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Exodus 31-34
Did anyone else get a sense of deja vu while reading this? Other then God's obsession with keeping the Sabbath holy and unleavened bread.
Did anyone else get a sense of the story is repeating itself? Besides God's insistence with keeping the Sabbath holy and eating bread that is unleavened.
Aaron and the Israelites don't seem to be very faithful to God after all he's done for them.
God is justifiably angry and Moses has to talk him out of another mass murder (Moses later ends up doing it for him).
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm on Gods side on this one. If I were him I'd wipe out the Israelites and started over with another tribe.
I guess God is just a bigger man then I am.
I was a little surprised when Moses had his followers execute three thousand Israelites. I mean, isn't that against one of the commandments? And doesn't God have a rule about killing Israelites?
Oh, and we get the 10 commandments on stone tablets at last. Twice.
My question is;
"Are we reading two versions of the story here? Exodus 34 seems to be the same event as Exodus 31-33 but without the tribes betrayal with the false idol. I hate to bring it up again but it smacks of multiple authors and story lines.
You could the entire sub-plot with Aaron, the Golden Calf and God's wrath and go straight to 34:10 and not miss a beat.
I guess they had re-runs even then. I do not understand God's wrath since the people had not received the commandments at the time of the celebration. And if Aaron was selected to be the priest, why didn't he get a handbook?
ReplyDeleteWith all of the mention of gold, jewels, fine cloth, dyed badger skins, and lots of sawn acacia wood, I just don't get the sense of a people wandering in the desert.
I had to ask someone what 'stiff-necked' meant. Apparently it's synonymous with 'stubborn'. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteI've read ahead a little and the repetition gets even more pronounced through the end of Exodus. On a side note - God seems to be really, REALLY obsessed with nice draperies. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
On the bright side, almost 2 books down!
"Are we reading two versions of the story here?
ReplyDeleteNo. The Bible contains no contradictions. God meant it to seem that way.
Okay 31 is the continuation of P's story.
At 31:7 they mention "the Tent of Meeting and Ark of the Testimony". Then we get the "two tablets of the testimony to Moses". (Their contents isn't described.) The Ark, housed in the Temple, was said to contain the tablets. J calls it the Ark of the Covenant, just as he says the tablets recorded a covenant. P talks of testimony, hence the less iconic phrase Ark of the Testimony.
A LOT can be said about E's famous golden calf story, 32-33.
First of all: Moses smashes the tablets. The tablets that are supposedly inside the Ark in Jerusalem! The northern E writer is saying that Judah's sacred relic is fake. Oh snap.
Now, Golden Calves. What are these? As famous as this story is, I'm amazed how obscured the true meaning is. The golden calves are directly referencing an action by Jeroboam, the first king of Israel in the divided monarchy:
Turn, class, to 1st Kings 12:25
Jeroboam (the northern king) is all worried that everyone will go to Jerusalem (in the south, Judah) to worship and they'll like Judah so much they'll turn against him.
12:28 After giving thought to the matter he made two calves of gold and said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to go to Jerusalem; here are your gods, Israel, that brought you up from Egypt.' One he set at Bethel and one he set at Dan, and this thing became a sin in Israel.
Sound familiar? THIS is the context for the golden calves story. The northern kingdom had a rival place of worship. E didn't like it.
Now, if you're paying attention, you may ask:
"But... E is the northern source! Writing in the time of the divided monarchy! He should be pro-calves, right?"
Well, apparently he isn't. One theory is that the E strand is from disenfranchised priests, northern Levites whose land was given to the Phonecians. They were pissed at EVERYONE. Hence a story that denigrates both kingdom's main religious sites.
Of course, all this depends on how historically correct Kings is. I'm not too familiar with that can o worms.
Anyway.
34 is mostly J's 10 Commandments, which I've already babbled on about. It will be a long while before we see J again, so say your goodbyes now.
The last part of 34 is the continuation of P- Moses descends with the tablets of the Testimony. I have no idea what's up with the shining.
In the Vulgate (an early Latin translation) they mistranslated "ray of light" as "horn", hence medieval depictions of Moses with horns!
