Ex. 1-3 (A New Hope)

Exodus explains that while the Hebrews had immigrated to Egypt out of need, they were initially important to making Egypt great.  But then, Egypt got a new ruler and he turned on the immigrants.  He exploited them, and so they raised up their voice to God.  Sound familiar?

We’ve added “la leche & la miel/milk & honey” to the definition of promised land now.  E.g. Gen. 3.8.  NDT pointed out on a podcast the other day that the only fuel human use that does not require the death of another living thing is milk & honey.  Huh.

Legal question: Pharaoh orders all the Hebrew children thrown into the Nile.  Did Moses’ mother comply?

This passage also continues the flawed leader motif, extending God’s chosen leaders to include straight up murders.  Could Moses have shot someone in Time Square and still be loved? #IOOIYAAR.

Last note: the boundaries of the Promised Land continue to be fluid.  If you compare Gen. 15:18-21 to Ex. 3:8 you will find that the land of the Hivites is newly added to the territory and the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, and Kadmonites is no longer included.  This isn’t a gotcha for literalists or anything.  Maybe the tribes occupying the territory changed.  I’m just noting that it is interesting and wonder if it is a merging of traditions that gives rise to the difference.