TORAH and GLORY SCHOOL
Torah and Glory School Parsha Commentary Course
An education ministry of Bless the Land
Written by Dr. Hutch Church
December, 2010
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Parsha Lesson Fourteen: Va'era ("And I appeared")
Torah: Exodus [Shemot] 6:2-9:35
Haftorah: Ezekiel [Yechezkel] 28:25-29:21
Brit Chadashah: Romans [Romiyah] 9:14-17 and 2 Corinthians [Qorintiyah Bet] 6:14-7:1
Sections: 1. Weekly Commentary 2. Parsha Study 3. Prayer and Blessing 4. Living the Pasha
Welcome: "Teach me, O YHVH...Give me understanding...Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness" (Psalm 119:33-34,36). The primary supplication of the psalm is for spiritual enlightenment. The request occurs in verses 12, 26, 33, 64, 68, 108, 124, and 135. The psalmist wants to more completely understand the Law of YHVH. He asks for divine assistance, perceiving that the proper inclination of the heart toward the commandments, and not to material gain or vanities, is the work of the Most High. Therefore He prays for heavenly help: "Quicken me to thy righteousness" (v. 40).This segment of Psalm 119 will serve us well this week as a prayer model. "Teach me, O YHVH." Shalom.
Section 1: Weekly Commentary
Last week: "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh..." (Exodus. 6:1).
At the end of the last parsha, Moses had complained to Elohim that since his coming into Egypt things had become worse for the children of Israel, and still the promised deliverance had not come. YHVH graciously replied to calm Moses' worries and assure his expectations of deliverance by declaring His Name, YHVH, the "eternal, self-existent, immutable One." [Note: The one true Elohim of Israel has many names that are recorded in Scripture, and by them He reveals His virtues, attributes, character, personality, and redemption intentions toward mankind. But YHVH is the central, most lofty and reverenced Name among them. It is holy. More on that Name in the next section.]
Thus YHVH confirms to Moses that He will indeed bring His people out of Egypt with an outstretched arm (judgments, signs, and wonders), despite the stubbornness of the Egyptian king. There would be no more delays. Deliverance would commence. Moses would see a profound, divine exhibition of Elohim's power not previously displayed. The Eternal One would certainly keep the covenant He had made with the Patriarchs of Israel by taking their descendants out from their affliction in Egypt and bring them into the Promised land (Gen. 26:3; 28:15; 35:12; 46:4; 48:21).
This week: Parashat Va'era ("And I appeared") includes insight into the names of Elohim, Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh, and the contest between the "rods" on the palace floor. It also describes the first seven judgments, or plagues, that Elohim used (put forth) to (1) initiate the process of the deliverance of His people from Egypt, and (2) demonstrate to Israel, Egypt, and all onlookers, that He was/is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, divine Master over all creation and everything therein contained. After the last plague would lift, and His deliverance had run its course, no one in the dramatic narrative would be left wondering whether or not there was an Elohim in Israel. With that in mind, the title of this week's parsha, Va'era ("And I appeared" or "I was seen") is quite relevant. By His mighty acts and outstretched arm, He finally comes out of hiding (so to speak) and "appears", or makes Himself "seen". YHVH dramatically makes Himself known--to all Israel, the whole of Egypt, and all mankind within earshot--by His manifested supernatural power, judgments, and majesty.
Torah
Torah Note # 14: "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, and go in and possess the land which YHVH Elohim of your fathers giveth you" (Deut. 4:1).We are aware that there are 613 mitzvot in the written Torah. We also understand that the many oral teachings and traditions began to be put into writing about 2000 years ago in a document called the Mishnah ("repitition"). It codified the oral law of traditions and is divided into six sections. Later, rabbis added more oral teachings and principles that had become part of Jewish tradition and were compiled in the Gemara ("Completion"). Together, the Mishnah and the Gemara (and sometimes footnotes written by Talmudic scholars) form the Talmud. The Talmud is divided into six major sections. These are called sedarim (plural for sedar, "order"). They are: 1. Sedar Zeraim (seeds). 2. Sedar Moed (festivals). 3. Sedar Nashim (women). 4. Sedar Nezikin (damages). 5. Sedar Kodashim (sacrifices). 6. Sedar Tohoroth (cleanness). Each sedar includes seven to twelve books/volumes, which are called tractates, and these contain discussions, arguments, teachings, and traditions on just about every imaginable subject.