Well I noticed a couple of weird but obvious contradiction. Abbie already answered why a golden calf is so much worse than golden cherubim.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the story talks about Moses meeting with God in a tent, and Moses had also seen him at least once on Mount Sinai at this point. But then when God came down to punish some people, he made Moses hide in a rock to avoid seeing his face.
Did anyone else get a sense of deja vu while reading this?
ReplyDeleteJust a little ... the instructions given in Ex 25-30 appeared to be recapped here. I didn't where it adds to the narrative. Gotta admit, the focus on drapes kinda slipped by me ... good to have a a deity with a sense of style! ;-)
Moses convincing god to back off in Ex 32 stood out - as well as Moses doing the massacring in his stead. It sure filled me full of the spirit. Finally, the use of the phrase "my back parts" by god ... wonder what the original text said? This translation makes it sound like "I can't let you see my face, but I will moon you!""
The commandment of thou shalt not kill is sorta misinterpreted....it could be more accurately seen as thou shalt not murder....so that kinda changes things
ReplyDeleteTrouble logging in - test . . .
ReplyDeleteOkay! This is hdauria (also having OpenID trouble) and I am back after a valiant two-week battle with bronchitis (I'm claiming a tentative victory) and then the long sprint to catch up with the rest of you. You have no idea how hard it was to read all the comments and NOT be able to add to them!
ReplyDeleteI want to say that these chapters of Exodus have always been among my favorite parts of the OT. First, as a girl growing up in the relatively ritual-free baptist church, I was fascinated with the idea of the priests dressed up in their robes and armor and all that blood spilling here, there and everywhere. I also loved the image of that tall mountain, cloaked with thunderclouds and lightning, and Moses disappearing up into the thick of it to talk to God. It's only now that I realize how pagan all that is - especially all that spilling and sprinkling of blood. And the Israelites are commanded not to make "high places" to worship God, but then God himself chooses a high place to meet with Moses.
Continued below - Blogger doesn't seem to like my long post!
It has always amazed me (and still does), that literally right after Aaron gets his big commission from God the people say "make us and idol" and his response is "okay." He doesn't even attempt to argue with them. If I were God I'd be pretty upset, too!
ReplyDeleteI also think these chapters are so very poetic. I love Joshua coming down from the mountain trying to decide by the sound what's up with the populace below. I ADORE the image of all the men of Israel, stripped of their ornaments, standing silently in the doorways of their tents while Moses passes by on his way to the tabernacle to decide their fate. Then falling in prayer when the column of smoke comes down to hide the door.
I also think the conversations between God and Moses are much more poetic here than in previous sections. "and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee." I just love that.
It's also to be noted that this is the first time, I think, that God is real specific about destroying the relics of other religions. It really seems to be finally asserting that he is IT.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that's always resonated with me (I actually have it highlighted in my well-traveled KJV that was given to me when I was 8 or 9 and from which I'm reading) is 32:14 - "And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." Even as a kid I thought this just humanized God in an amazing way. You repent of things that you regret, things that you know you shouldn't have done. I always loved that God could say, okay, that was wrong. I'm sorry.
FINALLY (see what happens when I have to be quiet for too long?) I want to mention how much I've appreciated reading the comments of the Christians here over the past several chapters. I have been able to gain new insight into the Christian perspective and interpretation of two things, in particular, that have always bothered me. So I'm very happy we have a nice mixed group now as I'm learning from all of you!
ReplyDelete"The commandment of thou shalt not kill is sorta misinterpreted....it could be more accurately seen as thou shalt not murder....so that kinda changes things"
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think we've all heard this one before. But since God doesn't actually define murder, it's not particularly useful. It's essentially saying "It's wrong to kill when it's wrong to kill." Or it could be saying that it's wrong to kill when it's illegal, but that's still sort of circular when the law is supposed to be based on the commandment.
@Abbie
ReplyDelete"First of all: Moses smashes the tablets. The tablets that are supposedly inside the Ark in Jerusalem! The northern E writer is saying that Judah's sacred relic is fake. Oh snap.
