DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links and a discussion forum 2013 December 11
Expulsion of Joachim from the Temple (north wall, detail) - (1365)
Giovanni da Milano (fl. 1346-1369.)
Italian Renaissance Style
Basilica of Santa Croce, Rinuccini Chapel Florence, Italy
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: I've chosen the painting above to represent Pharaoh's expulsion of Moses, for several reasons. First, and most obvious, an expulsion is involved. Secondly, a person favored by God is being rejected. Third, as Pharaoh prevented Moses from sacrificing to the LORD, so the person in the painting is preventing Joachim from making his sacrifice. Fourth, the lamb carried by Joachim, can, in the context of Exodus, be viewed as a representative of the Passover lambs which were sacrificed and eaten just before Israel left Egypt.
Exodus 11 begins with a parenthesis between Exodus 10:28-29, (where the narrative breaks off momentarily after Pharaoh warns Moses to see him no more and Moses agrees), and Exodus 11:4, (where the narrative resumes in the midst of Moses' reply to Pharaoh). The parenthesis mentions the fact that one last plague was coming, after which Pharaoh would let Israel go and drive them out; so they were to ask their neighbors for silver and gold; and they received it because the people had favor among the Egyptians, and they were in awe of Moses (1-3). After the parenthesis, Moses continued his answer to Pharaoh. In the previous chapter, when Pharaoh warned Moses never to see his face again, Moses said "You have spoken well, I will see your face again no more (Exodus 10:29)." Through Moses, the LORD warned Pharaoh that he would go out into the midst of Egypt about midnight and kill all the firstborn -- from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the slave girl and all the firstborn of the beasts; and a great cry would arise in the land; but not even a dog would growl against the people of Israel; and Pharaoh's servants would come and beg Moses and his people to leave. And, having issued these warnings, Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh. Then the LORD told Moses that Pharaoh would not listen, so that the Lord's wonders would be multiplied (4-9). And, as the LORD said, in spite of all these wonders, the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh refused to let Israel go (10).
Exodus 11
1 The LORD said to Moses, "Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely.
2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry."
3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
4 So Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt,
5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.
6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again.
7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.'
8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, you and all the people who follow you.' And after that I will go out." And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
9 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."
10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.
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copyright 2013, Scott Souza
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