Links to the Exodus and the Day of Atonement are found throughout the book of Genesis. These links are so pervasive that, though often overlooked, they are an integral part of the literary strategy of the author of Genesis. The goal of Through the Waters is to aid the reader in understanding the book of Genesis as the author intended, taking into account its literary and historical features. The goal is not only to understand each section of the book of Genesis on its own but also to understand how each section contributes to the book as a unified narrative. As each narrative section is explored and explained, the presence of the Exodus motif, or pattern, and what will be referred to as the Two-Goats motif will be highlighted. As these motifs are understood in the context of the text of Genesis, it will be seen how they contribute to the literary structure and to the tensions, expectations, and hope created by the book of Genesis.