1. "God spoke further to Moses and said to him, I am the Lord [YHVH]; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by My name Lord [YHVH], I did not make myself known to them" (Sh'mot 6:2-3).
In the earlier parsha, the elders of the people had spoken to Moses and Aaron, and said, "you have made us odious in Pharaoh's sight and in the sight of his servants..." (Exo. 5:21). Although the prophet had been forewarned not to expect immediate success (Ex. 3:19; 4:21), the impetuous (somewhat impatient) Moses and his right-hand-man Aaron were grieved and greatly discouraged, and came and lamented before the Almighty. YHVH comforted Moses, made assurances, and confirmed them by His Name, YHVH, meaning "Only Existent, Eternal and Immutable." He informed Moses, "...and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name YHVH I did not make Myself known to them" (verse 3). This comment is very interesting and will take some explaining. It is well known that Elohim revealed Himself, His character and attributes by His various names. In Va'era He selects the one most suitable, from many, that would be His official Name (not title) in the earth, one that would best represent His essence and qualities before men. He reveals that sacred Name, YHVH, to Moses accompanied with a broader revelation (than the patriarchs had known) of its true meaning. And with that revelation, Moses received a deeper understanding of the character of Elohim.
In Genesis 17:1, YHVH appeared to Abraham as El Shaddai [God Almighty]. In Genesis 35:11 He appeared to Jacob with the same revelation. Although that name was not used with YHVH's appearance to Isaac, he nevertheless knew the name and used it (Genesis 28:3). In Genesis 15:7 Elohim introduced Himself to Abraham as YHVH before He revealed Himself as El Shaddai. In Genesis 38:13, El Shaddai revealed Himself to Jacob as YHVH-Elohim. Abraham, after Isaac had been replaced on the altar by a ram on Mount Moriah, named the place YHVH-Yirah. And in Exodus 3:14-15, the Almighty revealed Himself distinctly to Moses as YHVH, and declared the Patriarchs did not know Him by that Name. What's going on?
Elohim revealed Himself as El Shaddai (v. 3) at the birth of Isaac (Rom.4:17-22), in watching over and caring for the patriarchs in their journeys (Gen. 28:15), in their provision (Gen. 45:5-9), and in their increase and preservation in Egypt (Ex. 1:7, 12, 20; 3:2). That Name (or title), however, did not express or declare completely the more profound characteristics, or dimensions, of Elohim's nature and power that would come to be witnessed in the Exodus, and in the subsequent experiences of the children of Israel. To broaden the elders' (and peoples') consciousness and appreciation of Elohim's character, power, and faithfulness to a promise, the transition from El Shaddai to YHVH was undertaken. [Note: Today, as an example of the same thing, Believers are transitioning from the Name Jesus to the more accurate and descriptive Hebrew Name, Yeshua, which is much more compatible to the Messianic-Hebraic restoration movement into which we are moving.]
Thus the Name "YHVH"--sometimes replaced with Ha Shem or Hashem, which simply mean "the Name"--was revealed to Moses to represent Elohim as the One Who, with unrestrained freedom and power, fulfills His Word and carries out His promises. The Name of YHVH, as disclosed to Moses, took on the new dimensions of (a) power, (b) judgment, which includes punishment for sin and reward for virtue, (c) mercy, and (d) immediacy, distinguishing its fuller meaning from that which the patriarchs had known. Elohim was revealing to Moses that He was on the verge of fulfilling His Word/His oath to liberate Israel and bring them into Canaan. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had not seen Him fulfill the promises made to them in Genesis concerning the land or multitudes of descendants, for that time had not yet arrived. Nor had they witnessed anything on the scale that Moses and Israel were about to experience! The patriarchs knew the Name, but Moses was given greater revelation of its essence and thereby the significance of the Name as it pertained to the circumstances of that hour. The name YHVH would forever enlarge in the hearts of the people a faith that YHVH-Elohim would act with unbounded power to fulfill His Word, His promises, in a timely fashion. Rejoice!
