Questions on Exodus

Philosophy Forums Religion and Spirituality
1

How come in Exodus 12, God goes on for so long about not eating yeast on passover and making it so explicitly clear that the Jews should not use yeast in making their bread on this day, but then, later in Exodus 12:34, it says: “So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing.” and, in 12:39, it says, “With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.”? (Is this kind of like the 2 different creation myths in the opening of Genesis?)

To me this makes it seem like the Isrealites were intending to defy the word of God, except that, by chance, the Egyptians drove them out before they had the chance tp do so.

Also, why does God make Paroah’s hear more unyeilding and, thus, imposes more suffering on the ruler? Maybe, if God didn’t interfere with Pharoa’s will, the Pharoa would have relented earlier and let the Jews go earlier of his own volition and not have suffered so much.

Also, why does god want the Jews to plunder the Egyptians? This seems excesive. It almost reminds me of Odiseus’s hubris.

Basically so far God is coming off pretty vengeful and unmerciful. Of course he is nice to the Jews, but not to the egyptians.

Oh, and one more question, Which translation of the Bible is the best to use? I have the new international version, and it’s been working fine for me, but i just wanted to know if there is any better or more widely approved ones. (consider the fact that my main interest in the bible consists of better understanding many literary allusions to it. Should i then get the King James version?)

nev

2

Early on in Exodus “God” instructs the Israelites to prepare for ‘The Passover’. The preparation includes searching for year-old male lambs without defect (Exodus 12:5). They are to save them until the 14th day of that month (Exodus 12:6) and slaughter them at twilight (just before dark).

Exodus 12:8 - 9 which reads (NIV Version): “That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire and, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.”

This is the key. “That same night”. He later instructs them that this day is to be commemorated and celebrated for seven days eating bread without yeast (Exodus 12:14 - 15). However, this is not until they commemorate it the next time.

By the time Exodus 12:39 enters the picture the night is over. The Israelites were allowed to eat the bread with yeast but were unable to because they were rushed out.

This is not similar to the two (2) different creation myths in Genesis. I don’t think that it was the intention of the Israelites to defy “God”.

Thelogians have said that “God” had to harden the Pharaoh’s heart so that the Israelites could witness the miracles, especially the last one that showed the Israelites that “God” had the power to overcome the Egyptian god of death (which each one of the plagues was aimed at showing how “God” controlled everything and no other Egyptian god).

“God” by the way, never told the Jews to plunder the Egyptians; in fact, it was Moses that instructed the Israelites to ask for gold and silver. “God” just made them ‘favorable’ towards the Israelites because they were afraid of more plagues. The Israelites then took advantage (which wecan see them do often almost immediately after some miracles).

It is often said that the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible. The NIV is a great translation but in its attempt to ‘update’ the Bible some meanings/allusions/ have been lost; furthermore, it is meant more to add to the understanding of a spiritual reader. In my opinion, the best version to study for literary pleasure is definitely the King James.

It is nice to see that others study the Bible for its literary value too. :smiley:

3

Thank you very much for your wonderful and very illucdating response thrist4metal.

I agree with everything you said about the passover and the yeast. Also I realize that God was willing to, at the expense of the infidel Egyptians, prove his power to the Jews.

However, you say:

In my NIV Bible it says, Exodus 3:21-22, “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and every woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. AND SO YOU WILL PLUNDER THE EGYPTIANS.” (Emphasis added.) This was the quote that originally aroused my concern as to God appearing excessively vengeful, and possibly even avericious, or at least promoting averice in the Jews.(Not to perpeuate any stereotypes on my own people.)

4

You must understand that the in Exodus many of the things that “God” states are either commands or statements of things that will come to pass.

[i]Command: NIV Exodus 3:10 “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Command: NIV Exodus 3:16 “Go assemble the elders of Israel and say to them…”

Phrophesy: NIV Exodus 3:19 “But I know that hte kinf of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.”

Phrophesy: NIV Exodus 3:21 “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed…”

Command: NIV Exodus 3:22 “Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman in her housefor articles of silver, and gold…”

Phrophesy: NIV Exodus 3:22 “…And so you will plunder the Egyptians”

Command: NIV Exodus 4:21 “The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do…”

Phrophesy: NIV Exodus 4:21 “…but I will harder his heart so that he will not let the people go.”[/i]

Basically, “God” is setting the stage and explaining what will occur.

NIV Exodus 4:21 …“But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.”

:slight_smile: Hope that helps!

Also,

The fact is, if you review the characteristics of “God” in Genesis you will often find that he seems less than perfect–he changes his mind about the things he creates (Earth) and wants to destroy it in a deluge. He gives man free will and then gets pissy (maybe even jealous) when they attain ‘knowledge’ to use it (Genesis 3:22).

What about his changing the languages of men? He did this because he was afraid that “…then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:6).

Not to mention the drastic change between the “God” of the Old Testament and the New Testament. :astonished:

The proof that “God” is man-made is in the Scriptures!

Anyway, that’s my rant for the day. :smiley:

5

Thanks again for your great comments. But, though I understand what you’re saying, i still have some qualms.

Doesn’t “Command: NIV Exodus 3:22 “Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman in her housefor articles of silver, and gold…””

lead to, “Phrophesy: NIV Exodus 3:22 “…And so you will plunder the Egyptians””

He’s not just saying “this will happen,” but that, “Because i will do this [3:21] and command you to do this [3:22], you will plunder.” God, essentially WILLS the fact that not only do the Jews leave Egypt, they should also plunder it’s people. Maybe that’s OK, but if it is, then it totaly throws my ostensible knowledge of Judeo-Christian morals out of perspective. The way i see what he says in Exodus (the part we were discussing) is that if you kill someone in self defence, you can also steal that persons wallet. In fact, you shoul (God commanded, or at least willed them to plunder).

As far as the stories are concernned, insofar as they are stories, i like the fact that God is a complicated character: it makes the reading more interesting. But, ultamately isn’t God supposed to be good. (Although, at this point of my life i beleive, similar to Kafka, that we are all oppressed by God.) What sort of example does he set here.

As to the new testamement, I haven;t read it, but i would read it more for moral than spiritual guidance (which i seek in the old testament, am am having trouble finding) [wow, i even sammer when i type. how pathetic]. Sorry, got off topic. But i think Jesus was a very amirable person, in the sense that Socrates was an admerable person, but i don’t think he was the son of God.

And thats my rant :smiley:

Thanks,
nev