Why Was the Golden Calf So Bad?
The story of the Golden Calf is an odd one, in large part because it’s not clear it ever belonged in Torah at all. It’s really the story of a…
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Browsing Category: Exodus
Goldwork for the Golden Calf
Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such great sin upon them?” Aaron said, “Let not my lord be enraged. You know…
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Waiting for Moses
After the Revelation and the sacrifices for the reading of the Covenant, Moses heads up Mount Sinai. For some commentators, he says he will be there for 40 days, for…
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The Sacrifices Between Revelation and Ascension
So do you ever read the Bible and think to yourself, how much blood did Moses throw anyway? No? Maybe it’s just me. Book research can take you along a…
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When Moses Smashed the Tablets
Literally. When? On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai. Exodus 19:1…
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Creating Courts
Once the Hebrews arrive in Mount Sinai and set up the first of their long-term camps (after a month and a half of near-constant travel), they realize their old ways…
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From Sin to Sinai
What is the timing of the Hebrews’ journey within the Wilderness of Sin and then to Mount Sinai? While Torah gives us this information, there are some contradictions and places…
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The Timing of the Tablets
What is the timing of Moses’ ascents to the top of the mountain and his bringing of the two sets of the tablets of the pact aka the Ten Commandments?…
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The Evening Quail
Before there was manna in the Wilderness of Sin, there was quail. Manna came the morning after they ran out of food. And every morning thereafter for 40 years. But…
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Starving in Sin
The Hebrews leave their lives of slavery, flee Pharaoh’s soldiers, then cross the Red Sea into freedom. After extended stops in Marah and Elim, they head towards the mountains. Upon…
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The Four Elements of the Exodus
Breaking up the world into elements is not a new concept, nor is it limited to Western thought. While Ancient Greece often gets the credit for the concept of four…
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Reflecting in Elim
Our travelers walk from the eastern shore of the Red Sea three days into the desert only to find bitter water at Marah. After Moses makes the water drinkable, they…
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The Stations of the Exodus
As I sat down to write about my characters’ time in Elim, I realized I needed to decide how long they were staying. Torah doesn’t say. We know they probably…
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The Teachings of Marah
The once bitter, now sweet, waters of Marah aren’t just a place for the Hebrews to refresh their water barrels after finally freeing themselves from the terror of slavery. They’re…
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From the Red Sea to Marah
Once our travelers cross the Red Sea and find themselves on the Arabian Peninsula, they watch the Egyptian soldiers drown, sing a song of praise to God, and get the…
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Crossing the Red Sea
Our Exodus travelers are at Pi-Hahiroth, at the western shores of the Red Sea. They look out to the east, at the expanse of water they must somehow cross. Yadda…
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Song of the Sea
The Children of Israel have all safely crossed the Red Sea. The Egyptian army is close behind. Before any of the soldiers can reach the shore, the sea closes and…
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The Morning Watch
Instead of using modern hours and minutes, the Ancient day was broken up into descriptive chunks of time. The nighttime was made up of several nightly watches. For more on…
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The View from the Beach
The Exodus travelers enter the Sinai Peninsula at its northwestern corner, make their way along the wide flat road to its southern tip, then turn to go north, along the…
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Tribal Banners
Each under the banners (or flags or standards) of his father’s house. What does that mean? When I think of banners used when marching, I think of soldiers marching off…
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