Now, Golden Calves. What are these? As famous as this story is, I'm amazed how obscured the true meaning is. The golden calves are directly referencing an action by Jeroboam, the first king of Israel in the divided monarchy"
Maybe you should return your annotated Bible for a refund. :-0 It will be several hundred years before Israel captures Jerusalem and puts the ark into the temple there. And another 100 years or so before Jeroboam makes the golden calves. The Israelites and the mixed multitude had just spent 400 years in Egypt with various god including a bull. Not a stretch of the imagination for them to demand a golden calf god.
I agree with Helene, Aaron has gotten away with something here. Apparently a priest isn't held to one belief and just has to deliver the religion the population wants at the moment. I smell nepotism.
ReplyDelete@bananacat1, the definition of murder will be made clear later. It will be clearly delineated from acts of war or capital punishment. :)
ReplyDelete@Euslyss
ReplyDelete"It will be several hundred years before Israel captures Jerusalem and puts the ark into the temple there. And another 100 years or so before Jeroboam makes the golden calves."
This, to me, is further evidence of when these books were actually written, and the bias that the authors attempted to place into their respective (tho parallel) narrative history. In my opinion, it strengthens the documentary hypothesis.
@Barbara
ReplyDelete"I do not understand God's wrath since the people had not received the commandments at the time of the celebration"
You must have skipped over that part where they do get the commandments and covenant. Short review, i hope i don't miss any.
Exodus
19:3-8 Keep my covenant (5) All that the Lord hath spoken we will do (8)
19:17 Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God. 20:1-17 God gives the commandments, Moses takes over and then in 24:7 book of the covenant, and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. Moses goes away for 40 days and the people have an onset of amnesia.
I have the same problem myself. :-D
14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
ReplyDeleteThis is again another time the Lord repents (Genesis 6:6,7). How God does many good things for man, in this case bringing the Hebrews out of the land of Egypt, gives them mighty victory over Pharaoh and his army, talks to them and assures them His blessing if they would obey. Yet they quickly forget all He has done and turn to dumb idols fashioned with their own hands to worship and give praise for bringing them out of Egypt(32:4). God did not view this as a unconcerned spectator, but as one injured and affronted by it. This is one great insult to the God that brought you out from under the yoke of bondage.
Something i want to point out that i thought was interesting. In Genesis 18:23:33 Abraham asks God if He will destroy the righteous with the wicked. Erp said "I notice Abraham bargaining with God to save Sodom." And here we have Moses in 32:9-14 requesting God that He would not destroy the people yet repent of those intentions. As in turn from them and remember your covenant, also one of the attributes of God's character is longsuffering towards us (Exodus 34:6).
David will ask for God not to punish the people in II Samuel 24:17 (this is because of his own sin, tells us something about the rulers we elect. We will get it that later.) Why would God allow this? I feel it shows something of the character of God. He will allow an intermediary between us and Him. For the Christian this comes as Jesus Christ. Someone to plead on our behalf.
I thought it was interesting. :-D
@Abbie
ReplyDelete"First of all: Moses smashes the tablets. The tablets that are supposedly inside the Ark in Jerusalem! The northern E writer is saying that Judah's sacred relic is fake. Oh snap."
How can they be fake? In Exodus 34:1 God tells Moses to hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first. I think you have me all confused with your imaginary documents. :-D Are you saying E says they are fake because they are made again? Or J says they are fake or D... maybe P? They could not have been in the ark because it had not been built yet... had it? I think i am having a case of amnesia... did i read the building of the ark and forget about it? And so soon. :-D
"I have no idea what's up with the shining."
(MHC)
Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid, 30. The truth of it was attested by a multitude of witnesses, who were also conscious of the terror of it. It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it were a token of God's favour or of his displeasure; and, though it seemed most likely to be a good omen, yet, being conscious of guilt, they feared the worst, especially remembering the posture Moses found them in when he came last down from the mount. Holiness will command reverence; but the sense of sin makes men afraid of their friends, and even of that which really is a favour to them.
@Skepticali
ReplyDelete"Moses convincing god to back off in Ex 32 stood out - as well as Moses doing the massacring in his stead."
