WOMEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

OPENING PRAYER

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

• Hebrews: name of Israelites used by foreigners
• Israelites: descendants of Jacob/ Israel until Babylonian exile
• Jews: People of Judah
• Israelis: citizens of modern Israel

OPPRESSION AND SLAVERY IN EGYPT

Sons of Jacob/Israel in Egypt

Exodus 1:6-10
Now Joseph and all his brothers and that whole generation died. But the Israelites were fruitful and prolific. They multiplied and became so very numerous that the land was filled with them.

Then a new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, rose to power in Egypt. He said to his people, “See! The Israelite people have multiplied and become more numerous than we are! Come let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us, and so leave the land.”

BIRTH OF MOSES IN EGYPT

EGYPT AND EXODUS

• The Birth of Moses in Egypt
• The Call of Moses (Burning Bush) in Midian
• Exodus (10 Plagues, Parting of Red Sea)
• Forty Years in the Desert
• The Ten Commandments
• The Death of Moses
• Entry into the Promised Land (Canaan)

THE BURNING BUSH AND THE CALL OF MOSES

HUMILITY AND OBJECTIONS OF MOSES

• Exodus 3:11 ...”Who am I...?”
• Exodus 4:1 ...”suppose they do not believe me or listen to me...”
• Exodus 4:10 “...I have never been eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue...”

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MOSES PARTING OF THE RED SEA

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

CARRIED ON JOURNEY & INTO BATTLE

THE TRANSFIGURATION

THE WOMEN OF MOSES

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SHIPRHAH AND PUAH

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Pharaoh’s Command

“When you act as midwives for the Hebrew women, look on the birth stool: if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she may live.” (Exodus 1:16)

The midwives, however, feared God; they did not do as the King of Egypt had ordered them, but let the boys live. (Exodus 1:17)

So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this, allowing the boys to live?” (Exodus 1:18)

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MOSES’ MOTHER AND SISTER

PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and summon a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter answered her, “Go.” So the young woman went and called the child’s own mother. (Exodus 2:7-8)

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages. So the woman took the child and nursed him. (Exodus 2:10)

QUALITIES OF THE WOMEN

• Self-sacrificing
• Empathetic
• Clever and creative
• Powerful and strong
• Merciful

When the child grew, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son...Exodus 2:10

Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian

ZIPPORAH, WIFE OF MOSES

BETROTHAL AND MARRIAGE OF MOSES AND ZIPPORAH

ANOTHER BETROTHAL STORY

• A Stranger
• A well
• A young woman
• Drawing water
• Sharing a meal
• Marriage

Zipporah and Moses:
Live in Midian
Priestly lines:Moses, son of Levi and Zipporah, daughter of priest of Midian

CALL OF MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH

ZIPPORAH, SAVIOR OF MOSES

MOSES RETURN TO EGYPT

REFLECTIONS FOR OUR TIMES

• Qualities of Leadership
• Resistance to Oppression
• Fear of a God/Trust in God
• Adoption
• Role of Foreigners

ROLE OF MIRIAM IN EXODUS

MIRIAM AS LEADER AND PROPHET

Crossing the Red Sea
When Pharaoh’s horses and chariots entered the sea, the Lord made the waters of the sea flow back upon them, though the Israelites walked on dry land through the midst of the sea...

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing; and she responded to them...

...Sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
Exodus 15:19-21

MIRIAM AS PROPHET

• A Prophet is a messenger of God
• Ministry of Imagination: leading people to understanding & better future.
• Interprets the Exodus experience as God’s gift of new life.
• This gift reveals God’s power used in their behalf.
• Describes new future in land of promise.

SONG OF MOSES & MIRIAM (EXODUS 15)

• Occurs at crossing of Red Sea
• One of the oldest texts in the Bible
• Cultic celebration of victory
• Precedent for Holy War tradition: victory is due to God’s gift, not human power.
• Battle is seen as liturgical celebration, concludes with victory song
• God’s victory over slavery & death

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CHALLENGE TO MOSES LEADERSHIP

• Concern about Moses foreign wife
• Prophetic Authority is real issue
• God’s answer is clear
• Moses is the primary witness, God speaks to him ”face to face”
• God speaks to Aaron and Miriam through dreams and visions
• Challenge to leadership punished

Jealousy and Pride

They complained, “Is it through Moses alone that the Lord has spoken? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard this. Now the man Moses was very humble, more than anyone else on earth.
(Numbers 12:2-3)

The Lord said: Now listen to my words: If there are prophets among you, in visions I reveal myself to them, in dreams I speak to them; Not so with my servant Moses! Throughout my house he is worthy of trust: face to face I speak to him, plainly and not in riddles. The likeness of the Lord he beholds.
(Numbers 12:6-8)

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Now the cloud withdrew from the tent and there was Miriam, stricken with a scaly infection, white as snow! Numbers 12:10

HUMILITY

• Proverb 18:12 Before disaster the heart is haughty, but before honor is humility.
• James 4:10 Humble yourself before the Lord and he will exalt you.

Punishment, Prayer and Forgiveness Balanced with Justice and Mercy.

Miriam with leprosy. Silence.
Aaron pleads for forgiveness.
Moses cries (prays) to God.
(Numbers 12:10-16)

WHY WAS ONLY MIRIAM PUNISHED?

• Miriam the ringleader?
• Aaron’s importance as high priest.
• Delayed punishment of Aaron?
• Maybe difference between asking forgiveness and silence.

DEATH OF MIRIAM IN WILDERNESS OF ZIN

• Important sanctuary in desert
• Significant events at sacred place: spies report on the land, people murmur and get 40 years in desert, final journey into land begins
• Never enters promised land

REFLECTIONS ON MIRIAM

• Sister, Prophet, Leader
• Liturgical Joy with Music and Dance
• Challenge to Leadership
• Strive for Humility
• Associated with Water
• Intercessory Prayer

Lasting Memory of Miriam
(Micah 6:3-4)
O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you;
And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

WHO IS MIRIAM?

• One of three great heroes in the desert.
• Cultic leader and prophet celebrating divine victory at the sea and mediating God’s Word to the people
• Respected by the people
• Buried at Kadesh, significant site in desert sojourn
• Name associated with water

RAHAB THE HARLOT OF JERICHO

BOOK OF JOSHUA

• Written during Babylonian exile (587 BC)
• Story of Israelites entrance into the Promised Land (1240 BC)
• Reminders of: Presence of God, Land is a Gift from God, Obedience to the Torah (Law), Joshua is the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses

⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️JERICHO

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ISRAELITE SPIES

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt...We heard and our hearts melted within us; everyone is utterly dispirited because of you, since the Lord, your God, is God in heaven above and on earth below. (Joshua 2:10-11)

Now then, swear to me by the Lord that, since I am showing kindness to you, you will in turn show kindness to my family. (Joshua 2:12)

BATTLE OF JERICHO

BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6)

• Elaborate procession around Jericho for seven days with the Ark of the Covenant and blowing horns.
• The city walls collapse on the seventh day with shouting.
• More like a liturgical ceremony than a military venture.

Rahab and her family saved

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REFLECTIONS ON RAHAB

• God uses the least likely in his plan. Extraordinary from the ordinary.
• God’ grace knows no boundaries
• We do not need to be perfect to be in relationship with God.
• Rahab puts her faith in God.
• Works are important outgrowth of faith

CLOSING PRAYER

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