the overseers with this command,
You will no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. Let them
find it themselves; but you will exact from them the same number of bricks
as before, not one less. (Ex.5:7-8)
Why did Yahweh make Pharoahs heart stubborn?
It was to show his power. It was to force Rameses to acknowledge that
Yahweh was greater than he, Rameses, greater than the magicians, greater
than the gods of Egypt.
Moses complains to Yahweh. He and Aaron have not succeeded. Yahweh
sends them back. He will work new signs. There are several traditions
concerning plagues. Some from the P.tradition some from the E. tradition and
some from the J.tradition Blended together they constitute 10 plagues. Some
are generated in Pharoahs presence, others away from pharaoh. Altogether,
they are as follows.

1.Water to blood

4.Flies

7.Hail

2.Frogs

5.Death of Livestock

8. Locusts

3.Gnats/Mosquitoes

6.Boils

9.darkness

And the final plague Death of the Egyptian first born.

These are recounted in detail in chapters 7 to 11 in the book of Exodus,
combining all the traditions J,P and E. some modern scholars try to account

for them as natural occurrences, such as follow the yearly inundation of the
Nile or say for example the darkness being caused by a sandstorm, or the
locusts carried by the Sirocco.
This line of reasoning is erroneous. God does use nature to effect the
majority of the plagues but there are two salient points that must be heeded.
All the miracles occurred instantly at Yahwehs command and they affected
only the Egyptians. The people, the livestock and the land of the Israelites
were not touched.
Not only were the Egyptians punished but their gods also.
The plagues, too, were judgements on the gods of Egypt. The Egyptians
worshipped the Nile as a God(Hapi); God turned its water to blood. The
Egyptians worshipped a bull; god brought a plague on their cattle. The
Egyptians worhshipped a frog; God sent them so many frogs that they had to
shovel them into stinking piles of Egyptian gods. - - -After each plague,
Pharoah seemed willing to listen to reason. But as soon as Moses prayed to
God and the plague was gone, Pharoah backed out of his deal with Moses
and refused to let Israel go into the wilderness. 56
The Final Plague
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He and Aaron were to inform the people after
speaking to Pharoah.
About midnight, I shall go through Egypt and all the firstborn of Egypt shall
die, from the firstborn of Pharoah, who is heir to the throne, to the first born
of the servant behind the mill and the first born of the animals. There will be
great wailing throughout all Egypt, such as has never been before and never
will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will howl for the death of
either man or beast. (Ex.11:4-7)
Chapter 12 of Exodus is a later insertion by the redactor from the Priestly P
tradition. The ritual for celebrating the first and all subsequent. Passover
meals was clearly laid out. Each family was to
select a perfect lamb, without blemish. On that evening all the people will
slaughter their lambs and take some of the blood to put on the doorposts
and on top of the doorframes - - - that night you will eat the flesh roasted at
the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. - - - - do not leave any of it
until the morning. - - You will eat with a belt around your waist, sandals on

your feet and a staff in your hands - - - you shall eat hastily for it is a
Passover in honour of Yahweh. (Ex.12:5-11)
We are told (Ex.12:28) that the people went away and did what Yahweh had
commanded Moses and Aaron to tell them. Was this ritual unprecedented?
the ancestors of the Hebrews, when wandering with their flocks, before they
stayed in Egypt, celebrated each year the Pasch of the Lamb, the
traditional feast of the shepherds. They sacrificed a lamb on the first moon of
spring, a critical period for the ewes, which had just given birth. The lamb set
aside for the feast was kept for several days in the same place where the
people were, so that it could be better identified with the family and carry
the sins of all its members. Later, the camping tents were sprinkled with its
blood to drive away the deadly spirits that threatened people and
animals. 57.
Other ordinances related to the Paschal Lamb are recorded in another
tradition.
No foreigner is to eat it, except the slave who has been circumcised after
having been bought. He may eat it. But not so the temporary resident or the
hired worker. The lamb must be eaten inside the house and nothing of it shall
be taken outside. Do not break any of its bones. (Ex.12:43-46)
This last prescription regarding the bones, would have implications far into
the future, on
Mt. Golgotha.
In the middle of the night Yahweh struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, both
of men and of animals. There was mourning throughout the land.
Pharaoh and his officials got up in the night and Moses was called to the
palace.
Get up and go from among my people - - go and worship Yahweh as you
have said! Take your sheep and cattle and bless me too. (Ex.12:31-32)
The request for Moses to bless Pharoah was on indication of Pharoahs
capitulation in the face of the overwhelming power of Yahweh.
The Hebrews asked for and received gifts of gold, silver and clothes from the
Egyptians. These gifts were given willingly. Small recompense for their years
of unpaid slavery.

The Exodus
Moses led the vast conglomeration of men and beast from the city of
Rameses to the city of Succoth, about 25 miles south east of Rameses. The
author states catergorically.
about six hundred thousand of them on the march, counting men only and
not the children. A great number of other peoples of all descriptions went
with them, as well as sheep and cattle in droves. (Ex.12:37-38)
No one accepts 600,000 as a valid tally. The group was much smaller. Even
then, the multitude of animals would have meant a fairly slow pace for the
migration.
other peoples of all descriptions could indicate that not only Hebrews were
involved. Some could well have been tribes people from Canaan. Some even
could have been Egyptians who were frightened by the ten plagues and
wished to flee the rule of Rameses II. He in all probability enslaved many
Egyptians to fulfill his desire for buildings and huge monuments. We dont
know for sure as there are no details in the written account.
For the Herbews escaping from Rameses, there was virtually only one route
that avoided the Egyptian observation posts South of Lake Balah and the
important fortress of Zilu astride the Way of the Philistines. That route led
through the swampy regions of lake Balah. This shallow lake has the best
claim to be Yum Sup the Sea of Reeds. 58.
Moses fulfilled a long standing obligation. He
took with him the bones of Joseph. (Ex.13:19) the son of the Patriarch
Jacob. Later they would be buried at Shechem. (Jos.24:32)
Shekinah
Here we have one of the most dramatic interventions of Yahweh in the
history of the chosen people. It was the conspicuous manifestation of Gods
presence to his people. The J. Tradition states,
By day Yahweh went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide them along the
way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, enabling them to travel
day and night. (Ex.13:21)

When Pharoah and his ministers realized that the building program in the
Nile Delta was now bereft of labour, the enormity of the situation became
apparent.
What have we done, `they said in allowing Israel to go and be free of our
service? (Ex.14:5)
He immediately assembled an army of 600 chariots and auxiliary units and
gave chase. Moving rapidly he caught up with the motley band of Hebrews
near Piharhiroth. (This place has never been identified.) the people were
terrified.
The Shekinah moved from the front of the column to the rear, between the
camps of the Israelites and the Egyptians. (Ex.14:20) the Hebrews had their
backs to the Sea. Neither group could see the other.
There are two accounts of the battle that followed. According to the Priestly
account,
Moses divided the sea by the rod and Israel walked through on dry land, the
waters being a wall on their right and left. When Israel got to the other side,
Moses raised his hand and the walls of water crashed in on the Egyptian
army, wiping them out.
According to the J account, (Yahweist) Yahweh, the storm god, drove back
the sea long enough for Israel to cross in the night and then the sea returned
to its wonted flow in the morning. 59.
We can believe either account. The main point is that Yahweh intervenes and
saves his people. There are no Egyptian records that indicate the death of
Rameses II by drowning, the loss of his substantial army, or the escape of a
large population of slaves from the Delta region. All of these would have
been an embarrassment to Egyptian authorities.
The rout of the Egyptians was so complete that a joyous song of victory is
composed. It is reported to have been sung by Moses and the people. Some
of the peoples mentioned only occur in the later chronicles of the conquest of
Canaan.
The poem however is older than Davids conquest of Jerusalem in the early
10th Century. 60.
When did the Exodus occur?

Records show Rameses II was Pharoah between 1290-1224 BC 61. So

traditionally it is believed to have occurred about 1250 BC. Another scholar
places the event ca. 1446 BC. (S.Hahn) if he is correct, then it is putting the
reign of Rameses about 250 years earlier than is currently accepted.
Trials in the Desert
Leaving the Sea of Reeds the Israelites
walked in the desert for three days without finding water. (Ex.15:22)
They arrived at Marah, but the water there was too bitter to drink. The
people grumbled against Moses, so Moses prayed to Yahweh for help.
Yahweh showed him a piece of wood and when he threw it into the water, not
only did it became fit to drink, but it was sweet also.
This grumbling by the people was to become a feature of the Israelites
journey through the Arabian peninsular. While the grumbling was aimed at
Moses, it was in fact a series of complaints against Yahweh. Mind you, some
of the complaints were justified. The little food and water brought from Egypt
would not last long. In the desert, water was an important commodity. The
lack of it would have serious consequences for man and beast.
After a months journey the Israelites reached the wilderness of sin. Their
food supplies had been exhausted, so they complained again to Moses about
the lack of food. Moses called again on Yahweh who, appeased the
multitudes hunger by sending quails and Manna.
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp. And in the morning,
dew had fallen around the camp. When the dew lifted, there was on the
surface of the desert a thin crust of hoarfrost. (Ex.16:13-14)
The quail is a small edible bird about twice the size of a sparrow. It is limited
in distance of flight, but is known to occur in some numbers along the
Eastern edge of the Gulf of Suez.
What was Manna? It was white, like Corianda seed and it tasted like wafers
made with honey. (Ex.16:31)
Coriander seeds are small round aromatic seeds of bright brown colour. 62.
Whatever the origin of the Manna, both it and the quails are miraculous
events. They last for the entire sojourn of the Israelites in the Arabian
Peninsular and are in sufficient quantities to feed the Israelites. The number

of Israelites is unknown. One estimate is 70 original members of Jacobs

family with approx. 14 generations of descendants. (a generation is
calculated by 30 years) The Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years. (Ex.12:40)
Their population growth would double every 30 years or more. A figure of
200,000 people would not be unreasonable. However, even this would seem
far too high to be sustained in the desert. Calculating the population in the
Exodus is a fruitless exercise.
No mention is made in Exodus of feed for livestock. Nor is there mention of
them as a source of food for the Israelites. Doubtless, some were consumed.
With the manna, there were corresponding instructions. It was to be
collected on six mornings but not on the seventh. On the sixth day, the
leftovers were to be kept for the Rest Day or the Sabbath for there would
be no manna on the seventh day. On the six days leading to the Sabbath, the
manna was to be completely consumed on days 1 to 5. Any left over for the
next morning became unfit to eat. On the morning of the sixth day this law
did not apply, collecting a double measure was permitted. They ate this
manna for 40 years until they came to Canaan. (Ex.16:35)
The Bedouin of the Sinai called the honey like droppings from the Tamarish
tree. Maan. The Hebrews associated the hearfrost they were eating as ma
hu. Something similar to the Bedouin Mann. Mahu is translated this is
manna.
When the Israelites moved to Rephidin there was no water there to drink.
The same grumbling occurred. Moses cried to Yahweh. He was instructed to
take his staff and strike the rock at the foot of a mountain. When he did so,
water flowed from the rock.
The place was called Massa and Meriba, because of the complaints of the
Israelites, who tested Yahweh saying, is Yahweh with us or not? (Ex.17:7)
While they were camped at Rephidim, a beduoin tribe called Amalekites
attacked them. The Israelites fought back under the leadership of Joshua and
Moses works wonders, holding his rod in the air with both hands. (Ex.17:1013) God grants the Israelites victory.
Moses was joined in the camp by his wife and two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.
Jethro, his father-in-law came with them.
Each day when the Israelites were in camp.

Moses took his seat to administer justice for the people who stood around
him, from morning till night. (Ex.18:13)
Jethro saw the heavy demand made on Moses and made a sensible
suggestion.
Choose among the people capable, God fearing men, men of truth who hate
a bribe, and appoint them as leaders of a thousand, a hundred, fifty and ten.
They will administer justice at all times, bringing to your attention cases of
major importance. (Ex.18:21-22)
Moses did as his father-in-law had suggested.

Section 5

Sinai

Exactly two months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived at the foot of
Mt. Sinai. There they camped. Yahweh spoke to Moses on the mountain.
if you listen to me and keep my covenant, you shall be my very own
possession among all the nations. For all the earth is mine, but you will be for
me, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Ex.19:5-6)
They were to prepare themselves by washing themselves and their garments
and be ready for the third day. They were to
Take care not to go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches
the mountain will die. (Ex.19:12)
There is some uncertainty about the place of Mt. Sinai. Traditionally the early
Christians believed the peak called locally Jebel Musa was the mountain
where Moses saw the burning bush and received the ten commandments.
A Christian Emperor Justinian, is reported to have built the monastery of St.
Catherine, that can be found at the foot of Jebel Musa today
(c.550
AD) 63.
On the third day the people assembled at the foot of the mountain.

Mount Sinai was completely covered in smoke because Yahweh had come
down in fire and the smoke rose as from a furnace. The whole mountain
shook violently while the blast of the trumpet became louder and louder.
Moses spoke and God replied in thunder. (Ex.19:18-19)
On the summit of the mountain Moses received the ten commandments.
Read (Ex.20:1-17). They are listed there.
For those who worshipped carved images there would be a severe
punishment on the perpetrator and his descendents down to the third
generation.
For the sin of the fathers when they rebel against me I punish the sons, the
grandsons and the great-grandsons. (Ex.20:5)
The Decalogue is also found in Deut. 5:6-21 with slight changes - - the
numeration of the commandments differs slightly in the tradition. Anglican,
Greek, and Reformed traditions reckon the prohibitions against false worship
as two, whereas the Lutheran and Roman Catholic traditions count them as
one and divide the last commandment into two. 64.
The Theophany terrified the people they trembled with fear and kept at a
distance. (Ex.20:18)
The Covenant Code
Following the Decalogue, the redactor has inserted a long section containing
important social laws. Some come from the Sinai event. Others have been
adapted from the customs of the peoples of Canaan, after the conquest.
1. Injunctions regarding the shrine. (Ex.20:22-26)
No statues of deities are permitted in Yahwehs presence.
2. Judgements regarding Hebrew slaves. (Ex.21:1-11)
An Israelite could be born a slave or fall into slavery through sale by
the parents or through debt payments or failure to make restitution for
theft. The male Hebrew slave is to be freed after six years. If the
master wishes a female slave as a concubine for himself or his son, she
is not released but given the full right as one of his own daughters. If
she displeases the master she may be redeemed by her own family.
3. Judgements concerning capital crimes. (Ex.21:12-17)
For willful murder, the blood avenger, the nearest kinsman retaliates
by taking the life of the murderer. For cases of manslaughter,
accidental killing, the state provides cities of refuge. The offender is

safe but he must remain there. This is the origin also of the Lex
Talionis the law of the talon.
But if there is serious injury you are to take life for life, eye for eye,
tooth for tooth, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for
bruise. (Ex.21:23)
Such a law came only after the Exile and was not uncommon in
Middle Eastern cultures. It is a very old law in some cultures, e.g. it is
found in the code of Hammurabi. (Babylon.1728-1686 BC)
4. Lesser crimes (Ex.21:18-Ex.22:13)
Harm caused by humans, ones animals or neglect where in the victim
can still walk, a money penalty will be paid. If ones animals destroy
anothers property compensation must be paid. If a fire is lit and burns
the fields of another, then the damage must be paid for. Slaves have
no status. If a slave is beaten by a master but lives, the master goes
unpunished. If an upper class person injures a commoner, the Lex
Talionis does not apply. A money penalty suffices.
If anything is borrowed and is injured, e.g. an ox, then
compensation must be paid to the owner. Thieves who are caught,
must pay double restitution, if he cannot pay, he is sold into slavery to
pay his debt.
All of these regulate society and are based on the Middle Eastern
concept of Justice. (Ex.22:15-18)

5. Judgements concerning crimes of a sexual nature

The seduction of a maiden is serious. The man must marry the girl. If
the father disapproves then the seducer must still pay the Bride Price
as the girl is now less eligible for marriage. Whoever has sexual
relations with an animal shall die.
6. Various social and culture laws (Ex.21:22-23:12)
Widows and orphans are to be protected.
A financial loan is to relieve distress of a fellow Israelite. No
interest is to be charged.
The firstborn son is to be redeemed with an animal sacrifice.
The first born of animals and the first fruits of the field belong to
Yahweh.
If any of your enemies animals strays, return it to the owner.
Do not take a bribe.
Do not oppress the stranger.
Let the land lie fallow in the seventh year.