Three points: First, one may know YHVH without knowing everything about Him. The Patriarchs knew Him as Absolute Ruler, One Who guided and protected, and would eventually fulfill His promise to them. Their faith and experience was centered on the Name El Shaddai, the Almighty One who is "more than enough", and it was accounted as righteousness. Secondly, different people know Elohim under different perspectives or aspects. Some saints are Fundamentalists, or Charismatics, or Pentecostals, or Messianics, and so forth. The revelation of a new title or name, like YHVH, and the expanded revelation of His character and pirpose it conveys, could be alarming to those holding on to old traditions. In the day of Moses, those who embraced their faith in El Shaddai may have held the believers in YHVH as somewhat unorthodox at first, even though there was no contradiction between the Names. Thirdly, old orthodoxy/traditional religion generally will evolve to view and experience Elohim as He has revealed Himself in the restoration periods. Restoration movements through history, of which the Hebrew roots movement is the most recent, reveal this to be true. Restated, the greater knowledge, understanding, and experience of the Holy Spirit and Scriptures that restoration movements have systematically restored to the Ecclesia--starting with the Reformation under Luther, and coming all the way to today's grass-roots Hebraic renewal movements--affirm the aforementioned pattern of gradual acceptance. Hence, at time proceeds, we see more and more believers, in some form or fashion, turning to their biblical heritage.
We, who are returning to our Hebraic roots, are experiencing a similar enlightenment as did Moses and his congregation of old, which is an even more complete revelation of the Elohim of Israel. Believers are learning that the God of Christianity is actually YHVH Elohim, the covenant-keeping, Holy One of Israel. This is a more complete representation of Him than many Christian denominations have before taught. We have learned that Jesus Christ has another, correct name that is Hebrew. He is Yeshua ha Mashiach, from the House of David, who is re-gathering the last sheep of the house of Israel. This designation represents Him much more completely. Also, the "Church", which could be correctly referenced as the Ecclesia (or Kahal ) is redeemed Israel, and was actually (a) delivered from Egypt and went through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:30-31), (b) brought into covenant with YHVH and officially birthed at Sinai (Exodus 24), (c) tempered forty years in the Wilderness (Deut 1, 2), (d) settled in Canaan as a nation (Joshua 21:43-45), (e) divided into the two kingdoms (houses) of Judah and Israel/Ephraim (1 Kings 11 and 12), (f) scattered to the nations (2 Kings 17:1-23; 2 Kings 25), (g) renewed with the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and is (h) being re-gathered, re-built, and restored to its biblical heritage today (Mt. 16:18; Acts 15:13-22). These end-times are revealing the beginning of the restoration of all Israel and thus the Spirit is bringing insight into the last days purposes of Elohim. To keep pace with YHVH's timetable, it is imperative that the Ecclesia/Kahal partake of the renewal blessings heaven is providing (Acts 3:19-21), and become restored in the Spirit's power and returned to the Torah's truth.
2. "Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from under their bondage, and will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you will know that I am the Lord thy God" (Sh'mot 6:6-7).
YHVH was sensitive to the disappointment of Moses and the people, who had found no relief from their heavy toils, and sent an encouraging message to them by Moses to renew their hope and restore their faith. The Almighty informed Moses that the imminent redemption of Israel, and the concurrent revelation of divine power and glory would greatly exceed what was revealed to the Patriarchs. "Israel was about to witness the events of their exodus from Egypt, a more graphic demonstration of God's power than their forefathers had ever seen. It was by this name, YHVH, that God's powerful works of salvation would be done. Israel would know by experience the full meaning of His name. Though they knew He was called [YHVH], the Patriarchs had not seen such a demonstration of power. Therefore, they had not known all the implications of that name." 2
The above passage in Sh'mot represents four progressive stages of redemption, which form the basis of the Four Cups at the Pesach Seder. They are: (a) "I shall take you out." YHVH would deliver the Hebrews from slavery even before they were allowed to actually leave Egypt. Their slavery ended in Tishri, however the people did not depart from the land until six months had passed. (b) "I shall rescue you." YHVH would remove His people altogether from Egypt, and their subjugation would be ended entirely. (c) "I shall redeem you." This Scripture speaks of Israel going through the Red Sea. It is where the judgment and outstretched arm of Elohim smashed Egypt, crushing the whole of its might, her armed forces. After this, the Hebrews were relieved of all their fear/paranoia of the former oppressors. (d) "I shall take you." YHVH took all the Hebrew people, and the people who had accompanied them, as His nation/bride at Mount Sinai. The Mosaic Covenant (marriage contract) was the crowning point of the Exodus.