(Exodus 22:20)
No Moses did not do the massacring. This is the punishment for idol worship. They were used as an example:
(MHC)
Slay every man his brother, that is, "Slay all those that you know to have been active for the making and worshipping of the golden calf, though they were your own nearest relations, or dearest friends." The crime was committed publicly, the Levites saw who of their acquaintance were concerned in it, and therefore needed no other direction than their own knowledge whom to slay. And probably the greatest part of those that were guilty were known, and known to be so, by some or other of the Levites who were employed in the execution. Yet, it should seem, they were to slay those only whom they found abroad in the streets of the camp; for it might be hoped that those who had retired into their tents were ashamed of what they had done, and were upon their knees, repenting. Those are marked for ruin who persist in sin, and are not ashamed of the abominations they have committed, But how durst the Levites encounter so great a body, who probably were much enraged by the burning of their calf? It is easy to account for this; a sense of guilt disheartened the delinquents, and a divine commission animated the executioners.
On whom vengeance is taken: There fell of the people that day about 3000 men, 28. Probably these were but few, in comparison with the many that were guilty; but these were the men that headed the rebellion, and were therefore picked out, to be made examples of, for terror to all others. Those that in the morning were shouting and dancing before night were dying in their own blood; such a sudden change do the judgments of God sometimes make with sinners that are secure and jovial in their sin, as with Belshazzar by the hand-writing upon the wall. This is written for warning to us.
Now if this was to go unpunished then it would only be worse the next time. People that are not corrected for their wrongs do get worse and worse. This is a sign that says this is not going to be tolerated in my presence. We tend to pick and choose what commandments of God we want to follow. From history i see that it's not good to do such.
@Chasia
ReplyDelete"Aaron has gotten away with something here."
Aaron deserved to be cut off for this sin, and would have been if Moses had not interceded particularly for him, as appears he did in Deuteronomy 9:20.
How can they be fake? In Exodus 34:1 God tells Moses to hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first.
ReplyDeleteThe implication of E's story, as it originally stood, is that either the Ark is empty or it has hoax tablets.
It would only take one sentence and a couple words for an editor to resolve the obvious contradiction that resulted because J's story was placed after E's.
It's crucial to remember that none of the writers knew their work would be placed alongside the others. E knew of the J document, but E could never dream that his work would be combined with it. It wasn't written to be compatible!
I guess the JE editor could have placed J's story before E's, but he probably thought the Tablet existed. (Or at least had to cover for the fact that the tablets still exist in J.)
It will be several hundred years before Israel captures Jerusalem and puts the ark into the temple there. And another 100 years or so before Jeroboam makes the golden calves.
lol, the Bible wasn't written concurrently to the events it dictates. Linguistic evidence alone clinches this. The earliest Hebrew in the bible is from the so-called "Judges" era (just a few poems) and it is a much more archaic form of the language than the Hebrew used in most of the Torah.
The Bible makes constant anarchronistic allusions. At the very least, the common "and is still to this day" stories show that the author is writing about the past from a vantage point in the future.
Great to see you back Helene, hope you're feeling better. Great comments.
ReplyDeleteI think the golden calves discussion is a great example of how our notions regarding when and by whom the Bible was written have important implications for the insights we pull out of it.
@Abbie: Great connection with Jeroboam's golden calves. It's been a while since I read Kings, but I've totally missed that in the past. I like how we find the grinding of political axes from Israel's future built into the way the narratives of the patriarchs and exodus are recounted.
Please post a few photocopies of each of the original documents J, E, D, P and make sure that they have a date/time stamp on them.
ReplyDeleteI fell behind but now I'm catching up here. Something that struck me is how different this God of Exodus is from the God of Genesis, and I don't mean just the whole sudden transformation into a war god. At the beginning of Genesis, all of creation happened with just a few words. Even the flood seemed to be a spur of the moment decision. But now, in Exodus, the plagues and God's plans for any unfortunate tribe living on the land He's giving to the Israelites speak of strenuous effort on God's part. He's really got to do work to do all this killing. What happened?
ReplyDeleteAnd the Levites running round, killing "brother, neighbor, and kin" sounds more like something out of The Sopranos than some sort of righteous retribution. Who's the most loyal to the Big Kahuna, loyal enough to kill his own family to prove that loyalty? The Levites, that's who.
@Diomedes Anaxagoras
ReplyDeleteYou missed the Sodom & Gomorrah story (Genesis 18:16-19:24) God has been fighting against sin for a long time. This is still a war that is being fought today.