All your household including slaves and animals are to rest on

the seventh day.
The feasts in honour of Yahweh. (Ex.23:14-19)

The feasts are all requiring pilgrimage to the Temple. This assumes that the
author is writing Post Exile i.e. 535 BC on to 70 AD (when the temple was
permanently destroyed by the Romans)
The first feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the people
would eat unleavened bread. This was an old tradition. Later it was combined
with the Passover, which had additional rules for the Passover meal.
(Ex.12:3-11, 43-47)
The victim for the feast had to be slaughtered at the temple. All who took
part in the solemnity would depart on the evening after the Passover meal in
memory of the Exodus.
The second Feast took place at the wheat harvest, seven weeks after the
first cereals were cut. It is the Feast of Pentecost. Later it became
significant as a reminder of the Sinai covenant.
The third Feast was the Feast of Ingathering when all the harvests were
gathered in from the fields. It was an agricultural feast of joy and thanks to
God for a bountiful harvest. While the harvest was being gathered the people
rested in simple shelters. So it became the Feast of huts. Later it took on
another significance. It reminded the people of their sojourn in the desert. It
acquired three other names: -The Feast of Booths, the Feast of Tents and
the Feast of Tabernacles. It lasted seven days and required animal
sacrifices and general assemblies for worship.

Blessings
If the people honour the Covenant Yahweh will make with them then they will
be a blessed people. They will be constantly guided by Yahweh.
See I am sending my angel before you to keep you safe on the way and
bring you to the place I have made ready. (Ex.23:20)
The condition for the blessings is obedience during the journey, to the angel
who is Yahweh himself. 65.
What are the blessings?

Yahweh will grant them food and water.

He will keep sickness away from the people.
The women will not miscarriage or be childless.
All people will fulfill their years.
The enemies they encounter will flee before them.
When they come to Canaan, they will take possession of it little by
little.

The Sealing of the Covenant

There are two traditions. In the first one there is a sacred banquet on Mt.
Sinai.
Then he said to Moses `go up to Yahweh, you Aaron, Nadab and Abihu with
seventy of the elders of Israel and let them worship at a distance. (Ex.24:1)
In a way that is not related, all these representatives of the people became
aware of Yahwehs presence. They could not see the face of God but they
were conscious of a divine manifestation. They became witnesses to the
event and could verify the words of Moses to the people. They looked on
God and ate and drank. (Ex.24:11)
In the second ratification of the Covenant there is a blood rite. Bullocks are
sacrificed,
And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins and with the other half of
the blood he sprinkled it on the altar. He then took the Book of the Covenant
and read it in the hearing of the people. They all said, `all that Yahweh said
we shall do and obey, Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it on the
people saying,
`Here is the blood of the Covenant that Yahweh has made with you in
accordance with all these words. (Ex.24:6-8) The words that the people
agreed to were the Ten commandments and the judgments and
prescriptions of the Covenant code.
The Tablets of the Law
Yahweh calls Moses to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the slabs of stone on
which God himself has inscribed the Decalogue.
The glory of Yahweh appeared like a consuming fire on top of the
mountain. (Ex.24:17)

Moses stayed there for forty days and forty nights. Yahweh instructed Moses
on the construction of a suitable sanctuary for Yahweh to manifest his
presence in, so that the people understood that Yahweh was with them. They
were also to construct an Ark made according to divine specifications,
including a mercy seat and two golden cherubim. In addition, the people
were to make a table, lampstands (decorated) and a Holy Tent. As well as
these, they were to furnish an altar of holocaust, priestly vestments and an
Ephod with a breast piece of Judgement for the High Priest to wear. On the
breast piece would be attached the Urim and Thummin, a device for
making decisions which the High Priest would wear when he comes before
Yahweh in the Holy of Holies the inner sanctuary.
Yahweh described in detail to Moses, the ceremony for consecrating Aaron
and his sons as the priestly line to serve in the Sanctuary every day. They
were to be formally dressed in their priestly vestments and then Moses was
to anoint Aaron and his son.
Take the chrism oil and pour it on his head and so anoint him. (Ex.29:7)
The same applied to the sons. There were to be suitable sacrifices of a bull
and two rams, officiated by Aaron and his sons according to specific
directions.
An important component of the sanctuary was an altar of Incense. Each
morning and evening Aaron was to burn incense in honour of Yahweh. Once a
year a sacrifice would be offered on this altar for the sins of the people. It
would be the Day of Atonement.
For the upkeep of the sanctuary, commonly referred to as the Tent of
Meeting, each male over the age of twenty years was to pay a set sum. In
the time of Christ, it was two drachmas.
The rich man is not to give more, nor the poor man less, when they pay the
amount for their lives. (Ex.30:15)
What did this oil of chrism compose of that was to be used for anointing?
Yahweh gave Moses a list of the ingredients according to weights. They
were : - liquid myrrh, cinnamon, scented cane, cassia and olive oil. (Ex.30:2324)
Not only were the High Priest and his sons to be anointed with it ,but also the
Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of sacrifice, the altar of
incense and all the furnishings in the Tent of Meeting.

The Mass of details contained in chapters 25 to 31 in the book of Exodus was

not meant to excite the reader, but was vital for the religious structure of the
Israelites. There were very concrete prescriptions for the liturgical worship of
Yahweh.
The golden plate, covering the top of the box (the Ark) to which was
attached the Cherubim throne, was the most sacred object in the dwelling;
here God was enthroned invisibly, meeting and speaking to the people
through Moses. 66.
The vestments of the high priest Aaron require some clarification.
The `ephod seems to be a close fitting waist coat with shoulder straps, with
a decorated band around the waist to hold it. On each shoulder piece were
onyx stones with the names of the sons of Jacob, the tribes, according to
their order of birth; thus the high priest brought all of Israel into the divine
presence. - - - the Urim and Thummim were sacred lots, each apparently
assigned a description `yes or no; these lots were cast when an oracle was
sought. 67.
Idolatry the Molten Calf
Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. The people
began to wonder if they would ever move camp. As far as they were
concerned Moses was gone. Despite having agreed to the terms of the
Covenant and promising to abide by the laws of the Decalogue, the very first
failure the people committed was to break the first law concerning
worshipping false gods.
They prevailed upon the weak kneed Aaron to make for them a god to
worship and lead them on their journey. He called for the women young and
old, to bring their gold earrings and he would fashion a god like the
Canaanites and Egyptians had. He would make a golden calf. This he did and
an altar also on which to sacrifice burnt offerings.
The people turned to revelry, eating, drinking and dancing. They bowed
down before the idol claiming it was the god that brought them out of Egypt.
Yahweh was aware of what was happening in the Israelite camp. He ordered
Moses to go down from Mt. Sinai and rectify the matter. In his fury, Yahweh
threatened to wipe out the Israelites. Moses calmed the anger of God by
recalling the covenant He, Yahweh, had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
promising to make their descendents

like the stars of heaven. (Ex.32:13)

Moses descended the mountain and carried with him the tablets of stone
bearing the writing of God.
when he drew near to the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger
burst forth and he threw the slabs from his hands and shattered them
against the base of the mountain. Then he seized the calf they had made
and burned it in the fire, grinding it into powder that he scattered over the
surface of the water, and this he made the Israelites drink. (Ex.32:19-20)
Moses stood at the gate of the camp and cried out, `all those for Yahweh
come to me.
The sons of Levi rallied to him. He ordered them to go through the camp and
slay all those who worshipped the golden calf.
and that day about three thousand men fell. (Ex.32:28)
But Yahweh was not satisfied, so he punished the people with a plague.
Moses had the sanctuary and its furnishings built and placed it outside the
camp. As soon as Moses entered the Tent of Meeting, the pillar of cloud
came down and remained at the entrance. This indicated that Yahweh spoke
with Moses.
face to face, as a man speaks with his neighbor. (Ex.33:11
When Moses asked to see the glory of God, (Ex.33:11)
Yahweh warned him that if he saw the face of God he would be so enraptured
that he would die. Instead he covered Moses with his hand and passed by
Moses ,allowing him only a passing glimpse.
You shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. (Ex.33:23)
The Second Tablets engraved.
Yahweh commanded Moses to carve two tablets of stone like the ones he had
destroyed and take them to the top of Mt. Sinai. There in the presence of
Yahweh, he wrote down the commands dictated to him by God.
When he returned to the people,
he was not aware that the skin of his face was radiant after speaking with
Yahweh. (Ex.34:29)

Because of the luminous visage of Moses, the people were afraid to go near
him. When he finished speaking to Aaron and the leaders of the community,
he covered his face with a veil.
Moses took the new tablets of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark.
(Ex.40:20) when all the arrangements had been made under Moses
supervision, (Chaps. 35-39 of Exodus)
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of Yahweh filled
the Holy Tent. (Ex.40:34)
This was the Shekinah the sign of Gods presence among his people.
At every stage of their journey, whenever the cloud rose from the Holy Tent,
the people of Israel would continue their march. If the cloud did not rise, they
waited and would not move their camp until it did. (Ex.40:36-37)
Nine months after arriving at Sinai, the dwelling is erected at divine
direction - - - The journey to Canaan may now begin with Yahweh leading.
68.

Section Six

Leviticus

This book of the Penteteuch is almost completely with laws and rubrics. To
the Western reader it would be quite boring, yet it is essential to the Hebrew
understanding of holiness.

It served as the liturgical handbook of the Levitical priesthood.

The book is the work of many hands engaged through the centuries in
adapting laws, rituals and feasts to the needs of successive eras.
In its present form, it is to be dated to the period after the return from
exile. (538 BC) 69.

Many of the sections start with the phrase, Yahweh spoke to Moses
This gives the impression that Moses had actually dictated these laws. In
actual fact the laws were written well after Moses time. The authors are
trying to convey the idea that the Law embodies the spirit of Sinai.
When the book was collated, the Jewish people worshipped Yahweh in the
Temple in Jerusalem.
The Offerings

1. The Burnt Offering

The donor would place his hand on the head of the victim as a sacrifice
to take away sins. He would slaughter the beast and the Priest would
pour the blood on the sides of the altar of sacrifice. The beast would be
skinned by the donor and quartered.
The head and the fat as well as all the internal organs and body parts
were totally consumed in the fire.
Its sweet smelling odor will please Yahweh. (Lev.1:9)
Any animal so offered be it bull, sheep or goat had to be without any
physical defect.
2. The Grain Offering
The offerer would bring to the altar, fine flour, oil and incense. A
handful of the flour together with oil and all the incense shall be burnt
on the altar; the rest of the flour would belong to the priests.
If the grain offering was a loaf of bread, it was to be prepared without
leaven. Part of it would be burnt with olive oil. The rest would be for the
priests.
Leaven, because it produced fermentation, was viewed as an agent of
decomposition and could not be used in sacrificial offerings. - - -Honey
too, despite its extensive use by the ancients, was seen as a corrupting
agent because of its animal origins, was also considered unfit for
sacred use. 70.
3. The Peace Offering
This offering is geared to maintaining peaceful and harmonious
relations between the offerer, his family and Yahweh. The animal
sacrificed has the offerers hands imposed on its head; it is
slaughtered; the blood is sprinkled on the side of the altar by the
priests and the internal organs and all the fat burnt as a holocaust to
Yahweh. The remainder of the beast was shared between the offerer
and the priests. With regard to the fat,
All the fat belongs to Yahweh. This is a law forever for all your
descendents, wherever they may live: never eat either fat or blood.
(Lev. 3:17)

As time passed the regulation on fat came to apply to animals offered

on sacrifice only.
4. Offering for Unintentional Sin
This referred to an offense against one of the commandments which
was not intended. Its purpose is to restore the relationship between the
offerer and Yahweh. The animal is treated in the same way as a
holocaust victim with the fat and internal organs burnt on the altar, its
blood aspersed against the altar, but the main parts of the animal
burnt outside the temple.
If it is the High Priest who has sinned, then it was believed that the
whole community was affected. The sin offering was the same, but the
priest did not partake of any section of the animal sacrificed.
If the community sinned, then all the elders would be called to lay
hands on the head of the animal to be sacrificed. When it was
slaughtered, it was to be completely burnt. The elders did not partake
of the meat.
5. Specific Sins
There were some specific sins that required a burnt sacrifice for sin.
If a person sees a wrong committed and does not speak up when
summoned to court.
Accidentally touching something unclean e.g. the dead body of a
person or animal.
Swearing a foolish oath.
if the offender could not afford a sheep or goat for the sin offering, he
may bring to the priests,
Two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sacrifice for sin and
the other for a burnt offering. (Lev.5:7)
For cheating or not returning a neighbours deposit
The offender must return the deposit or the lost property he denies finding
and add an additional one fifth of its value. Then he must offer a burnt
sacrifice for the sin he has committed.
The Regulations for the Priests
The specific actions of the priests for each of the above types of sacrifice
are now spelled out in more detail in chapters 6:1 to 7:10. Special

instructions for the lay participants in the communion sacrifices are added on
in 7:11-36. - - In these particular sacrifices, the offerer and his party ritually
ate most of the sacrificed animal - - those who brought sacrifices, their
obligation (was) to supply a portion to the priests for their livelihood. 71.
The Ordination of Aaron and his sons
This was first mentioned in Exodus Chapter 29. Now we are given the
ceremonies in specific detail in chapter 8 of Leviticus.
Moses calls the ordinands to the front of the Tent of Meeting. In sight of the
whole community Moses ritually washes them with water. Then taking Aaron
first, he robes him in the clothes of the High Priest. The Ephod, the
breastpiece, the turban which are all part of the regal finery of the High
Priest. Then taking the anointing oil, Moses anoints the holy tent, the altars
and furnishings, consecrating them all to Yahweh. Then finally he anoints
Aaron to the sacred and holy office of High Priest.
There follows the clothing and anointing of Aarons sons. Their clothing is less
regal in nature than the apparel of their father.
Sacrifices must follow. All of them are offered by Moses. There are three. The
first is an offering for sin (v.14-17), the second is a full burnt holocaust (v.1821) and the third a special ordination, sacrifice (v.22-36)
When the ordination rites were completed Moses told Aaron and his sons that
now they were consecrated to Yahweh and therefore,
For seven days you must not leave the Entrance of the Tent of Meeting
until the time of your ordination is over, for your hands will be consecrated
for seven days. (Lev.8:33)
When the ram for the sacrifice of ordination had been slaughtered, Moses did
a strange thing. As part of the ritual,
he made Aaron and his sons come forward and taking some of the blood of
the ram,
he put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ear, the thumbs of their
right hands and the big toes of their right feet.
This is a rather odd ritual. Yet it is found later prescribed for the purification
ceremony for leprosy. (Lev.14:14-18) What is its significance?

