Crossing of the Red Sea, Part Two | HDYRI Newsletter #76
Week of 4/4/25
Last week in Episode 81 - Crossing of the Red Sea, Part One - Exodus 14:4-27, Pharaoh realizes that Moses has no intention of bringing the Israelites back to him, and the Egyptian armies begin pursuit. With help from the exegete Rashi, we discussed how much time has passed between the flight from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. Battle and danger emerge on the horizon and, as God predicted and accounted for, the Israelites want to return to Egypt and their slavery, but God does battle on their behalf. We concluded by considering the Red Sea episode in light of Genesis 1, the exodus as a new creation.
This week in Episode 82 - Crossing of the Red Sea, Part Two - Exodus 14:27-15:21, God saves Israel from Egypt once and for all. Through an incredible show of force through his frail servant Moses, God destroys Pharaoh, his men, horses, and chariots. This episode is focused on closely reading The Song of Moses, his victory song after seeing the Egyptians dead on the shore. We discuss a few poetic devices employed by the ancient writers and pay close attention to the vivid imagery and brilliant expansions of the song.
Episode 82 teaser:
Until next time!
If you are interested in digging deeper on your own, here are a few resources:
Ancient Christian reading practices:
Biblical Exegesis and the Formation of Christian Culture
Medieval exegesis:
Medieval Exegesis: The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 1
Medieval Exegesis : The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 2
Second Temple Judaism:
Two Gods in Heaven: Jewish Concepts of God in Antiquity
Torah with Rabbinic Commentary:
Bereishis Genesis, Part I and II, ArtScroll Tanach Series, Translation with Commentary
Mythological:
Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel
Literary approach:
René Girard