Essay Exodus 16

Submitted By fionapearle22
Words: 1151
Pages: 5
Open Document
Fiona Giguere
Professor Kroger
Varieties of Christianity
October 8, 2014
Exodus 16 (Manna) The stories in the Bible have many different ways that they could possibly be interpreted, and the messages and lessons of the stories can differ depending on the way that the story is interpreted. Therefore, different groups of people often reinterpret the stories to fit their own beliefs and purpose. Christian beliefs are based off of Judaism, therefore many of the stories that the Christians preach were originally Jewish. While the Christians kept many of the stories, they often altered them or at least reinterpreted their meaning to better suite their new and revised religion. Sometimes a story may be rewritten multiple times, adding in different details and points. For example, in both commentaries on Exodus 16, (Mays 135) and (Karris 97) at least three different narrative sources are mentioned for writing different versions of the story and then being combined into the one we read now. This lead to a more jumbled and confusing story, with different views all intertwining. It is so jumbled, that most of the commentary in (Mays 135), is sorting out who wrote what part and which facts are present in which story and when different details were added or left out and how all of this came together to create the final product. It is because of this that the quail seems randomly thrown in the story and only mentioned once, it may have played a greater role in an earlier version of the story or a later writer thought that it was unrealistic that they could live off of only manna, but for one reason or another it made it into the story. In it’s original, Jewish contest, Exodus 16:1-36 is rather easily interpreted. The story is of the people that Moses released from slavery in Egypt. One month after their release, they are living in the dessert and while they have been granted water to quench their thirst, they are now complaining of their hunger, and some are even wishing that they could have died in Egypt while still under slavery, instead of being freed, because then they would have at least died with a full stomach. Yahweh grants them “manna” which is a sort of honey-like bread substitute that God sends down to them from the sky every night. However, they have rules that they must obey, they can only gather what they need for that day and are not allowed to save any overnight, or else it will go bad and be of no use to them, except for on the sixth day when they are told to collect two days’ worth of manna so that they can save half of it for the seventh day and it will not go bad, because the seventh day is the day of rest and they will not be able to find any manna on the seventh day, nor should they look for it. Moses then commanded Aaron to preserve a jar of manna and place it in front of the Lord. In the original Jewish context, this tale was interpreted to show how God cared for his people and showed his greatness through miracles once again, and that if you honor God and believe in him, what he provides for you will always be enough, (Barton78). It also shows His graciousness because He did not punish the people for complaining and not maintaining their faith in Him through the difficulty. Its last purpose, was to implement the Sabbath or day of rest, which is a strong tradition in Judaism, while this story does not give an explanation as to why we have Sabbath, it shows that it is something that Yahweh wanted his people to follow and how they should do as he wishes, (Karris 97). Christians later added more in depth meanings to the story, while for the most part, keeping the original messages as well. The Christians already hold great significance in bread as the word of God through other stories in the Gospels, therefore they give the manna a greater meaning because of what was stated in Luke, that bread is the word of God. While in the original story, the bread just stood for the sustenance that God gave his people so that
Show More

Related Documents: Essay Exodus 16

Michele Mitchell's Righteous Propagation

reclamation of manhood within the African American community. “African Americans and Americo-Liberians... viewed Africa as a haven where black men could at long last express, flaunt, and flex their manhood” (Mitchell 19). Muhammad discusses that the Liberia Exodus Association argued that leaving the United States would rehabilitate black men’s sexuality, attempting to follow the example of white men maintaining their manhood through the subjugation of other lands and peoples. The move to Africa proved to have…

Words 1786 - Pages 8

Origins of Christianity Essay

Ron Roberts YOU WILL NEED A SCANTRON FORM 882-E, WHICH ARE SOLD IN THE BOOKSTORE. So you will also need a pencil. Layout of the Exam: Multiple Choice – approximately 75% of exam Fill-In the Blank – approximately 10% of exam Very Short Essay – approximately 15% of exam Multiple Choice Items:2 Taken from the readings and lectures. Word bank for Fill-In the Blank: Common Era Covenant- yahwehs choosen people believed that hessed( faithful covenant love) defined the character…