The exact significance of the extremities may well have symbolized the
sanctification of the whole man just as the altar was sanctified by spreading
blood on its outermost parts. 72.
On the eighth day, Aaron and his sons performed their first sacrificial
offerings in the sight of the assembled people. Then Aaron raised his hands
toward the people and imparted a blessing to them.
The glory of Yahweh appeared to the whole people. A flame leapt forth from
before Yahweh and consumed the burnt offering and the fat that was on the
altar. At this sight, the people shouted for joy and fell on their faces.
(Lev.9:23-24)
Nadab and Abihu
Straight after their ordination the older sons of Aaron commit a sacrilege.
They do not heed the rules set down by Yahweh for the offering of sacrifice.
The results are disastrous and a grave warning to all the people. Follow the
rules or else.
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, each took his censer, put fire in it and
incense on the fire and presented unlawful fire before Yahweh, fire which he
had not commanded them to present. Then from Yahwehs presence a flame
leaped out and burned them to death in the presence of Yahweh. (Lev.10:12)
Their sin apparently involves using embers from an unapproved source
instead of the altar. 73.
Aarons oldest sons have been incinerated in his very sight. Yet he is not
permitted to mourn their deaths. The sons of Aarons uncle Uzziel are called
by Moses and ordered to remove the remains of Nadab and Abihu to a place
outside the camp where they are buried without ceremony. This has been a
stark reminder to all that Yahweh is a god of Justice and truly a consuming
fire. He is a God of holiness and demands holiness from all his chosen
people.
The Laws of Purity
These deal with four separate types of uncleanness associated with living
beings.
1. (Lev.11:1-47) Animals

You may eat any animal that has divided hoofs, divided into two parts,
and that also chews the cud. (11:3)
Excluded then were camels, rabbits, hares and above all pigs.
Of all that lives in water you may eat anything that has fins and
scales. (11:9)
This eliminated all eels, sharks, dolphins, crocodiles, sting rays, shell
fish and inhabitants of reefs e.g. Crustaceans.
Of the birds that were prohibited, the list is a large one. Forbidden for
food were the raptors, owls, pelicans, storks, seagulls, herons and bats.
Of the winged insects, Locusts, crickets and grasshoppers were
permitted as food. Any winged insects with four legs were forbidden.
Of the small animals and reptiles, all the following were excluded: rats, mice, geckos, chameleon, agama, skink and the mole.
Excluded also were swarming creatures, snakes, and multi legged
ground dwellers.
Why all these prohibitions?
All the animals prohibited were seen to lack holiness. These censures
were to remind the Israelites that they were a holy people, a people
set apart from their neighbours.
The most abhorrent of the prohibited animals was undoubtedly the
pig. It was commonly used in Canaanite tribes as a sacrifice to idols.

2. Childbirth (Lev.12:1-8)
Childbirth requires the loss of bodily fluids from the woman, especially
blood. The placenta, when expelled, has to be disposed of. The mother
who has given birth to a child is considered ritually unclean. This is a
concept totally foreign to modern society. Childbirth is a time of joy.
The wonderful privilege of becoming a mother is hailed as the greatest
contribution a woman can make to the human race. It should be
remembered also that the whole process is often fraught with risk and
danger. Yet to the Israelites it was a time of uncleanness.
When a woman gives birth to a male child, she shall be unclean for
seven days as in the days of her monthly period. On the eighth day the
child is to be circumcised; then she shall wait for thirty three days to be
purified of her bleeding. - - If she gives birth to a daughter she shall be unclean for two weeks as
in her menstruation; then she shall wait sixty six days to be purified
from her bleeding. (Lev.12:1-5)

Why the difference between the time of purification for a male child as
opposed to that for a female child?
As in many societies, even today in the 21st century, the birth of a male
heir is vitally important for the name of the family. It is seen as an
occasion of strength and vitality. On the other hand, the birth of a
daughter is considered a handicap. Being the weaker sex she is seen
as a drain on the families resources, particularly in cultures requiring
bride price or a dowry. To the western mind all this is ridiculous.
However the key to the uncleanness of the childbirth, be it male or
female is linked with the loss of blood. This causes separation from
Yahweh. The womans vitality, linked with her blood was considered
diminished in childbirth.
3. Contagious Diseases (Lev.13:1-14:57)
Many of the complaints and skin diseases listed in this section did not
refer specifically to genuine leprosy or more correctly, Hansens
disease.
The priests were the only ones with the authority to call a person
clean or unclean. They were like the dermatologists in todays
medical clinics. They needed to have a considerable degree of
competence and common sense. They had to identify passing
infections such as boils, rashes, eczema, ulcers and burns from the
contagious leprosy.
In general, if the skin was white, then the person was considered
cured, i.e. clean. During the time of healing for passing infections the
person had to remain away from the community. When the people
were urbanized, this meant remaining outside the city.
The priest did not act as a physician. He could not prescribe a remedy
for the problem. He was a judge and interpreter of the law. That was
his function.
If the condition being assessed was in fact leprosy, then the
consequences were severe.
a person infected with leprosy must wear torn clothing and leave his
hair uncombed; he must cover his upper lip and cry unclean,
unclean. As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and
therefore he must live away from others; he must live outside the
camp. (Lev.13:45-46)
Leprosy is caused by the bacteria, Mycrobacterium Leprae. It is
difficult to detect by tissue cultures and blood samples. It develops
very slowly and attacks the skin and the nerves. People infected with

it, lose the sense of feeling in those parts affected. Extremities, toes
and fingers fall off. Grotesque disfigurement affects the face of the
victim and lumps and swellings appear on many parts of the body. Yet
it does not kill the victim. Even today, doctors do not know how the
bacteria is transmitted. However, long term exposure to untreated
victims will eventually transfer the disease to others.
For the ancients it was a terrible affliction. There was no cure. Today we
have antibiotics that kill the bacteria over a long regime of therapy.
However, the damage to skin and body cannot be repaired.
How great must have been the joy of lepers healed by Christ. Included
amongst his apostles was Simon the Zealot whom Christ cured of
this dreadful disease.
It is a wonder that any victims in ancient times were cured at all. Yet
the book of Leviticus includes a ritual of purification for that specific
disease.
It begins with the killing of one live bird and sprinkling the person with
its blood. The second bird is allowed to go free. After seven days, the
person affected must make a guilt offering of two lambs and a grain
offering. One of the lambs sacrificed has its blood used to anoint the
affected person on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right
hand and the big toe of the right foot. This same ritual has been
mentioned already in the ritual of ordination (Lev.8:24). But there is an
important addition for the purification from leprosy. The sacred oil is
used to anoint the same parts of the body and as the blood, and the
remainder of the oil poured over the shaven head of the person.
(Lev.14:14-18)
Then the person will be declared clean when the final sacrifice is made
of a sin offering. i.e. another lamb slaughtered and burnt as a
holocaust to Yahweh.
For the Israelites there was also Leprosy of the house and leprosy of
the clothes. This was in fact simply mildew. If after washing and
cleaning the walls of the house or the items of clothing, the mildew
returns, then the house must be destroyed and the clothing burnt.
Today we would use Lysol or bleach or some other anti mildew
chemical.
4. Sexual Impurities (Lev.15:1-33)

This referred to any male discharge including seminal flow and any
form of blood discharge from a woman. It also included any male who
slept with a woman during her menstrual flow.
Anything or person touched by the affected male or female became
unclean i.e. unholy. Clothing and beds of the individuals were to be
washed and normally the uncleanness lasted until evening. In the
case of menstrual flow for the woman and seminal discharge for the
man, the uncleanness lasted seven days. If the discharge ceases,
then in both cases the affected persons must offer before the priests a
sin offering and a burnt offering. All of this would seem pedantic to
us today but for the Israelites the keeping of these rules was
important. Any break in these rules was an offense against the
profound holiness of Yahweh.
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
This begins with Aaron bathing himself then putting on most of the sacred
linen vestments including the Turban, but not the Ephod.
He is first to atone for his own sins and the sins of his household. To this end
he will sacrifice a bullock without blemish as a sin offering. Then he will
bring forward two male goats and choosing by lot, slaughter one as a sin
offering for the people. He will take a censer with coals from the altar of
sacrifice and offer holy incense inside the Holy of Holies. Taking the blood of
the bull slaughtered for his own sin offering and the blood of the male goat,
(the sin offering for the people), he will sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat of the
Ark and also on the Tent of Meeting. Leaving the Holy of Holies he will take
some of the blood from both animals and sprinkle it on the horns and sides of
the altar of sacrifice. In this way the altar will be cleansed of the sins of the
Israelites and consecrated to Yahweh.
Bringing forward the live goat,
He shall lay his hands on the head of the goat and confess over it all the
wickedness of the sons of Israel and all the sins they have committed against
me. So he will charge them on the head of the goat and send it away to the
wilderness by the hand of an assistant. (Lev.16:21)
Then Aaron must remove his garments as they have been contaminated with
uncleanness when he touched the live goat. He must bathe and put on
new priestly robes, then return and offer the burnt offering for himself and
the people of Israel.

The man who releases the scapegoat to Azazel shall wash his clothes and
bathe himself with water, after which he may re-enter the camp. (Lev.16:26)
Azazel is the demon whom the Israelites believed inhabited the desert.
The Day of Atonement was a special day for the chosen people. It had to
be carried out on a specific day of the year. It was the only feast wherein the
whole populace, including slaves, were to fast. It was also a Sabbath of
solemn rest. It was a lasting sacred ordinance for all ages.
The Actual rite is probably pre Israelite. Similar ceremonies of transferring
the sins of the people onto animals and then slaughtering them were known
in many ancient cultures, including those of both Babylon and Rome.
Similarly, smearing the blood of a sacrificial animal on the walls of a temple
to purify it was done at Babylon. 74.
The Holiness Code
The book of Leviticus can be divided into two distinct sections. Part 1
containing chapters 1 to 15 ends in Chapter 16. It deals with matters directly
related to priestly activities. Part 2 of the book deals with matters of a
personal nature and matters that affect the whole community. In all cases
the pertinent goal is holiness.
Of specific importance in Part 2 of the book is the Holiness Code (Lev.17:125:55) It exhorts the people to fidelity in their behavior towards God. There is
a diversity of material in the code which appears to be
a compilation of earlier laws, rituals and ethics, which were finally codified
just before the exile (or perhaps during the exile) - -- its sole unifying feature
lying in its emphasis on the holiness of Yahweh. 75
The term Holiness Code was first given to the section (17-25) by A.
Klostermann in 1877.
The Sacredness of blood (Lev.17:1-16)
The Israelites believed that life was in the blood. Hence blood was sacred.
The blood of animals slaughtered outside of the Tent of Meeting and not
offered to Yahweh, had to be poured out on the ground and not consumed in
any way.
The life of the flesh is in the blood - - - offered blood makes atonement
because of the life within it. That is why I said to the sons of Israel. No one

among you shall eat blood, nor may any alien who lives among you eat
blood. (Lev.17:11)
If wild animals are hunted and killed, the blood of the animal had to be
poured out on the ground and covered up with dirt. No one was to eat an
animal found dead. To do so, was to incur uncleanness and required
bathing and washing his clothes. He would also remain unclean until
evening.
Sacredness of Sex (Lev.18:1-30)
The sacredness surrounding the act that communicates human life
prohibited sexual contact with those already allied by blood, or any close
relationship, since such especially in former case, would be tantamount to
union with ones own flesh. 76.
For a man the prohibition covered having sex with any of the following:His mother, sister, stepsister, granddaughter, half sister, aunt on the fathers
or mothers side, daughter in law, brothers wife, his wifes sister or his
neighbours wife. He was also to refrain from having intercourse with a
woman during her monthly period.
Injunctions against Sodomy and beastiality
Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, it is an abomination. Also
do not have sexual relations with an animal; that is infamous. (Lev.18:2223)
In the case of Sodomy the penalty was death for both offenders. (Lev.20:13)
In the case of beastiality, be it performed by man or woman, the penalty was
death or both the human and the beast. (Lev.20:15)
Various rules of Conduct (Lev.19:1-37)
These laws are specifically concerned with protecting the rights of the weak
so that there will not be a degraded serf class as was found among the
Canaanite city states. 77.
What was forbidden?

When the harvest as reaped either in the fields or vineyards some of

the harvest was to be left for the poor. (The gleanings in the fields and
the grapes that have fallen in the vineyard.)

Lying or stealing from one another.

With holding wages from hired workers.
Treating the deaf or blind with callousness.
Unjust judgements against the poor.
Slandering others.
Nurturing a grudge and seeking revenge.
Heterogeneous coupling. (This seemed to be an extension of the law
against sodomy)
o Interbreeding cattle with other animals.
o Sowing two kinds of seed in the one field.
o Wearing clothes of different materials. (Probably related to Cross
dressing male and female clothes)
o Yoking different species of animals together.
Having sex with an unransomed slave girl.
Eating the fruit of newly planted trees before the fifth year.
Practicing divination or astrology.
Body lacerations, tattooing. (This was part of Canaanite mourning
rituals to ward of spirits of the dead. An attempt to change ones
appearance.)
Letting ones daughter become a cult prostitute.
Turning to mediums or spiritists to commune with the dead or foretell
the future.

The people were exhorted to respect the seniors in the land and strangers.
Strangers had no rights to land and no clan ties for protection.
However the most fascinating law for a Christian is
Love your neighbor as yourself; (Lev.19:18)
Christ used this as a part answer to a teachers question concerning what
was the most important commandment? (Matt.22:35-39)
There were two precepts: Love of God and Love of Neighbour. These were the
embodiment of the law and the Prophets. The section in chapter 19 ends
with an exhortation to justice towards ones fellowman: use honest scales and honest weights and exact containers. (Lev.19:35)
Penalties (Lev.20:1-27)
There is a close connection with the prohibitions listed in chapter 18.
Those offences punishable by death are as follows :-

Sacrificing children to the Canaanite God Moloch.

Cursing ones father or mother.
Adultery. Both guilty parties are to be stoned to death.
Any form of incest.
Sodomy.
Beastiality.
Spiritism. (Man or woman)
Sleeping with a woman during her menstruation.

Normally death was by stoning.

The reason for these harsh penalties is : you are to be holy for me as I am holy, Yahweh your God, and I have set you
apart from the nations to be mine. (Lev.20:26)
Priestly Sanctity (Lev.21:1-24)
Contact with a dead body, even be it burial preparation, automatically made
an Israelite unclean. For a priest it was incompatible with his holy office. The
only exceptions were for his immediate relatives e.g. Father, Mother, Brother
or Sister.
Choosing a wife. She had to be a virgin or the widow of another priest. The
woman must be of the same Levitical tribe to ensure the sanctity of his
office.
A priests daughter who becomes a prostitute defiles her fathers priesthood
and must be burnt alive.
Physical defects
Just as the animal brought for sacrifice must be without any defect, no one
can approach the Holy of Holies who is blind, lame, disfigured, deformed,
who was a broken foot or hand, or is a hunchback or a dwarf or has an eye
defect or eczema or scabs or damaged testicles. (Lev.21:18-20)
Rules on Sacrifice (Lev.22:1-33)
Only the priest and the members of his immediate family were permitted to
eat the offerings made to Yahweh. All others were excluded. Ordinary
laymen, strangers, hired servants, wage earners, even a priests daughter if
she were married to a layman.

If a priest were for some reason unclean e.g. a passing illness or having
touched a dead body, then he also is excluded until he is cured and carried
out the ritual of washing clothes and body.
Any disregard for these rules was really a disregard for Yahweh.
The Feast Days (Lev.23:1-44)
The first mentioned is the Sabbath.
After six days in which work shall be done, these is a Sabbath of complete
rest on the seventh day, a holy assembly when no work shall be done, it is a
Sabbath to Yahweh in all your houses. (Lev.22:3) Then the Annual feasts
are listed.
1. Passover and Unleavened Bread
originally a Canaanite agricultural feast, celebrated at the ingathering
of the Barley harvest. Taken over by the Israelites in commemoration
of the Exodus. For seven days only unleavened bread could be eaten.
The first and last days were to be work free. The feast started with the
evening consumption of the Paschal Lamb and on other days special
sacrifices were offered culminating in a day of solemn worship on the
last day.
2. Pentecost, also known as the feast of weeks.
This feast was celebrated seven weeks after the feast of Unleavened
Bread, i.e. 50 days after the barley harvest. It was for the ingathering
of the wheat harvest. In time, it became linked to the giving of the law
on Mt. Sinai.
3. The Feasts of Booths or Tabernacles
Like the feasts of Unleavened bread and Pentecost it was a
pilgrimage feast and lasted for a week. It was originally a Palestinian
feast celebrating the fall harvests. The people working in the fields
built small huts or shelters to rest during the midday sun. The feast
was absorbed by the Israelites to recall their ancestors sojourn in the
desert. Hence the booths to look like nomads tents. Part of the
feast was the need to pray for early rain in the winter season. This
entailed a daily procession from the pool of Siloam bringing water to
the temple. 78.
4. Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement
This feast is mentioned in detail in Chapter 16 of Leviticus. It was a
peoples plea for the forgiveness of sins. No work was to be done. The
people were to fast and gather for worship.

