EXODUS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What are the core themes at the heart of Exodus? Imagine that you were an ancient Israelite reading Exodus. What lessons and understandings of the world and of God would you have taken from this book?
Describe the God of Exodus. Bring in specific examples and textual passages as you assess his character and actions. How would you begin to analyze the nature of his relationship with humans? How would you compare and contrast Yahweh as portrayed in Exodus with the Yahweh of Genesis? Is the Yahweh of Exodus a god of justice?
What is the story of Moses? How would you begin to assess his character and actions? What is most interesting about his early life and his time in Midian, and how does this fit into the narrative? Compare and contrast Moses with Pharaoh. Compare and contrast Moses with Abraham.
Describe the relationship with Moses and Yahweh. How does this develop throughout the course of Exodus? What is the nature of the covenant between Yahweh and Moses? How would you both connect this with and compare it to the covenants with Abraham and Noah?
The two central events of Exodus are the exodus itself and the revelation at Mount Sinai. Connect, compare, and analyze these two episodes.
How are the Israelites portrayed in Exodus? Describe their relationships with both Yahweh and Moses in Egypt and in the Wilderness. How would you compare and contrast Yahweh's relationship with the Israelites and his relationship with the Egyptians and Pharaoh?
Use the Ten Commandments themselves and the stories associated with Moses's receiving of them as an entry point into exploring the key themes of Exodus.
In what ways is the theme of slavery woven into Exodus? Cite specific passages and examples in your analysis.
What most surprised you and most puzzled you in reading Exodus? Explain and use as a way of exploring the book.
Compare and contrast Exodus with Genesis. How do the two books fit together? What differences or tensions do you notice?
Key Terms And Characters
|
Major Characters |
Minor Characters |
Key Terms |
Other Terms |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moses |
Miriam |
Burning Bush |
Hardening Of Pharaoh's Heart |
|
Yahweh |
Jethro |
Ten Plagues | Passover |
|
Pharaoh |
Amalek |
The Exodus |
Pillar Of Fire |
| Aaron |
Joshua |
Parting Of The Red Sea |
Manna |
| Pharaoh's Daughter |
The Wilderness |
Sabbath | |
|
Mount Sinai |
Smashing Of The Tablets | ||
| Ten Commandments | Ark Of The Covenant | ||
|
Covenant |
Tabernacle | ||
|
Golden Calf |
Some Extra Resources
"
Exodus, Part 1," The Bible Project, 2014: The first half of a brief and clear 10-minute summary of Exodus."
Exodus, Part 2," The Bible Project, 2015: The second half of a brief and clear 10-minute summary of Exodus."
Introduction To The Book Of Exodus," Thought Company: A very brief overview of the book."Book Of Exodus, Episode 1," Ideas, CBC, April 20, 2011 (54 mins.): Part 1 of an excellent audio documentary that explores the meanings that different groups of people have drawn from Exodus over the centuries.
"Book Of Exodus, Episode 2," Ideas, CBC, April 20, 2011 (54 mins.): Part 2 of an excellent audio documentary that explores the meanings that different groups of people have drawn from Exodus over the centuries.
"Exodus, Cargo Of Hidden Stories," On Being, April 14, 2011: Torah and rabbinic literature scholar Avivah Zornberg offers a deep reading of Exodus in this fascinating interview.