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How Does Michael Goldberg Use The Exodus To Present Jesus?

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A valuable perspective for comprehending Matthew's Gospel is provided by Michael Goldberg in Jews and Christians. He claims that the book of Matthew uses aspects of the Jewish story, especially the Exodus, to frame the life of Jesus as the Christ. While primarily writing to a Jewish audience, Matthew is able to present Jesus as the new covenant and the realization of Jewish prophecy by referencing well-known themes from the Torah. The flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15), the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and the portrayal of Jesus as the new Moses throughout the Gospel demonstrate this reinterpretation. Through these instances, we are able to see how Matthew employs the story of the Exodus to present Jesus as not only a part of Jewish tradition, but as the promised …show more content…

Just like Moses, Jesus was born into a family that took care to protect him from the threats of dictators (Pharaoh in Moses' case and Herod in Jesus' case). The story of Moses surviving and returning to save his people from slavery tells the story of the escape to Egypt and the return to Israel. Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert where he was tempted by the devil, just as Moses and the Israelites did for forty years (Matthew 4:1-11). This period of trial and preparation demonstrates Jesus' role as a new leader who will lead his people to spiritual freedom, reminiscent of Israel's journey. As mentioned earlier, the Sermon on the Mount offers a new perspective on the law by presenting Jesus as a new Moses. This perspective remains the same in Matthew, where Jesus, along with Moses and Elijah, represents the Law and the prophets. This event confirms Jesus as the perfect representative of God and humanity and symbolizes his legal and prophetic tradition, the Exodus. Matthew connects Jesus to Jewish tradition and reinterprets these passages, making Jesus the central figure of our

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Matthew utilises references from the Old Testament which apply to Jewish audiences and their existing knowledge and provides a foundation of familiarity and authority; by drawing similar prophecies and direct quotations from the Old Testament, the prophecies which were made to the Jews by different prophets and relating them primarily to Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew uses these prophecies as how they were fulfilled by Jesus and how he primarily fits into the role of the Jewish Messiah. In summary, the Gospel of Matthew’s reliance on his audience to serve the purpose of establishing Jesus identity as a Messiah and fulfilment of the God’s promises in Jesus. Reference List Ehrman Bart, D 2023, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah: the Gospel According to Matthew, Oxford University Press.

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Traditionally, they were bound to the land and a particular temple for worship. The traditions of the Jews were transforming from a land-based society to a more portable one that follow them to wherever they wandered. As Jesus’ ministry advanced and as crowds gathered to hear his words, he taught them on parables, such as the one examined in this paper. These were short stories from everyday events with a deeper, spiritual meaning. By speaking in parables Jesus prevented his enemies from directly accusing him of false teaching and challenging his ministry.

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Gary Levi 10-23-15 Cardenas P6 Unit 2 Final Assessment By relating the account of The Temptations in his gospel, Matthew attempts to teach us of the human in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is tempted by power, selfishness, and status while fasting in the desert for forty days and forty nights. Obstacles that are constantly tempting humans, which the author inserted to show that we are similar to Jesus, tempted him. Matthew attempts to portray Jesus as the one who will fulfill the prophecies of the messiah that are referenced in the Old Testament.

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The stories presented in the reading represent not only an idea of deliverance to the people that read the stories at the time of or shortly after the time of writing, but have relevance to people everyone and everywhere. This is because the stories are manipulated in ways that then present a group as the “good guys” in the story, strengthening their position or cause. This has real-life political and social consequences, and also is indicative of the need to make stories about ourselves, to see ourselves in the “good guys.” One particularly utilized example is the reclamation of the story of Exodus. It repeats itself throughout the Gospel, to the point of Northrop Frye declaring it an archetype.

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On Sunday February 21st, Father Nelson gave a homily on the Transfiguration at Saint Anne. He was comparing Moses’ exodus to Jesus’. Moses lead the people of Israel away from Pharaoh and out of slavery, giving an escape from the world and earthly slavery. Jesus leads the disciples and us out of sin and death, giving us spiritual healing. Father Nelson continued on by talking about the cloud that led Moses.

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