Anyone who fails to fast that day shall be outlawed from his people.
(Lev.23:29)
Additional Legislation Lev.24:1-23
The two main items of interest in this chapter is
a) The case of blasphemy and a reminder of
b) The law of Retaliation.
In the case of blasphemy, an Israelite man has cursed the name of Yahweh.
This is a severe lesson to all. Yahwehs verdict is that the offender be taken
outside the camp and all those who heard him utter the curse, were to lay
hands on his head and then the entire community was to stone him to death.
No one was to profane the holy name of Yahweh.
The Law of Retaliation (Lex Talionis) is a reiteration of the law mentioned in
Exodus 21:23. There is an important addition. It can apply to either a native
Israelite or an alien. The law stated again is as follows : If a man injures a neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him.
Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, just as he has injured
another, so shall it be done to him. (Lev.24:19-20)
The Holy Years (Lev.25:1-55)
The Sabbatical Year for the Land
Just as men need to rest, any good farmer would acknowledge that his fields
need to rest in rotation every few years. For the Israelites, Yahweh imposed a
very practical Sabbatical rest for the land.
For six years you shall sow your field, prune your vineyard and harvest the
produce, but in the seventh year the land shall have a rest or Sabbath, a
Sabbath for Yahweh. (Lev.25:3-4)
That did not mean that the people would go hungry in the seventh year.
Whatever grew spontaneously could be harvested but no formal cultivation
was to take place. The land belongs to Yahweh as part of the covenant.
The Jubilee year
Every fiftieth year was a special year. It began with the sound of trumpets
throughout the land. The term itself comes from the name for the rams horn
trumpet, yobel.

It was a year when land was to be returned to the Hebrew owner from whom
it may have been loaned in payment of a debt. All debts between Hebrews
were to be cancelled. Any Hebrew who had become enslaved through debt
was to be set free.
Keep holy the fiftieth year and proclaim freedom for all the inhabitants of
the land. It shall be a jubilation year for you when each one shall recover his
property and go back to his family. (Lev.25:10)
It is not certain to what extent the foreign slave had the same rights as the
Hebrew slave, despite the word, all.
All mortgaged fields and houses were to be returned to their owners.
Again, the land was to lie fallow but the inhabitants were permitted to eat
whatever grew naturally.
The Jubilee year law is a very laudable one. It is post exilic in origin. There
is considerable doubt that it ever became a regular event in Israelite culture
after or before exile. It is not mentioned elsewhere except in Isaiah 61:1 and
Ezek. 46:17
Sharing with ones neighbor
If your brother becomes poor and is unable to support himself, help him.
(Lev.25:35
Deference was to be shown to an indigent fellow Israelite. He was to receive
the same courtesy extended to non Israelite inhabitants, i.e. residence
without landed property. To demand interest from him in any form was
prohibited, although such was allowed in the case of a non Israelite debtor.
79
This double standard was a feature of Judaism. It is common among
modern Asian cultures also, wherein family members receive special
consideration but non-family members are very much left to solve their own
problems. Outside the family, nobody counts.
Sanctions Lev.26:1-46
The people are exhorted to obey Yahwehs commandments and the Holiness
code. If they do so, then God will bless their crops and their families. If they
fail to do so, then serious punishments will be inflicted upon them. These
include: -

The horror of Tuberculoses; the earth will not be fruitful; wild animals will
carry of your children and destroy your cattle; You shall turn to cannibalism
to survive; you will be overcome by your enemies; your nation shall perish.
Yet all these punishments will bring the survivors to repentance. When that
happens, Yahweh will relent and remember his covenant.
Redemption of vows and promises (Lev.27:1-34)
Vows and promises carried with them the solemn obligation that they be
fulfilled. After the exile a new social law came in to play. Vows could be
commuted or redeemed by monetary payments. e.g. A man between the
ages of 20 to 60 years who made a vow to Yahweh, could be redeemed for
fifty pieces of silver. Women and children had to pay far less.
If a man vowed his house or other buildings and even land to Yahweh then
the priest will value it and it can be redeemed with one fifth its value added
to the cost.
Some things that could not be redeemed were idolators and their
possessions. These were placed under the ban. (Anathema)
The last command in Leviticus pertains to tithing. One tenth of all produce
and flocks or herds belonged to Yahweh. These were used to support the
Levites who had no land allocated to them.

Section Seven

The Book of Numbers

Derives it is name from the Greek Arithmoi in reference to the two census
figures given in chapters 1 and 26. The Hebrew word bemidbar taken from
the first verse of the book gave to the Israelites the title In the Wilderness
for this book of sacred scripture. Traditionally the Christian churches have
opted for the Greek title.
Much of the diverse contents of the book comes from the Priestly tradition.
In essence the book covers the forty years of wandering that the Israelites
endured prior to moving in to the promised land.
It is a loose collection of topics and events. Many incidents mentioned in
Exodus are repeated in Numbers e.g. the Manna and quail as well as Moses
bringing water from a rock. It combines stories with laws. The narrative of
Exodus continues interlaced with laws learned from the past. The whole
group of Israelites now move with a purpose. Their goal is Canaan.

Donald Senior and his co editors, Collins and Getty, have devised a
framework that brings a semblance of order to an otherwise disparate
composition. It is as follows :Chapter
1.Census of Males.

Chapter
10.Battle order.

2.Order of the camp.

Murmuring.
3.Special role for Levites.

Chapter
20. Edom Aarondas.

11.Rebellion.
12.Miriam & Aaron Oppose Moses.

4.Levitical rules for the Ark.

25.Apostasy at Baal of Peor.

21.More
22-24. Balaam.

13.The Spies scout the P.L

5. Laws of Purification for battle. 14.People resist going to the P.L

26.Census repeated.
6.Vows of Nazarite dedication.
Laws.

15.Laws of possessing land.

7.Sacrifices & gifts for leaving.

31.Midianites.

16.Levite rebellion.

8.Levites anointed for service.

32.Transjordan.

17.Authority of Aaron restored.

9.Passover celebration.
Boundaries.

18.Portions for Priests & Levites.

10.Departure.
cities.

19.Atonement.
20.Murmuring over water.

27-30.

33-34.
35.Special
36.Inheritance

Laws.

The first Census (Num.1:1-4:49)

Yahweh orders a census of all the male Israelites.
You and Aaron will enlist all the men of Israel, twenty years of age and over,
able to give military service. (Num.1:3)

The only ones excluded were the Levites. The army was arranged in a
particular order, as much for defense as for offensive engagements. The
numbers listed for each tribe are not to be taken seriously.
In chapter 4, there is a census of the Levites between the ages of thirty and
fifty.
They are to have charge of the most holy things. (Num.4:4)
When the Israelites move camp, the sacred objects e.g. the Ark, the
lampstands, the altars etc. are first covered with purple cloths by the priests,
then poles are attached and the Levite men summoned as porters. They are
forbidden to touch any of the sacred objects. Aaron and his sons must
supervise everything.
Purity of the Camp (Num.5:1-6:27)

All those suffering from skin infections or those who have had contact
with a dead body must leave the camp. The camp was holy because of
the presence of Yahweh.
If anyone sins against a fellow Israelite with regard to failure to repay
what is borrowed, then restitution must be made with an additional
20%.
A woman suspected of adultery must drink water tainted with dust
taken from the Tent of Meeting. She must also make an offering to
Yahweh for her husbands jealousy. (This is a one sided affair. There is
no comparative law if a woman suspects her husband of infidelity.)

The Nazarite Vow

Either a man or a woman could dedicate themselves to Yahweh for a set
period of time. They were not permitted to drink wine or strong drink and
their hair was to grow freely and not be cut. When the time of dedication was
completed, that person must make an offering to Yahweh of a one-year-old
lamb and a basket of unleavened loaves, together with a grain offering and
some wine. At the completion of this ritual, the person will shave off his or
her consecrated hair in front of the Tent of Meeting.

The Blessing

This could only be performed by Aaron and his sons. It was much like the
priests blessing at the end of mass.
May Yahweh bless you and keep you! May Yahweh let his face shine on you
and be gracious to you! May Yahweh look kindly on you, and give you
peace. (Num.6:24-46)
Preparations for the Departure from Mt. Sinai (Num.7:1-10:10)
When the Tent of Meeting, now designated the Tabernacle, was completed,
its dedication took place. Over a period of twelve days, the leader of each
tribe presented lavish gifts before Yahweh. Besides the normal grain and
sacrificial offerings there were silver bowls presented and golden bowls as
well.
The Lampstand
The sacred Menorah and the lamps attached to it to be strictly under the
care of Aaron and his sons. The people were to bring pure olive oil for the
lamps and the flame must be kept burning until the camp is struck and the
Israelites move forward.
The Purification of the Levites (Num.8:5-26)
The Levites were to assemble and Moses was commanded to sprinkle them
with water. Then they were ordered to shave all their bodies and wash their
clothing. Two young bulls were offered in sacrifice, one for a sin offering and
one for a burnt offering. Before the bulls were slaughtered, the Levites lay
their hands on them in atonement for their sins. Once the ritual was
completed, the Levites were consecrated to the service of Yahweh and
became the proxy for all the first born males of the Israelites.
The First Passover after the Exodus (Num.9:1-14)
Moses gave the orders for the celebration of the Passover. This was most
appropriate, following the consecration of the Levites in place of all the first
born males.
Those who were unable to celebrate the feast could do so a month later.
They were to follow the rubrics of the ritual.
you shall celebrate it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Nothing of
the victim must be left over until morning, nor must they break any of its
bones. (Num.9:11-12)

The Shekinah
On the day the Holy Tent, that is the Tent of Meeting, was set up, the
Cloud covered it. At nightfall The Cloud took the appearance of fire over
the Holy Tent and remained so until the morning. - - -whenever the Cloud
lifted above the tent, the Israelites took down their tents and continued their
journey; whenever the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
(Num.9:15-17)
The Trumpets (Num.10:1-10)
Moses was commanded to have two trumpets made of hammered silver.
They were to be given to Aaron and his sons to sound.
Whenever both trumpets are sounded, the whole community is to gather
around you, at the entrance to the tent of Meeting. But if only one trumpet is
sounded, then only the leaders, the chiefs of the clans are to gather around
you. (Num.10:3-4)
Departure from Sinai
The Cloud lifted over the Holy Tent of the Covenant and the Israelites moved
on in marching order from the desert of Sinai. The Cloud came to rest in the
desert of Paran. (Num.10:11-12)
They were led by the tribe of Judah. The rearguard of the whole assembly
was the Army of Dan, arranged in battle formation. In verses 29 to 36 of
chapter 10 we have a section that scholars believe was inserted by the
redactor of Numbers. It does not appear to be from the Priestly Tradition.
There are two examples of contradictions. Verse 29 calls the father-in-law of
Moses, Ruel and not Jethro. Verse 33 describes the Ark of the Covenant
leading the way, not the tribe of Judah.
Taberah (Num.11:1-3)
When the Israelites reached this place they murmured against Yahweh, who
in his anger, sent fire that burned the outer part of the camp. The Israelites
were going to earn the title of stiff necked race, because of their penchant
for murmuring. They were to prove very fickle in their fidelity and lapsed into
idolatry very quickly especially when they occupied Canaan.

The complaint of the people was that they were reduced to eating Manna.
We remember the fish we ate in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the
leeks, the onions and garlic. (Num.11:9)
Moses appealed to Yahweh. He was exasperated.
I cannot myself alone carry all these people; the burden is too heavy for
me. (Num.11:14)
Yahweh told Moses that he wanted the elders (70men) to assemble before
the Tent of Meeting. There he inspired them to share the burden of governing
the people in order to help Moses. The elders were to consecrate themselves
to Yahweh, and the next day he would send quail to quell the peoples desire
for meat. But there would be an ironic twist to the quails. The Israelites
would eat them
until it comes out of your nostrils and it becomes loathsome to you.
(Num.11:20)
So Yahweh instilled in the elders part of the same spirit that invigorated
Moses. Two elders who did not attend the meeting, Eldad and Medad, were
also blessed by God and began to prophesy.
Then the quail came. they were about three feet deep on the ground.
(Num.11:31) (The redactor was a bit carried away)
Chapter 11 of Numbers was a parallel to Exodus chapter 16. It apparently
came from the J tradition.
Miriam and Aaron (Num.12:1-16)
Moses two siblings became jealous of the authority of their brother and his
personal friendship with Yahweh. They found an excuse to confront him in
the fact that he took a second wife. She was a Cushite. Probably a local tribe
like the Midiniates. (Cush normally refers to Ethiopia but is unlikely she
was an Ethiopian.)
Yahweh was displeased with the behavior of Miriam and struck her with a
skin disease, forcing her to remain outside the camp for seven days. She was
healed due to the pleas of Moses. Both Miriam and Aaron were admonished
by Yahweh and the status of Moses reaffirmed as the prophet to lead his
people.

Scouts sent to Explore the Promised Land (Num.13:1-33)

Moses chose scouts from all the leaders of the tribes and sent them to
explore the Land of Canaan prior to invasion. They were away for forty days.
They came to the valley of Eshcol where they cut down a branch with a
cluster of grapes. Two of them carried this by means of a pole. They also
brought pomegranates and figs. (Num.14:23)
Most of the scouts gave a terrifying report of the fortified cities and the
giants they saw there.
We cannot advance against these people for they are stronger than we
are. (Num.13:31)
We felt like grasshoppers before them. (Num.13:33)
Because of this report, the people were greatly afraid. But two brave scouts,
Joshua and Caleb stood up and gave a positive account of what they had
seen, reminding the assembly that if they follow Yahweh faithfully, then he
will lead them victoriously into the Promised Land. Of the tall people that
were there,
They will be bread for us: - -have no fear of them. (Num.14:9)
However, the community would not listen to them and threatened to stone
Caleb and Joshua to death.
Yahweh intervened. He spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting and said he
was going to destroy the Israelites,
Moses pleaded for the people, but although Yahweh would pardon again the
foolishness of the people, he condemned them to wander for forty years and
die in the wilderness.
All of you twenty years or more, numbered in the census, who grumbled
against me, your corpses will fall in the desert. (Num.14:29)
The two exceptions would be Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of
Jephnunneh, the brave and faithful scouts. The place of this rebellion was
Kadesh. It was a turning point in the march to the Promised Land. The whole
group turned South, through the wilderness of Zin, towards the Gulf of
Aquabah, and away from Canaan.
Cultic Ordinances (Num.15:1-41)

These are additional laws taken from the Priestly Tradition and therefore, well
after the Exodus. They referred to the occasion of a burnt offering to
Yahweh. In addition, the offerer was to bring a grain or cereal offering as well
as a drink offering. e.g.
four pounds of flour mixed with three pints of oil and a wine offering of three
pints of wine. (Num.15:6)
The offering varied in measure depending on the animal offered as a
fragrant offering to the Lord. The same law was also to apply to strangers
living amongst the Israelites.
Unintentional faults of the community or individuals had to be atoned for
by sin offerings.
However a deliberate fault or breaking of a law of Yahweh was to be dealt
with severely.
A man was caught gathering wood on the Sabbath day. (Num.15:32)
Yahweh ordered Moses that the man was to be taken outside the camp and
stoned to death by the whole community. This sentence was carried out
immediately.
The people were to put a violet fringe on the hems of their garments to
remind them of the commands of Yahweh.
The Revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num.16:1-35)
There are two stories interwoven here from two different traditions. The first
story concerns the rebellion of Korah and his followers, jealous of the priestly
authority of Aaron. They wanted to be priests also. Yet this could not be so.
Moses told Korah and his followers to assemble the next day before the Tent
of Meeting. They were all to bring their censers and so was Aaron. If their
incense offering was acceptable to Yahweh, then nothing would happen.
Yahweh had other plans. One tradition is as follows. The people were
commanded to step aside from Korah and his 250 followers.
The earth under them split in two, opened its mouth and engulfed them
with their households. (Num.16:31-32)
The second tradition states,

a fire came forth from Yahweh and consumed the 250 men who were
offering incense. (Num.16:35)
As for Dathan and Abiram, their complaint was to question the leadership of
Moses. They openly challenged the authority of Moses. They and their
families suffered the same fate as the family of Korah. The earth swallowed
them alive. In both cases the death of the offenders was supernatural.
There is a sequel to the death of Korah and his followers.
Eleazer, the son of Aaron was ordered by Yahweh to gather the censers of
the men consumed by fire.
Let the censers be made into plates to cover the altar, because they have
been offered before Yahweh and are sacred. Let them be a sign to the
Israelites. (Num.17:3)
No one who was not a consecrated priest, was permitted to burn incense
before Yahweh.

