Name
Institution
At the beginning of Genesis 4, we read a story of Cain who murdered his brother Abel. Abel was worth keeping sheep while Cain was a tiller of the ground. In the process of time, Cain brought an offering of his fruits and Abel brought the first born of his fat flock. The lord respected Abel offering in that he chose what was desirable in God’s sight. This made Cain to be very angry; to the extent, he raised up against Abel his brother and killed him (Walton & Hill, 2010). When the Lord asked him where the brother was, he said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This question is significant on the theme of movement from relationship, which are purely natural to relationships that are truly moral.
By asking this question to God, Cain acknowledges the higher moral authority to which every man must answer his deeds. This implies that, God intends every human being to have a purely natural relationship towards others. It clearly describes a personal responsibility we owe to each other that has been placed upon us by our Maker. There is a duty of responding to others stemming while not from our sameness to others but from our differences. Therefore, Cain not acting as his brother’s keeper is in rebellion against God. This offers the reader a clear meditation on relationship ethics.
This is also a fundamental theme in Genesis 3 on man’s wickedness on earth. When God asked Eve, “What is it you have done” (vs. 13), She replied,” the serpent” When God asked Adam, he said Eve have him the tree and ate it. This summarizes how human beings fail to take responsibility for their actions. This implies that, every human being has the power of making choices, which truly assist in leaving meaningful lives and affecting others. For instance, the choice made by Eve, influences Adam to do the same. Therefore, it entails that Eve is not acting like her husband keeper. The essence of pure relationship is required for all human beings in addition; the love of God is viewed as natural.
Joseph saga of treating their brothers well despite of what they had done to him is the resolution of this question in that he had sympathy for his brothers despite of their own transgressions. His services towards his brother were great; to the point, he provided for his brothers with their little ones in addition, comforted them and spoke to them kindly. (Genesis 50: 21 , NIV). This resolution is the foundation in the next stage of civilizing process encountered in Exodus in that, when Joseph and his brothers died, their children were fruitful and increased abundantly( Exodus 1: 7, KJV). The action that Joseph took of been his brother’s keepers, influenced his generation positively.
God’s power over humankind and nature
In the book of Exodus, God’s nature is revealed powerfully. When he approached Moses to be the leader of his people, he assured Moses to be with him at all times. This shows his compassionate towards all he has created. Additionally, God confesses to Moses that he has seen the oppression of his people in Egypt together with their cry of oppressions. His mission to set Moses apart was to deliver his people due to love and compassion he has towards humanity.
When pharaoh refuses to set free God’s people, he uses his power to bring plagues and chaos to the land of Egypt. When the children of Israel were thirsty, he told Moses to strike a rock and used his power to provide water for them from the rock. In addition, when the children of Israel worshipped idol gods, God wrath was upon him, punishing them for not believing in his word. In this aspect, he prevailed over the force of evil. Throughout Exodus, God has been revealed as indeed powerful in all his deeds.
Nature of leadership as embodied in Moses
Moses was a leader that ruled in democratic leadership style. He informed children of Israel on matters that affected with an aim of providing direction of showing them the right path to go through. When God said it time to move, it was his responsibility to lead God’s people through the red sea of life. In time of Passover, he pronounced the plagues one by one to Egypt in addition, set the children of Israel free to be obedient in leaving, to a strange land since it was right before God. His obedience towards God made him to forsake Egypt to the Promised Land even in the place of opposition. He led in patience in spite of the challenges he experienced in his ruling. A time, the children of Israel murmured on him but he was focused in loving them.
Idolatry
The children of Israel requested Aaron to make them gods that would go before them in replacing Moses who had delayed coming down from the mountain (Exodus: 32:1). According to this interpretation, they preferred been led by god they see compared to the invisible God that was represented by Moses. This development may have been facilitated by the fact that, calves were mostly used as gods. Later, God tells Moses that Israel had started worshiping idol gods. In this sense, God suggested that, they had turned from worshiping true God to worshiping molded calves.
Laws
Laws recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy together represent obedience in a world and every thing pertaining life.
The nature of wealth
Every individual was suppose to share his possessions with poor and the less in the society
Food
Food was permitted to come from animals that divided hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing cad. Fresh fruits were also permitted.
Worship & Religious rituals
Women were never allowed to worship God during their menstruation periods. They were regarded unclean during that period. Every person was to offer sacrifices to the maker. In addition, keeping the Sabbath day was viewed as worship.
Sexuality
Adultery was prohibited in addition; one was to take care of his family fully.
The purpose of these laws
According to Walton and Hill (2010), these laws were to guide people in life.
References
Walton, J.H., & Hill, A. E. (2010). A Survey of the Old Testament. New York: Zondervan
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