Study Guide Essay

Throughout the course of the semester, we have constantly talked about and expressed the idea of reading the Bible in a historical context. Picking out the pieces that coincide with evidence that has been found with archeological findings, the accuracy of dates, and important people. The critical study of the Bible is to look at the book as a piece of historical text. The use of our “historical lens” allows us to pick out to various pieces that appear to be factual. Using this analysis of looking at the Bible through our “historical glasses”, we can understand the true meaning of the Bible in its original historical setting.

4. Compare Exodus 14 and 15. How do the prose and poetic accounts of the event at the Re(e)d Sea differ?

In lesson four, we learned that the journey from Egypt to the promise land foreshadows our spiritual journey. Explain how the journey of the Israelites foreshadows our spiritual journey.

Thirdly, the Bible told some truths directly while the Greek Myths told implicitly. For example, in the Bible, after people were created out. “As the people of the earth grew to be many

Tullock, J. H., & McEntire, M. H., (2006). The Old Testament Story (9th Ed.). p.

Carr & Conway present theories of how aspects of other more developed cultures entered into the biblical stories as shared elements that have been crafted to resemble Israelite beliefs and view point. In our class discussions we were able to find these same similarities, particularly

The primary issue with Near Eastern myths, and myths in general, is that myths base themselves on the interrelationships among the gods, and the OT religions avoid it entirely. The OT shows G-d’s interactions as a unique occurrence, non-repeatable and not recycled. The Bible expects readers to see the events as they are actually recorded – not as symbolic or needing interpretation, but as literal and factual.

The two key figures in Hebrew culture, God and Moses, evolve throughout the bible, but their evolution is best seen in Exodus. The development of character is revealed when individuals are placed in stressful situations, certainly in the bible both God and Moses are presented with challenging situations which cause them to undergo change. However, because the book we are reading is the bible, every action performed by a character and every change undergone is representative of the ideal choice from the standpoint of the Hebrew culture. This means that every action taken by God and Moses is written to teach a lesson to the reader.

2. Stories that have to do with Israelite kinship culture show us examples of God's way of doing things and how they are not the cultural norms of His

Tullock, J. H., & McEntire, M. H., (2012). The Old Testament Story (9th Ed.). p.

It can be concluded, based on the writing of Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions (2014), that the most significant example of Exodus was the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. The Israelites were under the control of the Pharaohs and lived a life of slavery. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites to the promise land. It is said that they were guided by God as he sent clouds in the day and fire by night in order to lead them out of slavery. They were lead to the red sea where Moses parted the sea allowing the Israelites to cross to freedom and closing on the Egyptian soldiers that followed.

Discuss how the Old Testament is a book of historical events that we can look at to see why certain things happened.

Tullock, J., & McEntire, M., (2012). The Old Testament story (9th Ed.). Pearson Learning Solutions.

The author dives into chapter six by addressing the prophetic themes, covenant, judgment and redemption. According to the author all the prophets have a special relationship between God and Israel. They all share a common theme as well. Themes include announcement of judgment on Israel, punishment, announcement of restoration after a rebellion and comparisons of Israel. The author also points out what Israel is the main focus throughout the old testament. God choose Israel and entered into a covenant so his expectations are high compared to other nations living at that time. Which is why intense images being express the relationship between God and Israel. Such images include parent-child, husband-wife, church-bride, shepherd-flock, owner- vineyard and potter-clay. When Israel rebels against God Israel is compared to a prostitute or camel. However, even when Israel is beyond redemption, the chosen prophets beg for repentance from the nation of Israel. More common is the image of people turning away from God even when presented salvation.

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, doublets (identical duplicative stories in the same text) are a common occurrence. These parallels create confusion for the readers who may wonder why these stories are reiterated and, often times, why are they placed so close together. Is it merely happenstance or is it done purposefully? This is a main point of interest that arises from the story of Numbers 36, which appears to mirror the content of the earlier Chapter 27. The question raised concerning this final chapter is why this text is placed here and not where the original story is presented in Chapter 27; the placement of Numbers 36 at the end of the book does not fit contextually considering its subject matter.