Words 1186 - Pages 5

witchcraft essay

in which women acted as the devil’s agent. One reason that the witch-craze has caused so much scholarly debate amongst Historians is why it was a crime which all groups within society believed in it, making the scale of the persecution vast. This essay will argue that the belief that witches engaged in a diabolical pact resulted in a widespread fear of witchcraft from all groups within society. The Catholic Church, which was at the centre of life during the Early Modern period, defined witchcraft…

Words 2084 - Pages 9

Essay on Liberty University Sample Book Review Chhi 520

strength in Oden’s work are particularly noteworthy. First, supported by his years of studying Patristic texts, he makes a winsome case for Africa’s significant theological legacy. Chapter two is particularly compelling and could serve as an introductory essay to a multi-volume work. On a personal note, though I was initially skeptical of Mark’s historical relationship to the Egyptian church—dismissing it as “Coptic tradition”—Oden’s repeated use of first to eighth-century sources, which place the evangelist…

Words 1254 - Pages 6

Religion In Mesopotamian, Hebrew, And Ancient People

the lives of the ancient people. Their religion decided how they lived their lives and how they treated other people around them. Mesopotamian, Hebrew, and Hindu people all lived in order to please their gods to the best of their abilities. This essay will argue that the people had fairly similar relationships with these gods in that they all had a sense of obligation to obey them. The Mesopotamian people were polytheistic and had different relationships with each god. They saw some of their gods…

Words 2123 - Pages 9

Dodson's Theoretical Analysis

The pursuit on who created the earth after the publication of Charles Darwin book Origin of Species raised numerous questions on who brought the world into existence. Evolutionists believe that the earth created itself and a non existence of a creator and creationism advocates believing in an inclusive creatorship that God is the creator of the universe. The synopsis will give an account of a critique of evolution against creationism. Dodson (1960:3) in his book Evolution Process and Product, he…

Words 2217 - Pages 9

Essay on A Faith Once For All Notes

An Introduction to Theology: Definitions- Connotations- the suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes Prolegomena-prefatory remarks; specifically: a formal essay or critical discussion serving to introduce and interpret an extended work Pragmatism-relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters Pervasive-existing in or spreading through every part of something Expedient-suitable for achieving…

Words 2351 - Pages 10

Recruiting Challenges in the Public Sector Essay

Jennifer Gabbard Management Communications with Technology Tools Recruiting Challenges in the Public Sector December 22, 2008 Final Project: Recruiting Challenges in the Public Sector There are rules, regulations and ordinances that all guide the recruiting process in the public sector; however, in my opinion these challenges just interfere with a governmental agencies ability to hire the best and most qualified new employees. As an example, a couple of the solutions that I think will…

Words 3801 - Pages 16

God Ethic Bible Jehovah Witnesses and Infanticide Essay

God Jehovah is the most benevolent and merciful God amidst all other gods. ‘Not only is Jehovah God love but he is also the embodiment or personification of love.’ “Jehovah [is] a God of moral standards, not as a capricious, erratic person.” it-2 p. 16. Jehovah’ Witnesses can’t help but notice “the extreme contrast between Jehovah’s morality in every respect and the present-day civilization’s immorality in every respect.” 5/15/54 p. 306 par. 7. “Jehovah does not predestine his intelligent creatures;…

Words 7251 - Pages 30

Hist 350 Origins of Christianity Essay

shaddai” it’s pural word used as a singular. This could suggest the trinity and also that they are making the transition from polytheism to monotheism . o There is a female consort – asherah. There is a relationship between YHWH and this god o Exodus show moses and the pharaoh’s snakes eating each other. Shows that at this point they are not completely monotheistic but just loyal to one mighty god. o This Henotheism- one supreme but other gods. It’s a transition.…

Words 9913 - Pages 40