Six Themes in Exodus Everyone Should Know

By V. Steven Parrish

TheSix Themes Everyone Should Knowseries introduces biblical books and their main themes. Each volume consists of six chapters that present major biblical themes; each chapter contains an introduction and three major sections:

• An explanation of the theme


• The significance of the biblical theme for the life of faith


• An exploration of implications this biblical theme offers the church for its ministry

The story of the Exodus has emboldened oppressed people for centuries. In it, God empowers human striving for freedom. Steven Parrish introduces six themes that reveal the character of God. God listened to the captives suffering and responded. Through the wilderness, God sustained the people with food, water, and law. God promised to be present to the people. And God is merciful and gracious, as demonstrated in the golden calf episode. This volume includes material for participants and guides for leading all six sessions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geneva Press
• Release date: Aug 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781611649536

V. Steven Parrish

Steve Parrish is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Memphis Theological Seminary. His primary research interests have been creation theology in the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Psalms. In addition to his book, A Story of the Psalms: Conversation, Canon, and Congregation, he has published many articles and essays during his career. Steve is an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Minister and has served as pastored several churches. He enjoys walking, gardening, grandchildren, and, as the occasions present themselves playing guitar and song writing.

Book preview

Six Themes

Everyone Should Know

Exodus

V. Steven Parrish

Geneva

Press

© 2019 Geneva Press

First edition

Published by Geneva Press

Louisville, Kentucky

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

All rights reserved. Except where permission to photocopy is expressly granted on the material, no part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Geneva Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. In some instances, adaptations have been made to a Scripture or a confession to make the language inclusive.

Excerpts from the Book of Order and Book of Confessions have been used throughout this resource. Both are reprinted with permission of the Office of the General Assembly.

Cover designer: Rebecca Kueber

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Parrish, V. Steven, 1953- author.

Title: Six themes in Exodus everyone should know / V. Steven Parrish.

Description: First edition. | Louisville, Kentucky : Geneva Press, 2019. |

Series: Six themes everyone should know series

Identifiers: LCCN 2019001549 (print) | LCCN 2019016979 (ebook) | ISBN

9781611649536 (ebk.) | ISBN 9781571532435 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Exodus—Theology.

Classification: LCC BS1245.52 (ebook) | LCC BS1245.52 .P37 2019 (print) |

DDC 222/.1206—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019001549

Most Geneva Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, and special-interest groups. For more information, please e-mail [e-mail].

Contents

Listing of Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

Introduction to the Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

Introduction to Exodus

Biblical Backgrounds to Exodus

1. God Listens

2. God Responds

3. God Engages Human Agents

4. God Sustains

5. God Is Present

6. God Is Merciful and Gracious

Group Gatherings, by Eva Stimson

Group Gathering 1

Group Gathering 2

Group Gathering 3

Group Gathering 4

Group Gathering 5

Group Gathering 6

Glossary

Want to Know More?

Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

The Bible, by Barry Ensign-George

Genesis, by W. Eugene March

Matthew, by James E. Davison

Luke, by John T. Carroll

1 and 2 Timothy, by Thomas G. Long

Jeremiah, by W. Eugene March

Exodus, by V. Steven Parrish

Introduction to the

Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

The Six Themes Everyone Should Know series focuses on the study of Scripture. Bible study is vital to the lives of churches. Churches need ways of studying Scripture that can fit a variety of contexts and group needs. Six Themes Everyone Should Know studies offer a central feature of church adult educational programs. Their flexibility and accessibility make it possible to have short-term studies that introduce biblical books and their main themes.

Six Themes Everyone Should Know consists of six chapters that introduce major biblical themes. At the core of each chapter is an introduction and three major sections. These sections relate to key dimensions of Bible study. These sections ask:

• What does this biblical theme mean?

• What is the meaning of this biblical theme for the life of faith?

• What does this biblical theme mean for the church at this point in history for action?

This format presents a compact and accessible way for people in various educational settings to gain knowledge about major themes in the biblical books; to experience the impact of what Scripture means for Christian devotion to God; and to consider ways Scripture can lead to new directions for the church in action.

Introduction to Exodus

Exodus is one of the books of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. The opening verses describe a continuation of creational and covenantal themes in Genesis. Long years after their arrival in Egypt and the death of Joseph, the Israelites have grown exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7), just as God had promised (Genesis 1:28; 35:1).

The tone turns ominous when the story introduces a new king [who] arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). Pharaoh perceives a threat to his state economy, so he enslaves the Israelites. Thus, an oppressive power, bolstered by the gods of Egypt, threatens the promises God made to the ancestors and the whole of creation. And so the dramatic conflict is set. What follows is a tale that has emboldened oppressed people for centuries, a story in which God empowers human striving for freedom.

In this insightful study, Steven Parrish introduces us to six themes that focus on revealing the character of God. God listens to the captives’ suffering and responds with a name (YHWH) and several emissaries. From the Passover meal through the wilderness, God sustains the people with food, water, and law. God promises to be present to the people in the gifts of the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. Finally, God is merciful and gracious, as demonstrated in the golden calf episode.

May this study fill your heart with confidence in the promises and purposes of the God of the Exodus.

Biblical Backgrounds to Exodus

Author and Date

"My own point of view is that Exodus is a patchwork quilt of traditions from various periods in Israel’s life. Yet it is also a finished product. In its earliest form, it was probably a relatively brief narrative with the basic thread of the story, dating before the monarchy. . .