Aarons Prayer for the People (Num.17:6-14)

As if the previous days incineration of Korah and his followers was not
enough, the very next day the rest of the community murmured against
Moses and Aaron. Yahweh in his anger sent a plague amongst the Israelites.
Moses and Aaron pleaded for mercy on the communitys behalf.
Moses commanded Aaron to offer incense to Yahweh from the midst of the
community. He hurried to do this and the plague ceased. But the number of
those who perished was 14,700 victims.
Aarons Staff (Num.17:16-25)
Yahweh commanded each tribe to present the staff of its leader to Moses.
Each staff was to carry the leaders name. The staff of Aaron represented the
tribe of Levi. Moses collected the staffs and took them inside the Tent of
Meeting and placed them before the Ark. The following day Moses returned.
There already sprouting, was Aarons staff, standing for the tribe of Levi,
buds had opened, flowers had blossomed and almonds had already opened.
(Num.17:23)

Moses returned to all the leaders their own staffs. All witnessed the miracle
of Aarons rod. No one dared to question again the authority of Aaron.
Yahweh had spoken.
Dues of the Priests and Levites (Num.18:1-32)
The portions of all sacrifices not consumed by fire will be for the Priests and
their families.
To you also shall belong the first fruits that are offered by the Israelites.
(Num.18:11) this also included the first born of all living creatures. The first
born child was to be redeemed for the set price of five pieces of silver.
(v.16)
This is a covenant of salt, an everlasting covenant before Yahweh, for you
and your descendants after you. (Num.18:19)
How significant is this covenant of salt?
The reference may perhaps be to the preservative power of salt
(ct.Matt.5:13) but more likely the phase refers to the custom of eating salt
together to render a contract unbreakable. 81.
The partaking of salt in common was an ancient symbol of friendship and
alliance.
What then was the share of the Levites?
The tithe that the people of Israel set aside for Yahweh, I give to the Levites
for their inheritance. (Num.18:24)
But from this tithe, the Levites were obligated to set aside a portion for the
priests also. In fact, in the case of beasts and produce, the best had to go
to the priests from the Levites. This was to be considered holy as the best
were to be an offering to Yahweh from the Levites.
The water of Purification (Num.19:1-22)
This water was prepared in a special way.
You are to bring a red cow which has no defects and has never been made
to work. (Num.19:2)
It was to be slaughtered outside the camp. Some of its blood was to be
sprinkled by Eleazer the priest towards the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Then the cow was to be completely burnt in the priests presence. A twig of
hyssop and a red cord were to be thrown on the fire also. Both the priest and
the man responsible for the burning of the red heifer were to be bathe and
wash their clothes. They were considered unclean until the evening.
The ashes from the fire were to be gathered up and kept outside the camp.
For persons who are unclean some of the heifers ashes are placed in
water. Then a clean man shall use a twig of hyssop to sprinkle the water
of Purification on the person or house or contents of the house considered
unclean, on the third and seventh day. Then an unclean person shall
bathe and wash his clothes. When evening comes he or she shall be
considered cleansed.
If an unclean person has not been purified, then he or she cannot remain in
the community. This strange ritual is found only in the book of Numbers, and
seems to have been post Exilic in origin.
The Waters of Meribah (Num.20:1-13)
While the Israelites were camped at Kadesh, Miriam died and was buried
there. There was no water. The people grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
Moses sought refuge in the Tent of Meeting. Yahweh ordered Moses to
assemble the people in front of a specified rock face. He and Aaron were to
stand in the presence of the people. Moses was commanded to order water
to come from the rock. Moses was annoyed at the constant complaints of the
Israelites.
Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. And then water in
abundance gushed out for the community and their livestock to drink. (Num.20:11)
But Yahweh was displeased with the behavior of Moses. No scholars have provided
an adequate explanation as to why.
As a consequence, Moses and Aaron had not displayed the holiness of Yahweh and
for punishment, neither of them would enter the Promised Land.
The King of Edom (Num.20:14-20)
From Kadesh Moses sends messengers to the King of Edom asking for passage
through his land. He reminds the king that they are brothers by blood. They both
trace their lineage through Isaac to Abraham.
But the reply is a stern rebuttal.

And the Edomites marched out to meet Israel with a strong army and many armed
men. Thus Edom refused to let Israel pass through his land, and Israel had to turn
away. (Num.20:20-21)
This was the beginning of an animosity that lasted for almost a thousand years
between Israel and Edom.
Shortly after this episode with Edom. The community left Kadesh and came to Mt.
Hor. There Aaron died and was buried. Mt. Hor has never been identified. The people
mourned the death of the first High Priest for thirty days.
The Bronze Serpent (Num.21:4-9)
The people left the region of Mt. Hor and began the journey around the territory of
Edom. They were discouraged by the journey and true to form, murmured against
God and Moses.
Yahweh then sent fiery serpents against them. They bit the people and many of the
Israelites died. (Num.21:6)
Moses pleaded for the people. Yahweh said to him, make a fiery serpent and set it
on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live. (Num.21:8)
Moses obeyed and the people were saved.
There are some important points concerning the fiery serpent that must be borne
in mind. They are as follows.

1. Near the Sinai mines, a healing God was honoured and little bronze
serpents were offered in thanksgiving. 82.
2. It was prophetic sign of the healing power of Jesus on the cross. As
Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John
3:14)
3. The bronze serpent made by Moses was carried into the promised land.
Over time (500years) it became idolized as a God. King Hezekiah (715687 BC) had it destroyed during his reforms against idolatry. (2 Kings
18:4)
Conquest of Transjordania (Num.21:21-35)
When the Israelites reached Transjordan, they were confronted by Sihon, king
of the Amorites. With the grace of Yahweh, Sihon was defeated and his cities
occupied.

They then turned their attention to Bashan. In later years this region would
be famous for its bulls. Og of Bashan gave battle to the Israelites in Edrei. As
with Sihon and his army of Amorites, the Israelites moved forward and
defeated Og and his army. They routed the army of Og, killing him and all his
sons. Then they took possession of the land.
The story of Balaam (Num.22:1-24:25)
This story is not an essential part of the journey narrative of the Israelites.
Still, it does serve to reinforce the divine protection by Yahweh of his
querulous chosen people.
Balak, king of the Moabites is alarmed at the way the Israelites easily
disposed of the Amorites. He sends messengers to the well known Seer of
the Gods, Balaam at Pethor.
Come and put a curse on these people because they are too powerful for
me. (Num.22:6)
But God came to Balaam and told him not go with the messengers because
the Israelites were under his blessing.
Balak, king of Moab sent other messengers to entice Balaam to go. This time
God permitted Balaam to accompany the second group of messengers. But
for a reason not explained Yahweh was displeased and posted an angel with
a drawn sword, on the road. Only Balaams donkey could see the angel.
Three times it turned aside and three times Balaam beat it with a stick.
Finally the donkey spoke and questioned the beatings it had received. Then
Yahweh opened Balaams eyes and he saw Yahwehs angel. Balaam was
permitted to proceed.
When he arrived at Kiriath huzoth, Balak took him to a high place and
showed him a portion of the Israelite camp. Balaam ordered a sacrifice of
seven bulls and seven rams. When this was done Balaam uttered his first
oracle but it was not a curse. Balak said to Balaam.
What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies and you have
actually blessed them. (Num.23:11)
Then Balak took Balaam to another high place from where he could see the
whole of the Israelite camp. On the top of Pisgah the same ritual of sacrifices
was carried out but again Balaam was only allowed by Yahweh to bless the
Israelites.

Balak was frustrated.

Even though you cannot curse them, do not bless them. (Num.23:25)
For a third time Balak took Balaam to a high place. This time to the top of
Peor. The same ritual of sacrifices was carried out but this time Balaam went
into a trance and filled with the spirit, proclaimed a prophesy in honour of
Israel. Balak was furious and ordered Balaam to flee. Before he did, Balaam
pronounced a third oracle concerning future nations and a prophesy that had
messianic overtones.
A star shall come forth from Jacob. (Num.24:17)
Then both Balak and Balaam went their separate ways.
Apostasy at Baal Peor (Num.24:20-25)
This is the final act of rebellion in the wilderness.
Israel settled at Shittim and the men began to enjoy themselves with the
Moabite women and have sex with them. These women invited the people to
the sacrifices of their gods. There the people ate and bowed down before
their gods. (Num.25:1-2)
Shittim was on the east bank of the Jordan, opposite Jericho. 83.
This break down in morality leads to the public hanging of the ring leaders.
Inserted into the narrative is the story from another tradition that refers to
the actions of Phineas a grandson of Aaron. Phineas has see one of the
Israelite men consorting with a Midianite woman in view of the Israelite
community. He takes a spear and follows them. When the two offenders are
coupled together he drives the single spear through both of them.
Then there is a strange statement.
The plague against the Israelites was checked. (Num.25:8)
This is the only reference to a plague. It is a clear indication that the story is
a later insertion by the redactor and perhaps not at all connected to the
Apostasy at Baal Peor.

The Second Census (Num.25:19-26:65)

This second census is important from the standpoint of inheritance in the
Promised Land. The land is to be apportioned out depending on the
numerical size of each tribe. Considering the forty years of wandering in the
desert and the death of a whole generation due to Yahwehs decree at
Meribah, the numbers for the Israelites do not vary much in total from the
first census. There is however a significant increase for the tribes of
Manasseh and Benjamin and a corresponding decrease in the tribe of
Simeon.
One of the subgroups of the tribe of Manasseh contains the daughters of
Zelophehad. Their father dies with no male heirs. They wish to inherit their
fathers share of the land. It is presumed that their mother has also died so
there is no possibility of male siblings.
The general rule of inheritance was that land must pass to the fathers clan.
Moses pleads the case before Yahweh. As a result, there is an amendment to
the law of inheritance.
If a man dies without sons, his inheritance is to be given to his daughter.
(Num.27:8)
The inclusion of this amendment shows a late Priestly Post Exilic redaction
and legal refinement.
The Commissioning Of Joshua (Num. 27:12-23)
Yahweh commands Moses to climb the highest peak in the Abarim range.
This range is on the Eastern side of the Dead Sea. Its highest peak is Mt.
Nebo. From here Moses gets a full view of the Promised Land. Yahweh
reminds Moses that he cannot enter it because of his lack of holiness at
Meribah in the Desert of Zin.
Moses asks Yahweh to appoint a leader to replace him. Yahweh appoints
Joshua.
Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom the Spirit dwells, and lay your
hands on him. Then bring him before Eleazer, the priest, and the whole
community, to instruct him in their presence and to give him a share in your
authority, so that the whole community of the Israelites may obey him.
(Num.27:18-19)

Unlike the personal relationship that Moses had with Yahweh, speaking like
friends face to face, Joshua must take his decisions from Eleazer who will
make use of the Urim and Thummim. No longer will the people be guided by
the Shekinah cloud and column of fire.

A Reminder of the Feasts to be Celebrated (Num.28:1-29:39)

Before Moses died, he is to remind the people of the major feasts to be
celebrated in honour of Yahweh. This ritual calendar is the product of the
Priestly redactor and draws on the laws promulgated elsewhere in Exodus
and Deuteronomy.
1. The daily sacrifices
This requires the offering morning and evening of a one year old
lamb without defects.
A grain offering of two pounds of fine flour mixed with two pints
of purest oil.
A wine offering of two pints of wine for each lamb sacrificed. The
wine is to be poured out at the altar.
2. The Sabbath Offering
On the Sabbath, in addition to the daily offerings two one year old
lambs must be offered as a burnt offering, as well as an accompanying
grain and wine offering.
3. The New Moon Sacrifice
A burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven one year old
lambs with accompanying grain and wine offerings. In addition, a he
goat burnt offering for sin.
4. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (The Passover)
The feast must last for seven days. On the first day there is to be no
work. the community well gather for worship. Apart from the daily
offerings, there will be the same offerings as for the New Moon. Two
young bulls, a ram, seven lambs and a sin offering of one he goat. This
must occur for the full seven days and on the final day, again there
shall be an assembly for worship and no work. no mention is made of
the family Passover meal. The redactor is concerned only with the
Temple.
5. The Feast of Weeks (Another name for the feast of Pentecost)
Celebrated seven weeks after Unleavened Bread. The people will
gather as for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. But for one day only,

offer the same sacrifices. This will begin on the first day of the harvest.
It will conclude the same day.
6. The New Year Festival
When this custom arose is not clear. It is not mentioned in the list of
annual feasts given in Leviticus chapter 23. Nor in Exodus chapter 23
or 34. Nor in Deuteronomy chapter 16. It is quite possibly Post Exilic in
origin. The sacrifices required are, one young bull, one ram and seven
lambs as well as a he goat for a sin offering. The rule of accompanying
grain and wine offerings also apply. It is for one day only.
7. The Day of Atonement
This once a year celebration is of great importance. It is only to last
one day, but it is to be a day of fasting for sin. The ritual is fully
described in Leviticus chapter 16. The most important part of the ritual
centers on two he goats.
8. The Feast of the Tents (More precisely, the Feast of Tabernacles)
This festival is a pilgrimage festival lasting eight days. The number of
animal sacrifices over the 8 days is enormous. 71 bulls, 15 rams, 105
lambs and 7 he goats. This was in addition to the daily sacrifices. This
festival recounts the wandering of the Israelites in the desert. It was
the most popular of all the feasts.
Rules about Vows (Num.30:1-17)
If a man makes a vow, then he must not break his promise. If an unmarried
woman makes a vow to abstain from something, it can be annulled by her
father on the day he first hears of it. If the woman is married then the
husband may annul it on the day he hears of it. The law on vows for men and
women really discriminates against women.
Women are patronizingly treated as subordinates who must be protected
against their own lack of responsible judgement. 84.
The War with Midian (Num.30:1-53)
The Priestly redactor has inserted here a war that took place in the time of
the Judges. This account is fictitious. The real war took place under Gideon.
He was one of the early Judges (Leaders) when the Israelites invaded
Canaan. The period of Judges is commonly dated between 1200 BC to 1050
BC. The war with the Midianites is associated with the Apostasy of the
chosen people at Peor.
In the destruction of the Midianites, the death of the seer prophet, Balaam is
recorded. (Num.31:8)

How true this is, we dont know. There are unrealistic elements in the story,
e.g. The brutal killing of all the people including children, with the exception
of virgin females; The enormous amount of booty seized and distributed; the
supposed annihilation of the tribe of Midianites, when in fact, the real war
was perhaps a century later.
What is the point of the story?
It is perhaps two fold. Firstly it tells of Gods vengeance against an idolatrous
people and secondly it is a warning about marrying foreign women. Viz. the
story of Phineas. (Num.25:6-8)
The Settlement of Gad and Reuben
The leaders of the tribes of Gad and Reuben requested permission from
Moses to settle in the country of Gilead, rather than cross the Jordan into
Canaan. Moses considered their request. He granted it on the condition that
the fighting men of both tribes would join their fellow Israelites in the
forthcoming invasion of Canaan. After that, they could return to Transjordan
and settle there. The leaders agreed to this condition.
Moses gave to the tribes of Gad and Reuben and to the half tribe of
Manasseh, the territory of Sihon, king of the Ammorites, as well as that of
Og, King of Bashan, and all the land and towns surrounding them.
(Num.32:33)
This story has been inserted in the narrative by the priestly redactor to
explain how historically some of the chosen people settled outside the
Promised Land.
The land of Canaan is divided up (Num.33:50-35:34)
In Numbers chapter 26, we have a census of the twelve tribes for the sole
purpose of dividing the promised land in proportion to the size of each tribe.
In chapter 34 of Numbers there is a reference to Yahweh commanding that
the land be divided by lot. (34:13)
Can these two methods be reconciled?
To facilitate the division of land Yahweh told Moses,
These are the names of those who will share out the land; Eleazer the priest
and Joshua, son of Nun. With one leader from each tribe. (Num.34:17)

