Date
12-1-2011
Department
English and Modern Languages
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Chair
Branson L Woodard
Primary Subject Area
Literature, General; Theology; Religion, General; Religion, Biblical Studies
Keywords
Benevolence, Exodus, God Character, Jonah, Plagues Narrative
Recommended Citation
Faust, Paul, "Severe Grace: An Examination of the Benevolence of the God Character in the Ten Plagues in Exodus 7:1-12:32 and in the Book of Jonah" (2011). Masters Theses. 211.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/211
Abstract
In Exodus 34:6-7, God claims to be "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty." This claim to coexistent mercy and wrath figures as a central claim regarding the benevolence of the God character in both the Ten Plagues Narrative in Exodus 7:1-12:32 and in the Book of Jonah. This thesis examines the God character's claim to benevolence in those two passages and claims that, based upon the literary data of those primary texts within the broader context of the Hebrew Bible, the actions and words of the God character are demonstrably benevolent toward the other characters present.
