One moment that depicts God’s relationship with Israel is when he allows them a king. After much pleading and a warning from God, the Israelites convince God to allow them a king. I think this tells us a couple things about both God and human nature. This glimpse into the Israelites history shows us that God is both merciful and allows for the free will of humans. Although he knew a king would not be best for the Israelites, he still granted them one because they were so convinced that they wanted one. It also shows that human nature is stubborn. Stubbornness is a common theme we see throughout the story of God’s people as they continually demand and lament different things, but it is very evident here. They were so certain a king would be beneficial (because the other nations had one) that they refused to listen to God and the plan he had for them. 

Another instance where we see God interceding on the behalf of Israel is when they are faced by the Philistines and Goliath. Instead of abandoning his people, God sends David to fight the formidable Goliath. By doing this we see that God will not leave his people and that, even when his people don’t always listen to him, he is there to protect and guide. 

After reading over these laws I believe that for the most part these laws (with exceptions like the 10 commandments) are not consistent moral ideas. In order to examine this assertion more closely, I want to discuss the first law discussed in Exodus 21: the law concerning slaves and the first law of Exodus 22: dealing with thieves.

This law lays out clearly how one is supposed to deal with owning slaves. It states that you are to own a slave for a specific amount of time and then free them and their family. This clearly is not a consistent moral idea since it allows for slavery. Instead, this law is meant more to cause obedience and submission. By having this law, I feel that the Israelites are commanded to treat their slaves better (as opposed to getting rid of the institution) and give them respect. This seems to be a sort of compromise (one that clearly wouldn’t happen if these were a set of moral standards) that allows for the Israelites to continue their practice, but to do it in a more organized, fair way. 

This law states that one’s punishment depends on the time it was committed. Since theft is not morally just, the time of day shouldn’t affect the punishment—thus furthering the idea that this is not a consistent moral code. By saying that a thief’s blood cannot be avenged if the crime is committed at night makes the law very specific and rather contradictory. Because of this the law only seems to be meant to cause the Israelites to be obedient to God.

I found this story of Moses very interesting and it gives us some insight into the inner feelings of Moses. At first we see Moses as afraid to take on the role but then he becomes a fearless leader through which God was working.  

When God first appears to Moses through the burning bush and tells him of his mission his first reaction is to make an excuse. He says to God that the people won’t believe he came from God, that they won’t listen to him, and that he won’t be able to communicate it to them. This shows that Moses was afraid and doubtful of the mission laid out before him. It is in this major moment in the story of Exodus that we see God call a man who was afraid to follow him.

But as the story continues we see that Moses, through the works of God, becomes a powerful voice for the Israelites and, after the ten plagues, leads them to freedom. It is in this journey out of Egypt that we see the full scope of Moses’ faith and trust in God. In this journey he does what God asks, works miracles, and eventually brings God’s people out of slavery.

I think Moses is portrayed this way because it shows great extent of the power of God. Because God chose a man that felt like he could not and did not want to lead the Israelites to freedom, we see that through God’s grace anything is possible. And through this we get a deeper sense that we as people of faith need to lean on God’s power.

Part 1:

This first part of the intro to the Pentateuch gives us a big picture look and introduction to the first five books of the Bible. We see that Genesis falls into two unequal parts (Primordial history and patriarchal history) and then the next three books (Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers) deal with the life of Moses and then they close out with Deuteronomy which is a code of civil and religious laws.

Part 2:

This second part deals with how and who wrote the Pentateuch. It notes that it was originally believed to be written solely by Moses but that this isn’t true. Instead, we see it coming from different times and authors. This part also deals with the different traditions that we see coming out of these books, which also hint at different authors of the books.

Part 3:

This portion deals with the Bible in its relation to world history. It shows how the whole Bible is not to be taken word for word as it says, “it would be unreasonable to expect the minute precision of a modern historian.” But it also shows how we can compare the Bible and history to more accurately place it in a timeline. Thus, this part gives a detailed response to the problem of the Bible and history.

Part 4:

This part introduces the idea of the Pentateuch as a series of laws. We see that these laws are holy laws given by God and from these we see different cods develop. Among these we see the Deuteronomic Code, the Law of Holiness, and the Code of the Covenant.

Part 5: 

This last part gives witness to the religious significance of the Pentateuch. It shows that it traces the history of God’s relationship with the world and becomes the basis for the Law of Judaism. We see the numerous promises and covenants and as this part says, “The Promise, the Choice, the Covenant, the Law—these are the golden threads, the warp and the woof of the Pentateuch.” It is because of the Pentateuch that we get the foundations for the Bible, the laws given through God, and ultimately the reason for religion, belief, and faith. 

The main difference that I noticed between Genesis 1’s account and Genesis 2-4’s account of creation and the fall is that the first book focuses more on the goodness of God’s creation while the 2-4 seems to put a bigger emphasis on the problems that ensued. 

During Genesis 1 we hear this line regarding creation multiple times: “God saw that it was good.” This hints at God’s creation being completely good and void of evil because what God had created was good. And, since creation is viewed in this light, there is no hint at evil being able to take place. But, in contrast, in Genesis 2-4 we see quite a different story. We see man betray God, choose evil, and get banished from the garden, thus allowing evil into the world. By allowing this evil to come into being, we get a completely different perspective of the world in these two different accounts. 

Another difference between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2-4 is the relation between God and man. In Genesis 1 we see the creation of the world, everything in it, and ultimately the creation of human beings. But what we do not see, is interaction between God and man. It is in Genesis 2-4 that we get this more personal account of the interaction between the divine and man. 

Newbign seems to put an emphasis on three (among others) major aspects of the Bible. That is, the fall, the story of Exodus and Moses, and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The first key moment was the fall of Adam and Eve. I think that Newbign chose to highlight this portion of the Bible because it is in the light of this story that the rest of the Bible takes place. Without the fall there would be no need for the exodus or the death and resurrection of Christ.  

The second key moment I noticed was the story of Moses and his people’s journey. Through their escape of Egypt, journey, and eventual arrival at the Promised Land, Newbign is able to emphasize the spiritual journey God’s chosen people went through and to see God’s continual mercy towards them. 

The third key moment that I think newbign chose as one of the most important aspects of the Bible is the birth, death, and resurrection. By talking about this we are able to see the culmination of God’s mercy and his unceasing love for His people. 

The final key moment that he spoke on was revelation. This is emphasized because it shows his readers that there is something else that is far greater after the close of this world. And, in highlighting this, he is successfully able to bring to conclusion the story of creation, the fall, exile, salvation, and ultimately the end. 

This is not my first time reading the Catechism. Although I have not read the entire thing, I am familiar with it and have read portions of it. 

One of the terms and ideas that is spoken about in this portion of the Catechism that I found interesting was Revelation, or God’s reason for revealing Himself to man. In CCC #52 it says, “By revealing himself God wishes to make them capable of responding to him, and of knowing him, and of loving him far beyond their own natural capacity.” I found this excerpt persuasive as it answers a couple of questions. First, it shows God’s infinite love for mankind and all He created and second, it demonstrates man’s reliance on and need for God. Through the revelation of God to man we see that there are constantly instances of God’s love and, in a sense, makes revelation a story of God’s love. But the relationship between God and man is not one way. CCC #27 says: “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God.” This gives reason behind why man pursues God and why we rely on a Divine Being. 

In combining these two points it becomes clear that there is a constant relationship between God and man. We were created to desire, love, and know God and it is through God’s grace and love through His revelation that we are able to start to come to this knowledge. 

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

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The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

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