The names of the leaders are listed. (Num.34:19-29)

These men came to some reasonable agreement. There is no record of
serious dissention among the tribes.
The Boundaries of the Promised Land
There is some controversy as to the Southern and Northern boundaries. The
best solution is to recognize the statement from Dan to Beersheba as
being roughly accurate. Dan in the North is near the present Syrian border
with Israel and Beersheba is close to the border of Edom and includes much
of the Negev wilderness.
The Eastern boundary follows the Jordan Valley from its head waters near Mt.
Hermon to the End of the Dead Sea. Its Western boundary is the easiest to
define. It is the Mediterranean Sea, stretching from Tyre down to and
including Gaza. It includes all the land of the Philistines with their five cities.
The Levites (Num.35:1-8)
They are excluded from the distribution of the land. However, they were to
be given 42 towns plus the six cities of Refuge. Allied to the cities was
sufficient use of pasture lands around the 48 cities. The Levites were not the
sole occupants of these cities. They used the facilities in conjunction with the
rightful tribal inhabitants.
Cities of Refuge (Num.35:9-34)
If a person murders another then,
the dead persons nearest relative must put the murdered to death. When
he finds him, he must kill him. (Num.35:19)
In the case of murder, the accused may be found guilty and put to death
only on the evidence of two or more witnesses; the evidence of only one
witness is not enough to uphold an accusation of Murder. (Num.35:30)
Murder defiles the land and there is no other atonement for the land where
blood has been shed than through the blood of the murderer. (Num.35:33)
For an accidental murder, there is to be no blood revenge. The person is to
flee to one of the cities of refuge. They are as follows:-

Kadesh, in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem, in the highlands

of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba, which is now Hebron, in the hill country of
Judah. - - Bezer in the territory of Reuben, Ramoth-gilead in the territory of Gad, and
Golan in Bashan in the territory of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:7-8)
The offender was to remain in one of these cities until the death of the High
Priest. Should he choose to venture out of the city, the relative of the dead
person may kill him without fear of punishment.
A Daughters Inheritance (Num.36:1-13)
If a man dies without a male heir, the land may be inherited by the daughter
or daughters. There is one important proviso. The daughter or daughters, if
they marry must marry into their fathers clan. In this way, the land remains
within the tribe.
The land was sacred to Yahweh. For this reason,
No property may be transferred from one tribe to another: every tribe of
Israel will always keep its own property. (Num.36:9)

Section Eight

The Book of Deuteronomy

The title comes from the Greek deuteron-nomos meaning the second
law. In the Jewish tradition the title is somewhat different. The title is
debarim or simply words.
As a piece of literature it is the link between the other four books of the
Pentateuch and the historical books. It is a distinct piece of work that has
its origins in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It has a complex history and in
its present form has been edited post exilic. (6th Cent. B.C)
Who wrote the original?
Before the fall of Samaria in 721 BC, the people were becoming aware that
the law once given by Moses did not match up very well with reality, this law
had been made up for a nomadic people, and now Israel had become an
organized nation. - - -After the fall of Samaria in 721 BC. Levites took refuge

in Jerusalem, where Hezekiah was king. They brought these laws with them.
85.
Much of the laws in the book seem to have been draughted by devote legal
minds conscious of the need to return to covenantal fidelity.
The final form of Deuteronomy is made to be in the general shape of an
actual treaty document. 86.
Although it is written as the if it were a farewell speech of Moses, the
intention is to give it to the same import as if it did come from Moses,
thereby enhancing its authority.
Deuteronomy stresses that the Covenant is tied to life in the land; misuse of
the land, failure to create a just society, and dishonest policies of rulers, will
cost Israel its right to the land. 87.
Those who fled from the North when the Assyrians invaded it, were very
conscious of the faults of the people, especially the leaders.
The breakdown of law and order, the practice of idolatry and the deafness to
the admonitions of the prophets such as Hosea and Amos, led to the loss of
Israel and the deportation of its inhabitants.
The same fate would eventually befall Judah for the very same reasons. It
was forestalled for two centuries by the reforms of King Hezekiah and king
Josiah.
Hezekiah was conscious of the idolatrous behavior of the Judeans.

He did away with the sanctuaries on the hills, demolished the standing
stones and cut down the sacred pillars. He also destroyed the bronze serpent
that Moses had fashioned in the desert, for until that time, the Israelites were
offering sacrifices to it and called it Nehushtan. (2 Kings. 18:4)
When the young king Josiah came to the throne, (640 609 BC) he ordered
repairs to the temple. In the process, the High Priest, Hilkiah, discovered the
Book of the Law. The king read the contents and heeded the warnings it
contained. He summoned all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem and read
its contents to them. Then he proceeded to destroy all the idolatrous shrines
and slaughtered the priests connected with them. He was determined to
return the people to their covenant obligations towards Yahweh.

Unfortunately, his untimely demise fighting the Pharoah of Egypt, meant that
his reforms were very limited. It is this book of the law that many scholars
consider to be the kernel of the Book of Deuteronomy. The rewriting of the
older laws contained in Leviticus and Numbers makes them more adapted to
life in urban centers. One important aspect of the book is the centralization
of worship on the Jerusalem Temple and away from the shrines in the high
places. It also focuses on a willing and whole hearted obedience to the love
of Yahweh.
The First Address of Moses (Deut. 1:1-4:49)
He commands the Israelites to occupy the Promised Land. Previously he had
appointed leaders to judge the people. He reminds those leaders,
Do not be influenced by anyone when you judge, but listen to the poor and
rich alike, to the powerful as well as the weak, and do not be afraid of
anyone because you act in place of God. (Deut.1:17)
Moses reviews the rebellion of the people at Kadesh where they refused to
enter the Promised Land and as a consequence spent 40 years in the
wilderness.
Finally the people skirted the lands of Edom and Moab and took possession
of the land of the Ammonites, North of the Dead Sea and East of the Jordan
River.
Then Moses reminds the people of the Sinai experience. They are to keep the
commandments and the laws Yahweh gave them. If they dont and they
prostrate themselves before idols,
Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples and only a few of you will
remain among the nations where Yahweh will bring you. (Deut.4:27)
He reminds them of the extraordinary events of the Exodus.
Has there ever been a people who remained alive after hearing as you did,
the voice of the living God from the midst of the fire? (Deut.4:33)
Therefore, try to be convinced that Yahweh is the only God of heaven and
earth, and that there is no other. (Deut.4:39)
The Second Address of Moses(Deut.5:1-11:32)

Moses gathers the people to remind them of the laws and norms that Yahweh gave
them on Mt. Horeb (Sinai). He reiterates the Decalogue albieit in an expanded
format. (Deut.5:6-21) (cf. Ex.20:1-17)
The Sabbath commandment is the longest. The law on Coveting now includes not
only the contents of the house but the neighbours wife also as a separate
command.
Then we have the famous Shema. It is the Jewish creed that is to be recited every
day.
Hear O Israel: Yahweh is one alone. And you shall love Yahweh, your God, with all
your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deut.6:4-5)
This is a call to monotheism. A call to exclusive devotion to Yahweh.
Moses goes further. He exhorts the Israelites to,
Engrave on your heart the commandments that I pass on to you today. Repeat
them over and over to your children, speak of them when you are at home and
when you travel, when you lie down and when you rise. Brand them on your hand
as a sign and keep them always before your eyes. Engrave them on your doorposts
and on your city gates. (Deut.6:6-9)
With Ex.13:9,16 and Deut. 11:18, this injunction, gave rise to the wearing of
phylacteries - - -pouches containing these texts worn on the forehead and left
forearm. 88.
The shema is from the Hebrew and means Heart. It contains all of Deut. 6:4-9).
Jesus quotes it in the New Testament, (Mark 12:29-30), when a teacher of the law
asked him the question,
Which commandment is first of all?
It is reiterated even more strongly in Deut.11:18-20. Yahweh is a jealous God. The
people were to worship him alone.
Your God who is in your midst, is a jealous God and when he burns in anger, you
shall disappear from the face of the earth. You shall not put Yahweh your God, to the
test, as you did at Massah.
(Deut.6:15-16)
The part above that is underlined was the reply of Jesus to Satan when Jesus was
carried to the high wall of the temple and told to throw himself down to show how
the angels would save Jesus in a spectacular display of power. (Matt.4:7)
Massah was a place in the Exodus narrative where Moses was forced to draw water
from a rock to quell the complaints of the people. (Ex.17:1-7)

In verses 20 to 25 of chapter 6 we see the question and answer format that begins
the annual Passover meal in every Israelite family. One of the children will ask,
Father what are we about to do? the father will reply with a summation of the
Exodus.
Genocide of the Canaanites (Deut. 7:1-11)
Moses commands the Israelites to destroy completely the tribes that they encounter
in the Promised Land. This is a brutal and horrifying command. It offends Western
ears. Yet the purpose is to ensure that the people will not be swayed into idolatry.
When he has given them into your hand and you defeat them, you must destroy
them all according to the law of Anathema. (Deut.7:2)
The Chosen people were not to intermarry with the Canaanite tribes. They were to
show no compassion. All were to be killed, the old, the young, men, women and
children. Anathema meant annihilation. All the symbols of idolatry were to be
destroyed also.
destroy their altars and break their sacred pillars into pieces, demolish their poles
and burn their idols. (Deut.7:5)
For their fidelity to Yahweh, they would receive this promise,
You shall be more favoured than all the peoples; there will be no sterile male or
female among your people or in your livestock. (Deut.7:14)
The campaign to eradicate the occupants of the Land destined for the chosen
people would not be gained by one spectacular invasion, but would occur
little by little before your eyes. (Deut.7:22)
Remember the Past (Deut.8:1-20)
Moses exhorts the Israelites to remember how they became a people. They
experienced want and hunger. Yet Yahweh provided for their needs. There garments
did not wear out. (8:4) nor did they suffer in their feet for their years of travel in a
harsh environment. When they knew hunger,
He gave you manna to eat which neither you nor your fathers had known, to show
you that man lives not on bread alone, but all the proceeds from the mouth of God
is life for man. (Deut.8:3)
The section underlined was the response of Jesus to the first temptation by Satan to
have Jesus satiate his hunger by turning stones into bread. (Matt.4:3-4)

The Past Revisited (Deut.9:1-11:24)

In preparation for the invasion, Moses reminds the people that any success the
chosen people would have was to be attributed to Yahweh and not to themselves.
The author is writing well after the fact, perhaps 600 or 700 years after the actual
invasion of Canaan, so he is indicating a fault that could be attributed to the
Israelite ancestors pride in their own prowess.
Yahweh drove those nations out because of their wickedness. It is not by your
merits nor because you are good that you will conquer the land. (Deut.9:4-5)
In point of fact, Moses refers to the Chosen People as a rebellious people. (9:10)
He then proceeds to enumerate their deeds of rebellion starting with Mt. Horeb
(Sinai) where there was wholesale apostasy, Taberah, Massah, Meriba and Kadesh
where they refused to enter the Promised Land.
Moses must have been an extraordinary man to endure the constant murmuring of
his stiff necked companions.
He constantly reminds them to follow Yahweh and
Love him and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut.10:12)
this was reminiscent of the Shema in (6:4) He had a deeper awareness of Yahweh
that the others did not comprehend.
see the heavens, those that are seen and those that are unseen, the earth and all
that is in it, everything belongs to Yahweh, your God. (Deut.10:14)
Circumcise therefore the foreskins of your hearts and be stiff necked no longer.
(Deut.10:16)
Moses then lists the attributes of Yahweh that the Israelites must imitate. It is a
compendium of social justice.
When he judges, he treats everyone equally, he does not let himself be bought by
gifts. He renders justice to the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving
him bread and clothing. Love the stranger then, because you yourselves were
strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deut.10:17-19)
A Blessing or a Curse (Deut.11:26-32)
This brings to an end the first section of Deuteronomy. It calls for a choice. Obey
Yahweh and prosper. You will be blessed. Fall into idolatry and you will be cursed.
You will set the blessing on Mt. Gerizim and the curse on Mt. Ebal. (Deut.11:29)
The twin peaks of Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal are to the West of the Jordan River, in
the Central Highlands. They are in the territory of Samaria and not for from the

ancient capital of Samaria. Shechem is in between the two peaks and was the site
of a covenant treaty when the Israelite tribes formed a federation. (Josh.24:25-27)
Joshua called the tribes together, he fixed laws and ordinances and renewed the
covenant between the people and Yahweh.
The Law Book (Deut.12:1-26:15) The Code of Conduct
This begins the second section of Deuteronomy. It is the core of the book. It is a
collection of laws that has passed through many stages of redaction and
refinement. In a sense is forms the constitution of Israel.
Deuteronomy is more than just a constitution; it is also a prophetic road map for
Israel. After forty years, Moses had figured out what God always knew, that the
people of Israel would always be tempted by foreign gods, and that their weakness
would lead to the destruction of the nation. But Moses also knew that God would not
let Israel be completely destroyed. The Israelites would lose everything because of
their faithlessness, but their loss would turn their hearts back to God. 89.
In Chapter 12 we have the beginning of the laws which must govern Israel if they
are to really become Gods people. 90.
The Sanctuary Law (Deut. 12:1-27)
The first place where the Ark was deposited was at Shiloh. This was not far from the
place of the renewed covenant at Shechem. Later, Jerusalem would become the
center of the cult when David brought the ark there after routing the Jebusites.
It was important that the chosen people had one site of worship to provide a sense
of unity for the people. This was in marked contrast to the proliferation of shrines
amongst the Canaanites. It was important also for the centralization of the
priesthood.
There you shall eat in the presence of Yahweh and feast together with your
families, enjoying everything you have reaped through the blessing of Yahweh.
(Deut.12:7)
Of their own livestock other than the first born, the people could eat freely in their
own cities.
Only take care not to eat the blood because blood and life are one and you must
not eat the life with the flesh. Do not eat it but pour it as water is poured upon the
land. (Deut. 12:23-24)
Concerning Apostasy (Deut.13:1-19) (14:1-2)
What about the prophet or the professional dreamer who gives you signs or
miracles? (Deut.13:2)

If they entice the Israelites to worship other gods then no one is to pay attention to
them. Likewise, even if some members of ones own family tries to lure the other
family members into idolatry, they are to be denounced and killed by stoning. If in
some city that the Israelites occupy they discover a proliferation of false gods, the
cities inhabitants are to be put to the sword and its contents destroyed.
You shall pile up all the plunder in the center of the square and set the city on fire
and all the plunder so as to fulfill the curse of Yahweh. This city will forever be a
heap of ruins, and will never again be rebuilt. (Deut.13:17)
The people are not to imitate the mourning rites of the Canaanites by cutting
themselves or shaving their heads.
You will not cut yourselves or cut the hair on your forehead for the dead.
(Deut.14:1)
Animals clean and Unclean (Deut.14:3-21)
Clean referred to animals that chewed the cud and had split hooves.
This category included. Ox, sheep, goat, deer gazelle, roebuck, wild goat, ibex,
antelope and mountain sheep. (Deut.14:4-5)
The pig was expressly forbidden. The main reason was its use as a sacrifice to
pagan idols. It was also a very messy animal, wallowing in mud and eating in a
disgusting manner.
Of animals that lived in water, those permitted for consumption were those with
scales and fins. Of birds, most were prohibited. The list is similar to that contained in
Lev. 11:13-19.
No list is provided of clean birds. All winged insects were excluded with the
exception of crickets, grass hoppers and some kinds of locusts.
Any animal that is found dead is not to be consumed. The reason is that its blood
has not been drained. Yet there is a funny twist to this prohibition.
You may give it to the foreigner who lives in your city or sell it to the stranger.
(Deut.14:21)
Those two categories of people are not consecrated to Yahweh.
Tithes (Deut.14:22-29)
Tithing, the payment of one tenth in support of a sanctuary, was an ancient
practice and not confined to Israel. (Gen.14:20,28:22, Amos.4:4). With the offering
of first fruits and the seventh year release, it acknowledged Yahwehs ownership
of the land. 91.

