Moses before the Red Sea
This Egyptian princess found baby Moses floating in a basket among the reeds of the Nile River.
Who is Pharaoh's daughter?
The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites because they feared the Hebrews were becoming too numerous and might do this during wartime.
What is join Egypt's enemies (or rebel against Egypt)?
The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with this substance so the angel of death would pass over their homes.
What is the blood of the lamb?
This is the second step, where you think deeply about what the passage means and how it applies to your life.
What is Meditatio (or meditation)?
Abraham's wife, who was barren for many years before miraculously conceiving Isaac.
Who is Sarah (Sarai)?
When God called Moses from the burning bush, He revealed His divine name using these four Hebrew letters, YHWH.
What is "I AM WHO AM."?
The plagues demonstrate God's power over creation and refute this common act among the Egyptian people.
What is the worship of the Egyptian gods?
Jesus instituted this sacrament at the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, transforming it into the New Covenant.
What is the Eucharist?
This is the third step of Lectio Divina, where you respond to God in conversation, sharing your thoughts and feelings.
What is Oratio (or prayer)?
God commanded Abraham and all his male descendants to receive this physical sign as a mark of the covenant.
What is Circumcision?
God appointed this man, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman to Pharaoh and the Israelites.
Who is Aaron?
In Catholic moral theology, Pharaoh's repeated rejection of grace can lead to this dangerous spiritual condition.
What is hardness of Heart?
Pope Benedict XVI taught that the Passover sacrifice was incomplete until Israel crossed the Red Sea, just as Jesus's sacrifice is completed in this event three days later.
What is the Resurrection?
During Meditatio, you might do this action with a particular word or phrase that stands out to you.
What is focusing on it (or ruminating/dwelling on it/memorizing it)?
Abraham's grandson, who wrestled with God and received a new name meaning "one who strives/contends with God."
Who is Jacob (Israel)?
When Moses protests his call four times, God shows this theological truth: which St. Paul later echoes saying "My grace is sufficient for you."
What is [that] God's power works through human weakness?
the plagues as demonstrating both God's justice and this attribute, since He gave Pharaoh multiple opportunities to repent.
What is God's mercy?
The blood on the doorposts prefigures this sign that Christians receive in Baptism, which marks them as God's people.
What is the sign of the cross (or the baptismal seal/character)?
St. Benedict, who helped to develop Lectio Divina, said the practice helps you do this with Scripture: not just know it intellectually but let it transform this.
What is your heart (or your life/your actions)?
Circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant, but this sacrament instituted by Christ replaces it as the sign of the New Covenant.
What is Baptism?
The burning bush that was not consumed is seen by Church Fathers like St. Gregory of Nyssa as a type, or prefigurement, of this New Testament mystery.
What is the Incarnation?
The Doctrine that God permits evil and human freedom even while working toward ultimate good.
What is Divine Providence?
The bitter herbs eaten at Passover represented slavery in Egypt, and they prefigure this reality that Jesus endured for our salvation.
What is suffering (or the Passion/the bitterness of sin)?
The four steps of Lectio Divina correspond to this progression: from head knowledge, to heart understanding, to personal response, to this final reality.
What is transformation (or union with God/becoming like Christ)?
Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac is seen by the Church Fathers as a prefigurement of this later event?
What is the sacrifice of Jesus given by His Father?