The Book of Exodus
Fall 2003 Bible Study

Exodus 5-6

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

We gathered. And oh what gatherings we have. We shared thoughts of God-stuff, we spoke of God-stuff and we acted in God-stuff. We were/are co-creators. It isn't difficult to realize this. Maybe this is where the keys to our salvation lie.

We opened with a reading of someones experience of God - before, during and after certain events. We discussed some new business and I will pass on an invitation to anyone and everyone to come participate at a "Becoming Peace" weekend retreat.

Come avail yourself an opportunity to breathe, to be, to becoming open to birthing peace.

• Date November 21, 22, 23, 2003. Friday 7:30 Pm until Sunday 1pm. Car pooling from SJA 5pm sharp. Bring bag lunch for travel.
• Where Shalom Hill Farm, Windom, MN
• Cost $62 per person for entire weekend meals included. Diet restrictions are accommodated, please request.
• Reservations Limited to 25 people. Checks payable to St. Joan of Arc. Please include return address and phone number. FFI: Marlys @ 612.825.1474 or Karin @ 612.825.1923 Facilitation Planning Team includes Deb Harley, Karin Grosscup and Marlys Weber. Call while openings still exist.

Our facilitator presented us with a couple handouts. One was a biblical Timeline beginning around 1800 BCE (Patriarchs and Matriarchs) through the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem around 165 BCE. Attached to this was a helpful and interesting glossary of biblical terms and a bibliography.

As we did last week, we read aloud in community beginning with latter part of chapter 4 through chapter 7:5 stopping along the way to make points about the text, to ask questions, make jokes and to generally be edified and amazed. Anyone else love the communal reading? Super. Here follows the overview which includes what we read aloud and also discussion points for large and small group.

Actual coverage is Exodus 4:18 through 7:7.

Moses returns to Egypt 4:18 - 23

The Lord sends Aaron to meet Moses in the desert 4:27 - 28

Moses and Aaron meet with the Elders 4:29 - 31.

Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh 5:1 - 5

Pharaoh tells the slaves to find their own straw for brick making, but keep up the quotas. 5:6 - 14

Israelite foremen complain to Pharaoh 5:15 - 18

Israelite foremen blame Moses and Aaron for new oppression 5:19 - 21

Moses complains to God 5:22 - 23

God replies with the whole message of the Exodus 6:1 - 8

Israelites do not listen, for they are discouraged 6:9

Genealogy of Moses and Aaron to show they descended from some real fine folk 6:14 - 25

God tells Moses to speak to Pharaoh, but Moses pleads lockjaw 6:28 - 30

God gives Moses his brother Aaron to be his prophet, and outlines the exodus 7:1 - 5

Moses was 80 and Aaron was 83 years old 7:7

We should try to see how this is the Creator God who redeems Israel as part of the creative process. This God is life giving, life preserving, and life blessing.

The initiative in Exodus is on the part of God - God saw the plight of the slaves, and remembered the promises to the patriarchs and took action. God was not just responding to the pleas of the slaves.

"To know God's name is to know his purpose for all mankind from the beginning to the end." Brevard S. Childs The Book of Exodus p. 119

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in Where do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community, "The Pharaohs had a favorite and effective strategy to keep their slaves in bondage: keep them fighting among themselves. The divide=and-conquer technique has been a potent weapon in the arsenal of oppression. But when the slaves unite, the Red Seas of history open and the Egypts of slavery crumble."

Discussion questions:

• What is slavery? Then and now?
• What is the difference between slavery and commitment?
• What is liberation, socially and personally?
• Did the Israelites worship God prior to Moses' coming?
• Is God all-powerful?
  • If yes, why does God permit evil to exist?
  • If no, just how much power does God have over evil?
• Is there any divine purpose in delaying the conquest of evil?

We split into four small groups for discussion and it was energetic.

During large group we learned and uncovered many interesting things about the story of Exodus but maybe the most intriguing thing of all was what we found over at the local snack bar at the west end of Hospitality Hall.

Oh my gosh they were almost too beautiful to eat. It's almost a shame we had to slice them up and devour. Actually there aren't too many folks complaining. We were stunned by two gorgeous looking "Torte de Uva" which may or may not be Italian for, Grape Torte! Oh my. This was no plain everyday ordinary torte bought from the store. No sireeee. These were bonafide, homemade tortes certified delicious. Not only were they a groovy taste sensation, they were also works of art. Each torte was adorned with a gorgeous tree full of foliage made of grapes and other edibles which remain a mystery. These cakes were dense, rich and literally flowing with eggs and butter. Along with the obvious sugars involved, the grape pieces discovered while chewing the tortee-ly bliss, also added a whole new degree of sweetness that seemed refined and spectacular. Dense, yet light. It is so light I am enjoying my second slice while I type this. I expect wonderful dreams of grand adventures in exotic places.

Thank you Cousin C!

After lively and event-filled small groups we met back in the communal circle for sharing before reading a piece from Thich Nhat Hanh, about mindful observation and learning, which marked another wonderful time spent in fellowship.

Privileges for next week - chapters 7-10

• Facilitator Tom H.
• O. Prayer Louise
• C. Prayer Stephanie
• Treats Rita