There is an important change in Deuteronomy.

Every three years, separate the tithes of all the years harvest but store them in
the city. Then the Levite among you who has no inheritance of his own, and the
foreigner, the orphan and the widow who live in your cities may come and eat and
be satisfied. (Deut.14:28-29)
This change indicates a development late in the history of the Israelites perhaps
pre-exilic in origin, but certainly not from the time of the Invasion of Canaan.

Debts, slavery and Assistance to the Poor (Deut.15:1-18)

Every seven years you shall pardon debts. (Deut.15:1)
This does not apply to the foreigner but only a fellow Israelite.
If there are poor people in the cities of the land
do not harden your heart or close your hand, but be open handed and lend him all
that he needs. (Deut.15:7-8))
When you give anything, give it willingly. (Deut.15:10)
If in the seventh year your slave wishes to remain with you,
take an awe and thrust it through his ear into the door of your house and he shall
serve you forever. (Deut.15:17)
This seems somewhat barbaric. Even today, farmers do it to animals in order to
place a tag. Other symbols of ownership of a slave in some ancient and modern
cultures were far more painful. Why the ear? Because it is the organ of hearing and
the sign of obedience.
The Feasts (Deut.16:1-17)
Moses reminds the people of the three major feasts that it is mandatory to
celebrate.

The Passover supper.

Pentecost.
Feast of Tents.

It is encumbant upon the males to come before Yahweh on these occasions.

Three times a year all your men shall present themselves before Yahweh, your
God, in a place chosen by him: on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (Passover) on the

Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and on the Feast of Tents. And you shall not present
yourselves empty handed. (Deut.16:16-17)
Worship of Heavenly Bodies (Deut.17:2-7)
This was a feature of many ancient cultures. It was common in Mesopotamia but not
exclusive to that region. However for the Israelites it was a serious offence.
If they go to serve other gods and bow down before them to the sun, or the
moon, or the stars of heaven which I have forbidden, - - - you shall bring to the
gates of the city, that man or woman who committed the misdeed, and you shall
stone him or her to death. (Deut.17:3-5)

Difficult Judicial Cases

Such as a legal dispute or murder or a quarrel because of injuries, these are to be
brought before the city Tribunal.
Dealing with disputed matters of criminal law it was composed of a lay judge and
one or more priests. 92.
The decision of the court is final. If a person acts contrary to the instructions of the
priests and judge, that person is condemned to death.
Kings (Deut.17:14-20)
It is clear that this section is written well after Moses and with the history in mind of
the Monarchy beginning with Saul. The author is conscious of the Reign of King
Solomon who presided over the Golden Age of a united kingdom. He is also
conscious of Solomons downfall.
The guidelines for the monarchy are set out clearly.

The king is to be an Israelite, not a foreigner.

The king is not to acquire: Many horses,
Many wives,
Large quantities of gold and silver.
He is to copy this Section of Deuteronomy and read it every day of his life.

What was Solomons fall?

Solomon gathered together chariots and horses fourteen hundred chariots and
twelve thousand horses which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in
Jerusalem. (1 Kings. 10:26)

The horse was a symbol of strength. He traded these to the Hittites and the Syrians
in the North.
He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and they
won his heart.
(1 Kings 11:3)
We are told that in his old age his wives led him astray to serve other gods.
Now the weight of gold that Solomon received in one year was six hundred and
sixty six gold talents, not counting that brought by traders, merchants, the kings of
Arabia and the governors of the land.
(1 Kings 10:14)
In addition,
King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion- Geber, near Elath on the shore of the
Red Sea,
(1 Kings 9:26)
When he built the Temple, his luxurious palace, the wall of Jerusalem and many
other edifices, he forced into labour all the remnants of the tribes that the Israelites
had defeated. He did not force this work on his fellow Israelites but he imposed a
heavy tax on each tribe.
The twelve tribes had to supply all the needs of his court, his harem and officials,
one month at a time. (1 Kings 4:7)
He was the wisest king to reign over the Israelites, yet he fell into idolatry and
because of this, Yahweh divided his kingdom when he died. His abundant luxury had
clouded his mind.
Perogatives of the Priesthood (Deut. 18:1-8)
the duties of the priests established at Mt. Sinai were the following :- to take charge
of the Ark; to conduct the daily sacrifices; to make judgments especially in relation
to skin diseases and to instruct in the law.
Strictly speaking each Levite could undertake priestly duties, but this did not work
out in practice, Because of the centralization of worship especially in Jerusalem the
opportunities for the Levites to undertake a priestly function were limited.
For those elected or chosen for priestly duties their share of the daily sacrifices were
as follows:The priest shall be given the shoulder, the jaws and the stomach. You shall also
give him the first fruits of your wheat, your wine and your oil, as well as the first
wool from the shearing of your sheep. (Deut.18:3-4)
True Prophets (Deut.18:9-21)

It is Yahweh who raises up genuine prophets. They are known to be true when the
words they speak are shown to come true. The words of a genuine prophet are not
to be taken lightly.
If someone does not listen to my words when the prophet speaks on my behalf, I
myself will call him to account for it. (Deut.18:19)
On the other hand, there are those who must be driven away.
Anyone who makes his child pass through the fire, or one who practices divination,
or anyone who consults the stars, who is a sorcerer, or one who practices
enchantments or who consults the spirits, no diviner or one who asks questions of
the dead. (Deut.18:10-11)
No doubt, the author was conscious of the sin of King Saul at Endor when he
consulted the witch.
(1 Sam.28)

The cities of Refuge (Deut.19:1-21)

This is a repeat of Numbers 35 and Joshua 20:7-8.
The Israelites had a very strong sense of family solidarity and of revenge. When a
person killed another person, even unintentionally, the family of the dead person
had to kill the killer. 93.
For accidental death, the offender could flee to one of these cities and be safe.
Three in the promised land and three beyond the Jordan.
Kadesh, SHechem, Kiritah-arba, Bezer, Ramoth-gilead and Golan.
But if a man, because of a feud with his neighbor, ambushes him and falls on him
and wounds him fatally, and if afterwards the aggressor flees into one of these
cities, the heads of the city shall order that he be arrested there in the place of
asylum. And he shall be put in the hands of the relatives of the victim that they may
kill him. (Deut.19:11-12)
Markers (Deut.19:14)
The moving of markers that defined boundaries between neighbours was a form of
stealing. The law prohibited such an action. No mention is made of the punishment
for such an act but it was one of the complaints of both the prophet Hosea and the
prophet Micah when they preached in the Northern and Southern Kingdoms during
the 8th Century B.C. (Hos.5:10, Mic.2:2)
Rules of War (Deut.20:1-20)

When the Israelites confront an enemy that is better equipped e.g. with horses, and
more numerous, they are not to let fear overwhelm them. They have to remember
that Yahweh is on their side.
In order to encourage them before battle,
the priest shall advance to the head of the army and shall speak to the people.
(Deut.20:2)
We have to remember that the Israelites in the early stages of the conquest were
not trained soldiers. They were essentially nomads who herded flocks. Their
weapons were perhaps rudimentary and until the time of the kings they probably
were on foot, having no organized cavalry or chariots.
There were exemptions permitted amongst the fighting men. The priest would urge
the following to return home:

Anyone
Anyone
Anyone
Anyone

who has not dedicated a newly built house.

who has not enjoyed the fruits of a new vineyard.
engaged to be married.
who is overly fearful, lest he discourage others.

When attacking a city,

You shall first offer it terms of peace. (Deut.20:10)
If the inhabitants accept, then they are to serve the Israelites as slaves. If they
refuse, then when the city is taken, if it is outside the promised land, all the men are
to be put to the sword but the women, children and livestock are to be spared as
booty.
If the city in question is one given to the Israelites as their heritage then,
You shall not leave anything that lives. You must destroy them all according to the
law of Anathema. (Deut.20:16-17)
When attacking a city, the attackers were not to destroy the fruit bearing trees in
the surrounding region, only those which are not fruit bearing,
cut them down and make ladders and instruments out of them with which you may
seize the city that offers you resistance. (Deut.20:20)
Miscellaneous Laws (Deut.21:1-23:1)
1. The corpse of a man slain by an unidentified killer. Judges are to estimate
what city the dead man came from and the leaders of that city will take a calf
and break its neck over a brook. They shall wash their hands in the brook and
confess their innocence of the slain mans blood. What happens to the

carcass of the dead calf is not explained. One can assume that it is burnt as a
holocaust completely. No one should partake of it as it was not drained of
blood.
2. The rights of the firstborn must be respected. If a man has two wives and the
first one bears a son even if the man prefers the second wife to the first, the
son of the first wife shall have the birthright. This means he will receive a
double share when the inheritance is divided amongst the children.
3. A woman captured in war may become a captors wife. She must shave her
head and clip her nails. (Deut.21:12) she must change her clothes and
mourn her mother and father for a month. If later the captor is dissatisfied
with her she shall be set free.
4. If a child is utterly rebellious and disobedient towards its parents he shall be
brought before the leaders of the city to be judged then he shall be stoned to
death.
5. A lost ox or sheep must be returned to its owner.
6. Cross dressing is forbidden. A woman must not wear a mans clothing nor a
man the clothing of a woman. This is to combat the Canaanite cultic
transvetism.
7. Co mingling is forbidden. e.g. Yoking an ox with an ass. Wearing garments
woven from wool and linen together.
8. If a new house is constructed, the roof must be surrounded by a small wall to
prevent someone falling.
9. Sowing a crop between rows of vines is forbidden.
10.Tassels are to be sewn on the four corners of ones cloak.
11.If a man lies that his wife was not a virgin before he married her, the parents
of the girl shall vindicate her before the city judges. The man will be arrested
and whipped and fined 100 silver coins. Which will be given to the girls
father. If a man does find out that his wife was indeed not a virgin before he
married her, the people shall stone her to death at the door of the fathers
house because she has defiled the sanctity of marriage and played the
prostitute.
12.If a man is caught sleeping with a married woman, both shall die.
13.If a man meets a woman in the fields and the woman is promised to someone
else, the he forces himself upon her, the man is to die but not the woman. If
the same situation arises but the girl is not promised to anyone, then he must
marry the girl and pay the girls father 50 pieces of silver. The father cannot
prohibit the marriage.
14.No man is to sleep with the wife of his father. This is a grave dishonor to his
father.
Humanitarian and Cultic Law (Deut.23:2-25:19)
1. Men whose testicles are crushed or penis cut or of mixed race descent are
excluded from the assembly. Ammonites and Moabites are also excluded, but
Egyptians and Edomites of the third generation are acceptable.

2. Men who have a involuntary nocturnal emission are unclean until the
evening. They must bathe himself before coming back into the camp.
3. If a person wishes to defecate, he or she must do so outside the camp. A hole
must be dug for the excrement and then covered up. The camp is sacred to
Yahweh.
One hopes that there was system of latrines for the population and for each
dwelling when the Israelites occupied cities. Otherwise there would be serious
health issues.
4. Escaped slaves may seek refuge in other households in any city they flee to.
They are not to be oppressed.
5. Cultic prostitution both male and female is forbidden.
6. The practice of usury is permitted only with regard to the foreigner and never
to a fellow Israelite.
7. Vows to Yahweh must be fulfilled on time.
8. If you pass through the vineyard or wheat field of a neighbor you may pluck
grapes or ears of wheat but you cannot cut or take any away.
9. If a man marries a woman and is dissatisfied with her, he may write her a
certificate of divorce and send her away. If a second man also sends her
away, the first husband cannot take her back.
10.The newly married man is exempt from war.
11.Mills and grindstones are essential to a household. They are not to be used as
a pledge.
12.The kidnapper of an Israelite is to die.
13.Follow the guidelines for contagious leprosy.
14.Wait outside the house of one who has pledged to you one of his possessions.
Let him bring it to you.
15.The cloak of a poor man, taken as a pledge, must be returned by evening.
16.Do not exploit the poor or the lowly. Pay him his wages before the sun goes
down. This applies to your fellow Israelite and the foreigner.
17.Parents are not to be put to death for the sin of their children nor vice versa.
Everyone must pay for his own sin.
18.Do not violate the rights of the orphan, the widow or the foreigner.
19.When harvesting, leave what falls to be gleaned by the foreigner, orphan and
widow.
20.When a judge decides that one of the opponents in a dispute should be
flogged, the flogging must be proportionate to the offence and cannot exceed
40 stripes. (Later this was reduced to 39 so that the limit would not be
exceeded. (cf.2Cor.11:12) )
21.When an ox threshes grain it should not be muzzled. It should be free to eat
the stubble.
22.If a married man dies without issue, the brother must marry the widow and
the first male child shall bear the name of the deceased man so that his
name is perpetuated. If the brother refuses to marry the widow she may take
her complaint to the judges at the city gates and there insult the brother, by
removing one of his sandals and spitting in his face.
23.If two men are fighting and the wife of one assists her husband by grabbing
his opponents testicles, her hand is to be severed.

24.Weights and measures are to be exact.

25.Remember the treachery of Amelek.
The Ritual of the First Fruits (Deut.26:1-11)
This is mentioned already in chapter 12:1-14. Here, it is expanded to include the
words of the ritual. The first fruits are to be placed in a large basket and
presented to the priest on duty. There follows a confession referring to the grace
Yahweh has given him to reside in the promised land.
The priest will take the large basket and place it before the altar of Yahweh. The
man offering the first fruits will recite this formula.
My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt to find refuge there,
while still few in number, but in that country, he became a great and powerful
nation. - - -So now I bring and offer the first fruits of the land which you Yahweh
have given me. (Deut.26:5-10)
Afterwards the offerer will return home and feast with his family. If there is a Levite
or foreigner living with him they also shall share in the harvest feast.
The Third Year of Tithing (Deut. 26:12-18)
Mentioned already in chapter 14:28-29. This is a sacred obligation every third year
to set aside the tithe for the Levite, the foreigner, the widow and the orphan. The
Israelites had a social system that catered for the disadvantaged. None of the
neighbouring countries had anything similar. The Poor and the marginalized were
especially sacred to Yahweh.
If the offerer has already disposed of his tithe, to the Levites, the foreigner, the
widow and the orphan
The offerer shall present himself before Yahweh and proclaim his innocence in
reference to the mourning rituals for the dead. He has not offered food to the dead
as was the Canaanite practice. Nor has he himself consumed any of the tithe. He
makes this declaration with empty hands for he has already disposed of his third
year tithe according to the social regulations.
Reciprocal Commitment (Deut.26:16-19)
Moses reminds the people that if they follow the Norms and laws set down by
Yahweh and observe them,
With all your heart and soul. (Deut.26:16) then Yahweh will declare that the
Israelites will be his chosen people. He will give them honour, renown and glory
and set them high above the neighbouring nations.
The Shechem Covenant Ritual (Deut.27:1-26)

The author is writing perhaps in the last days of the kingdom of Judah. (6 th Cent.BC)
He is recalling the Covenant proclaimed by Joshua (Jos.8:32) (c.12 th Century BC) at
Shechem. Mt. Ebal lay to the North of Shechem.
The people were ordered to build on Mt. Ebal an altar of unhewn stones, to Yahweh.
From here curses would be proclaimed. In marked contrast the Western tribes
shall stand on Mt. Gerizim to repeat the blessings over the people. (Deut.27:12)
The tribes pronouncing the curses on Mt. Ebal were Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun,
Dan and Naphtali. They were to repeat the words (curses) spoken by the Levites.
The curses were 12. In brief they dealt with the following : 1.Making an idol.
markers.

2. Dishonor to parents.

3.moving a neighbours

4.Leading people astray. 5.Neglecting the rights of foreigner, orphan and widow.
6.Sleeping with a fathers wife. 7. Beastiality.
9.Sleeping with in-laws. 10.Murder.

8.Incest.
11.Accepting bribes.

12.Not practicing the law.

