In the Old Testament, Abraham and Moses were two very prominent leaders chosen by God to do his will. Throughout Genesis and Exodus, both men play important roles in fulfilling God’s will. They are put to many tests, given covenants, and communicate constantly with God. Although they have many similarities such as being leaders and men of God, there are also many differences between the two.
Another similarity is the way that the gods spoke to people. Both the Egyptian creator gods and the Israelite Creator God spoke through prophets or priests. God spoke through prophets, such as Moses, to the Israelites. The Egyptian gods spoke through oracles, priests and pharaohs to talk to the Egyptians. Some of the pharaohs even thought that they were reincarnations of the god Horus. Both the Egyptians and the Israelites had a creator god who spoke to them through prophets and priests.
Ramses the Pharaoh wouldn’t let the Israelites out of Egypt, so Moses stepped in and led the Israelites out of Egypt, which we know as the Exodus. If I were an Israelite, I would join Moses out of Egypt. I would do this because being a slave would mean being tortured. Moreover, Moses had powers from God, so it was save to be with him. He had the Ten Commandments, so people would know how to live their daily lives.
Moses was the one to continuing approaching a burning bush, and listened to it talk. Despite listening to an inanimate object prophesize to him, Moses knew that the message was whole and pure and instantly believed that this destiny would lead the Israelites to justice (Exodus 3:17). Throughout the rest of his journey, Moses and God shared a similar definition of justice, which is an important reason why they were so successful with their plan. Since God made His plan for Moses and the Israelites so clear, Moses had no choice but to accept God’s perspective and began to trust that His justice was exactly what was needed. It was that simple for him.
Moses was a humble man, but God sees that he is mightier than Moses sees himself. When God tells him that he must lead the Jews out of Egypt, he grows fearful and unworthy of such a task. Moses humility toward God is what makes him capable of such a tremendous mission. Although, he would have much rather not lead the Jews out of Egypt because he is afraid and does not have faith in himself, however, he is able to do it because God has told him to and God would not ask him to do so if it was impossible. Moses successfully leads the Hebrews out of Egypt. Moses was capable of freeing the Jews of slavery with a quality of humility (No Title, 1986).
The significance and the power in relation to the Abrahamic covenant has been recognized and valued individually by each Jewish person and denomination over the years since its occurrence. “I will be your god and you will be my people” declares the Lord. The way in which past and present day Jews interpret and convey this covenantal belief is varied and modernized to meet people within the situations they are faced with, in todays growing and changing society. The interpretations of this covenant withhold the same roots within the beliefs but can vary within the strictness or use of the 10 commandments and other biblical rules and laws present in the Torah. Although the covenant is the root and
pattern of trusting God, then doubting God, then falling from grace and then eventually repenting, but Moses continues to have faith in God. Moses, does have his problems, though. He has anger issues and grows angry with the people of Israel many times, sometimes disobeying God’s direct commands. For this, God forces Moses to suffer the consequences of disobedience and causes Moses to die before he can enter Canaan. This story is indicative of God’s love, and mercy towards His people, but also of His justice. All actions have consequences, and wicked actions always have painful
The similarities between Temple Judaism and Christianity can be found with the seven laws of Noah and Christianity’s ten commandments, the establishing of the synagogue as central to congregation in comparison to the churches used for mass by Christians, and also that the Christian movement was born during the time of Temple Judaism.
Terence Fretheim has spent a great deal of his life learning more about his Christian faith and the Old Testament; he has attended schools from all over the country and even in England. He now is a professor at Luther College teaching about the Old Testament. This personal reflection by Fretheim emphasizes on the divine speech and activity in chapter three of Exodus as a way of revealing aspects of God’s character.
The Bible is Gods story. It is an account of His search for us. The story begins in Genesis at creation. Following creation we see the fall of Adam and Eve, which results in sin entering the world. Man was originally made to be fully dependant upon God however, now man comes under His judgement and have to live with the consequences of our rebellion. We lost understanding of God and began to create our own Gods, falling into idolatry and worshiping things of this world. However, God has always remained faithful and loving, despite our human brokenness. This paper will explore Ancient Israel’s journey throughout the Old Testament, exploring the themes of Gods faithfulness and power.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affiliation with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24-27)
Abraham showed great faith in God throughout his life. Even when Abraham did his own thing instead of what God wanted, God used it for good. So let`s take a look at some of the details.
A patriarch is another word for the leader of a family. In the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis, the patriarchs of Jesus’s family tree are incredibly similar to one another and to Jesus Himself. Two such patriarchs are Abraham and Joseph. These two patriarchs fall into the pattern. Both of them are very similar to one another, and to Jesus.
In Genesis, God is often depicted in human form. This is, of course, long before the birth of Jesus and the beginning of the New Testament. There is evidence that he is physically there, rather than a mere illusion, in the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Gen32.24-30). Jacob is not subdued easily. He is able to remain in the fight until near daybreak when the stranger strikes his hip and dislocates it. This shows not God as some supreme being in the distance. Rather He is physically present, appearing in the same manner as every other human. He can be seen, touched, and battled with. It demystifies God, but it also makes these interactions very personal for those involved. This changes when we see Moses being called in Exodus. This shift in appearance highlights the duel nature of God as being both a protector and a punisher.
The angle of the Lord appears to Moses in a flaming bush. Moses sees the bush is burning however is not consumed (Exodus 3:2). “3 And Moses said, ‘I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned’, Moses was confused as to why the bush was on fire, yet undestroyed (Exodus 3:4). God calls Moses, Moses responds to God (Exodus 3:5). Then in verse 5 God tells Moses, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground”(Exodus 3:5). In verse 6 God introduces himself by saying, ‘“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And [in response] Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God”(Exodus