No definite punishments are prescribed, but all are offences against the social fabric
contained in the law. The offenders were automatically cut off from the
community. They were subject to Anathema.
In order to remind the people of the law, Joshua
Wrote upon the stones a copy of the law which Moses had written. (Josh.8:32)
(Deut.27:2-3)
Conclusion of the Second Address by Moses (Deut.28:1-69)
Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy continues the theme of blessings if the people obey the
law of Yahweh and curses if they fail to do so.
The blessings bring abundance in the cities and in the fields. Obedience will lead to
holiness.
Yahweh will make you a holy people. (Deut.28:9)
The land will be fruitful and the peoples prosperity,
Will set you at the head of the nations and not the tail. (Deut.28:13)

The other side of the coin is disobedience, leading to profound and frightening
curses. The list is exhaustive and appears to be post exilic in composition, written
with the terror of the siege of Jerusalem clearly in mind.
The curses are as follows : Failure of crops; pestilence; Tuberculoses; Fever and other illness; drought; defeat in
battle; rotting bodies as food for the birds; madness; wholesale immortality and
robbery; Your children taken into slavery; boils; exile; plagues of insects; debt to
foreigners; taken as captives; conquered by a cruel nation; cities besieged;
starvation and cannibalism; distrust of one another; scattered among the nations;
the Author knows that all of this happened. The chosen people were an unfaithful
people.
Chapter 28 seems to have been the original end to the book of Deuteronomy.
Third Address of Moses (Deut.29:1-30:20)
The redactor has included here some later material either from the exile or post
exilic period.
Moses reminds the assembly of their past history,
Wandering in the desert for forty years. V.4; their victories over Sihon, King of
Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, and their covenant with Yahweh.
He warns them that they do not have a license to do what they want, the saying
I shall have peace though I do as I please, the just and the sinner perish together.
(Deut.29:18)
Is false and leads only to incite Yahwehs rage against such a person.
If the law is not followed, Israel will suffer the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah, it
will become
A land of salt and sulphur. (v.22)
Other nations will understand that the demise of Israel was due to abandoning their
God, Yahweh, and following foreign gods.
The present is linked to the past by the redactor.
Yahweh, your God will bring back the captives of your people - - - and gather you
again from all the nations.
He knows the exile occurred and he knows that in 538 BC. A remnant, but not all, of
the exiles in Babylon returned to Jerusalem.

The reversal of fortune will come about because Yahweh is a loving and faithful God.
He will
Circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants that you may love
Yahweh with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut.30:6)
The commands of Yahweh are not beyond the reach of the people.
These commandments that I give you today are neither too high or too far from
you. (Deut.30:11)
They are not in the heavens or on the other side of the sea. They are not beyond
the peoples comprehension. They are memorized and can be understood. They
serve as a platform for social justice.
The Two Ways(Deut.30:15-20)
This forms the conclusion of the third address of Moses. He sets before them a
choice.
I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that
you and your descendants may live. (Deut.30:19)
There is no middle ground. Obey and live. Disobey and die.
The Appointment of Joshua to replace Moses (Duet.31:1-8)
After this, Moses called Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel: `Be
valiant and strong, you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh swore
to their ancestors he would give them and you shall give it to them as their
possession. Yahweh shall go before you. (Deut.31:7-8)
Then Moses commands Joshua to gather the people every seven years to read them
the Law at the Feast of Tents so that each group of children will learn it and fear
Yahweh.
This is the only mention in the Pentateuch of such an assembly. It is highly probable
that it never became an established event.
The Commissioning by Yahweh (Deut.31:14-30)
Moses and Joshua presented themselves before Yahweh at the Tent of Meeting.
Yahweh appeared to them in a column of cloud.
He warned both of them that the people would rebel and follow strange gods. When
that happens Yahweh says,
I shall abandon them and hide my face from them. (Deut.31:17)

He commands Moses to write a song,

So write this song and teach it to the children of Israel and have them remember it,
for this song shall be my witness against the children of Israel. (Deut.31:19)
Moses obeyed Yahweh.
He had the book of the Law placed beside the Ark, then called together all the
leaders and secretaries of the tribes and told them what he would do. Then calling
all the people to an assembly, he recited the song he had been inspired to compose.
The Song of Moses (Deut.32:1-43)
This is taken from a Tradition that is derived from a time prior to the Exile and
inserted here by the redactor of Deuteronomy.
The song opens by calling the heavens as a witness. Yahweh is proclaimed as a
Rock and faithful, in contrast to the fickle Israelites. Moses then reminds the
people of the divine choice of Jacobs descendents as a special race. Yahweh
nurtured them
He gave them honey to suck from the rock, olive oil from the hard stony crag.
(Deut.32:13)
Despite the kindness of Yahweh,
They sacrificed not to him but to the demons, to gods they had not known.
(Deut.32:17)
So Yahweh sent upon then,
trouble upon trouble. (V.23)
And literally blotted out their memory among humankind. (They were dispersed
around the known world and finally granted statehood in 1948 under the auspices
of the United Kingdom.)
Lest all the neighbouring nations boast that their God had deserted them and will
say,
Where are their gods, the rock they thought could be their refuge, who ate the fat
of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their libations? (Deut.32:37-38)
Yahweh dealt vengeance on their foes destroying the Assyrians and the Babylonians
and bringing back a remnant to Jerusalem.
Who are these other gods referred to?

In Genesis when God divided up the world amongst the nations it was a Canaanite
belief that,
Elyon, high God of the Canaanite pantheon, assigned each of the 70 nations of the
world
(Genesis Chap.10) to one of the 70 dieties of the Pantheon and that
Israel had the good fortune to be assigned to Yahweh. 94.
The Song of Moses ends with a joyful note that the Servant of Yahweh will be
vindicated and restored. A clear reference to the Israelites. The chapter ends with
Moses being commanded by Yahweh to ascend Mount Nebo and there to die and be
buried in a nearby valley. The site of his burial has never been discovered.
The Blessings of Moses upon the People (Deut.33:1-29)
This poem, called the Blessing of Moses, consists of a series of poetic
characterizations of each of the tribes of Israel. (V.6-25) introduced (v.2-3) and
concluded (v.26-27) by a theophany; (v.4-5) lead into the blessing proper; and the
poem ends with a blessing on Israel as a whole (v.28-29). This catalogue of the
tribes of Israel resembles the Blessing of Jacob (Gen.49) and the song of Deborah
(Jgs 5 especially v.14-18) all three poems seem to date from the early premonarchic
period. 95.
In v.5 A king arose in Jeshurun, the term Jerusalem is another name for Israel. In
the list of tribes, Levis name is associated with the Thummim and Urim, the articles
of divination, and with the rebellions at Massah and Meriba. Why they were
connected with these two rebellions is unclear. They were loyal to Yahweh. It was
the Levis that Moses ordered to slay all those who indulged in idol worship at the
foot of Mt. Sinai.
Joseph seemed to receive the greatest praise.
for he is the chosen one among his brothers. (Deut.33:16)
The sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, are counted as separate tribes while
Simeon is not mentioned at all.
Zebulon and Issachar occupied the important Esdraelon plain.
They call the peoples to the sacred mountain for the prescribed sacrifices. They
enjoy the riches of the sea and the hidden treasures of the sand. (Deut.33:19)
The sacred mountain is most likely Mt. Gerizim, the mountain of blessings, situated
on the southern side of the Esraelon valley. The riches of the sea and the
treasures of the sand are not identified. There is however a speculative theory
that they refer to sea trade or fishing and
the purple dye extracted from certain marine shells found on the coast of northern
Palestine. 96.

The tribe of Gad occupied choice land on the Eastern Side of the Jordan river and is
referred to as a lioness. (v.20)
They provided the bulk of soldiers during the initial stages of the conquest of the
Promised Land. (Num.32:25-27)
The tribe of Reuben joined Gad in the fighting but seemed to have smaller numbers.
It was finally absorbed by Gad. The tribe of Dan occupied the extreme North Eastern
part of the promised land. Why it is referred to as a lions cub(v.22) is unclear.
The tribe of Naphtali is filled with favours (v.23) It ranged from the Western side of
the sea of Galilee up to the border with Syria. It was blessed as the center for the
missionary activity of Christ. It was a moderately wealthy region. Nazareth was
either within its borders or those of nearby Zubulon.
The Tribe of Aser bordered on the Phonecian cities.
Let him put his foot in oil. (v.24) is a reference to prolific olive groves, but May his
fastening bars be iron and bronze. (v.25) has not been adequately explained
except that iron and bronze were symbols of strength.
The Blessings end with praise for Yahweh.
There is none like our God, O Israel who walks above the heavens, riding above the
clouds, and comes to help you in his zeal. (Deut.33:26)
The Death of Moses (Deut.34:1-12)
This is a fitting conclusion to the Pentateuch. Moses ascended to the summit of Mt.
Nebo (Pisgah) and from there he surveyed the whole of the promised land.
Moses, the servant of God, died there in the land of Moab, according to the will of
Yahweh. They buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor: but
to this very day, no one knows where his tomb is. (Deut.34:5-6)
Moses was the first of the prophets and because of his close relationship with
Yahweh over a long period of time perhaps the greatest also.
Reflecting on the long history of prophecy in Israel,
No prophet like Moses has appeared again. (Deut.34:10)
We are told that at the end of his life,
He did not lose his vigor and his eyes still saw clearly. (v.7)
He was a strong man and leader. His death is mysterious. There is something epic in
his solitary end. In some ways he was the true founder of Israel.

Through him a new religion came into being. The right of succession was given to
Joshua, on whom Moses had laid his hands, (v.9) and the whole saga of the
Pentateuch came to an end.

Section 9

Sources

1. New Jerome Biblical Commentary Art.6 P.4, Theological Publications

in India, Bangalore.1999 Henceforth this source will be defined by the
acronym N.J.B.C.
2. Understanding the Scriptures S.Hahn. Midwest Theological Forum,
Illinois, 2005. P.49
3. The Mystical City of God, Mother Mary Agreda, Blue Army of Our
Lady of Fatima, New Jersy 1993. P.30-31.
4. Agreda, P.34.
5. Agreda, P.35.
6. Agreda. P.47.
7. The Life of Jesus Christ, Anne Catherine Emmerich, Tan books, Vol.1
P.17
8. A.C.E Vol.1, P.12
9. A.C.E Vol.1, P.9
10.
A.C.E Vol.1, P.24-25.
11.
A.C.E Vol.1, P.26.
12.
N.J.B.C. Art.6, P.13
13.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.75.
14.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.73.
15.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.79.
16.
N.J.B.C. Art.21, P.20.
17.
A.C.E. Vol.1, P.64-71.
18.
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. S.Hahn and C.Mitch Ignatius Press.
2001. P.424.
19.
A Father who keeps His Promises, S.Hahn, Charis, Servant
Publications, 1998, P.102.
20.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.94.
21.
N.J.B.C., Art.30, P.23.
22.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Word & Life Publications, 1994
Arts.2357, 2358, 2359.
23.
N.J.B.C Art.70, P.1229.

24.
N.J.B.C. Art.31, P.23.
25.
N.J.B.C Art.32, P.24.
26.
A Father Keeps His Promises, S.Hahn, P.107.
27.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.101.
28.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al, Oxford University Press.
P.42 The Old Testament.
29.
N.J.B.C Art.37, P.26.
30.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.108.
31.
The Catholic Study Bible, D. Senior et al, P.43.
32.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.110.
33.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et. al., P.46.
34.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.111.
35.
The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and the Dark Night St.John of the
Cross, Simplified by John Venard O.C.D. Claretian Publications, 1986,
P.297.
36.
N.J.B.C. Art.50, P.31.
37.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.116.
38.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et. al., P.54.
39.
N.J.B.C. Art.52, P.33.
40.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn P.117.
41.
N.J.B.C, Art.65, P.38.
42.
N.J.B.C, Art.65, P.38.
43.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al P.69.
44.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn P.122.
45.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al P.74.
46.
N.J.B.C Art.71, P.42.
47.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn P.34.
48.
The Living World of the Old Testament, B.W. Anderson.
Longinan Publishers, 1967, P.32.
49.
The Living Word of the Old Testament, B.W. Anderson, P.30
50.
N.J.B.C. Art.42, P.1226.
51.
Christian Community Bible, B.Hurault, Paulines Publishing
House, 2010, Commentary P.112.
52.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.131.
53.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al P.85.
54.
The Poem of the Man-God, M.Valtorta, Vol.5 P.553.
55.
The Living World of the Old Testament, B.W. Anderson, P.44.
56.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn P.135.
57.
Christian Community Bible, B.Hurault, Paulines Publishers,
2010, Commentary P.125.
58.
N.J.B.C Art.23, P.49.
59.
N.J.B.C Art.25, P.49.
60.
N.J.B.C. Art.25, P.50.
61.
N.J.B.C Art.42, P.1226.
62.
The Catholic Study Bible D.Senior et.al. P.103.

63.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn P.133.
64.
N.J.B.C. Art.33, P.52.
65.
N.J.B.C. Art.44, P.55.
66.
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67.
N.J.B.C. Art.56, P.57.
68.
N.J.B.C. Art.75, P.60.
69.
N.J.B.C. Art.2&3, P.61.
70.
N.J.B.C. Art.7, P.63.
71.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al. P.128.
72.
N.J.B.C. Art.21, P.67.
73.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al P.144.
74.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al. P.131.
75.
N.J.B.C Art.35, P.72.
76.
N.J.B.C. Art.37, P.72.
77.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senior et.al P.132.
78.
The Gospels & Epistles of St. John R.E. Brown, St. Pauls, 1994.
P.49.
79.
N.J.B.C Art.53, P.78.
80.
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81.
The Catholic Study Bible, D.Senoir et.al P.198.
82.
Christian Community Bible, B.Hurault, St.Pauls, 2010,
Commentary P.231.
83.
N.J.B.C. Art.53, P.90.
84.
N.J.B.C. Art.58, P.91.
85.
How to Read the Old Testament, E.Charpentier, Claretian
Publications, 1997, P.56.
86.
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87.
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88.
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89.
Understanding the Scriptures, S.Hahn, P.159-160.
90.
Christian Community Bible, B.Hurault, Commentary P.266.
91.
N.J.B.C. Art.36, P.102.
92.
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93.
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94.
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95.
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Table of Contents
The Book of Genesis
Section 1.

Section 2.
Section 3.

Beginnings
Chp.1-11
The Patriarchs
Chp.12-36
Joseph
Chp.37-50

The Book of Exodus

Section 4.
Section 5.

The Exodus Event

Chp.1-18
Sinai
Chp.19-40

The Book of Leviticus

Section 6

Laws & Rubrics

Chp.1-16
The Holiness Code
Chp.17-26
Conclusion
Chp.27

The Book of Numbers

Section 7

Organization of the Community

Chp.1-10
Through the Desert
Chp.11-20
On the Plains of Moab
Chp.20-36.

The Book of Deuteronomy

Section 8

Section 9

First Address of Moses

Chp.1-4
Second Address of Moses
Chp.5-11
The Book of the Law
Chp.12-28
The Third Address of Moses
Chp.29-30
The Last Will, Testament & Death of Moses
Chp.31-34
Sources

Foreword
Two Parts of scriptures were extremely important to the Israelites and still are
today. The Pentateuch and the Prophets. They also form an important

heritage for Christians, as do the other works of the Old Testament, the
Historical works and the writings.
The complete Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament.
Shekinah is a commentary on the Pentateuch drawn from a variety of
sources. One source that has been particularly useful is the
New Jerome Biblical Commentary which is designated in the sources by
the Acronym, N.J.B.C.
The aim of the Manuscript, Shekinah is to provide lay people with a
readable account of the first five books of the bible. In parts it is heavy going,
particularly the sections dealing with rubrics and legislation. The narratives
are by far more interesting. However to persevere in reading the whole
package, gives one an insight into the culture of the Israelites, in the past
and today.
One facet of the Jewish culture that is puzzling is the fact, that a chosen
special people are blind to the revelation that their scriptures prepare for a
Messiah who came and walked among their ancestors. They still dont get
the full picture. When will their eyes be opened?
R.D.
Remeeus