Lesson: Moses is a type of Messiah. The manifestation and revelation of YHVH's attributes observed in Israel's deliverance are also expressed in the redemption of mankind from Satan and sin through Messiah Yeshua. A. He delivered us (Believers) from slavery to the world and subjugation to its curse. B. He removed us from the power and penalty of sin. C. Yeshua redeemed us by His Blood and overcame the prince of the power of this world. D. By His atonement and resurrection He has reconciled us to Elohim. Through faith and the new birth, we have become "a chosen race, and royal priesthood, and holy nation, a people of God's own possession...for your were once not a people [Lo ammi], but now you are the people of God [Ammi]; you had not received mercy [Lo ruhamah] but now you have received mercy [Ruhamah]" (1 Peter 2:9-10). Read Hosea 1.
You are redeemed Israel. Rejoice! [ See: Jer. 11:10-16; Rom. 8:1-2, 11:17-24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 4:8; Col. 1:12-15, 2:15; 1 Pet. 1:3-10, 2:9-10.]
3. "These are the heads of the fathers households" (Sh'mot 6:14).
The father's households are the tribal families. The genealogy was drawn up and inserted here, and takes up the family history where it was left off in chapter one, but is concerned primarily with the descent of Moses and the tribe of Levi. "The length of Levi's life is recorded, not from any chronological considerations, but to show Elohim's blessing upon the family of Moses, which gave such length of days to so many of his ancestors." 4
4. "Now YHVH said to Moses, 'See, I will make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you...' " (Sh'mot 7:1-2).
Each person has his/her place or grade. In our story, Pharaoh, the recipient is on the bottom rung. He listens to Aaron, the prophet. Aaron, the expounder, is called to listen to Moses and speak forth that which has been given to him. Moses, the lawgiver, stand in the place of the Almighty, discern His divine will and words, and inform his brother what he is to say and do.
5. "And YHVH spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 'When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, Work a miracle, then you shall say to Aaron, take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent' " (Sh'mot 7: 8-9).
It would take ten plagues to convince the Pharaoh to send the Hebrews out of Egypt, which was a polytheistic culture that worshiped many false gods, including everything from bugs to Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh's heart was made hard, stubborn, so YHVH could reveal His greatness to Israel, and Egypt too, by judging the most revered of the Egyptian deities. Each plague isolated and exposed a false deity as powerless to stop the work of YHVH's judgment.
6. "Go to Pharaoh...You shall say to him...Thus saith YHVH...By this you shall know that I am YHVH: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile...and it shall be turned into blood" (Sh'mot 7:14-17).
Hapi was the god of the Nile. This first judgment, along with all the others, were YHVH's blows ["smack-downs"] against Egyptian idolatry. All the water of the flowing Nile turned into blood for seven days! It was a supernatural miracle. Note: Messiah's first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
7. "...behold, I will smite your whole territory with frogs..." (Sh'mot 8:2).
Hept was the goddess of birth, and was represented as a frog. The preponderance of frogs was overwhelming. They were everywhere--under the Egyptians' feet, crawling in their beds and pantries, caught in their clothing and present in all the water and food, covering the land, floors, shelves, and roofs, and keeping people from sleep with their loud, incessant chirping and croaking day and night. The noisome little beasts quickly made Hept intolerable and despised, loathed and cursed by everyone. Pharaoh also was impacted by the plagues, and summoned Moses, who he began to view with more respect. There was a respite granted, but then the king hardened himself further.
8. "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt' (Sh'mot 8:16).
Geb was the deity of the soil, or dirt, and lord over gnats and lice. The plague could have included poisonous flies and biting insects [kinnom]. Possibly mosquitoes, that burst forth from their pupae as the Nile waters spread over the soil and land, were included. This judgment was not announced and caused the magicians of the court to give up competing with YHVH. Geb fell in utter defeat.
"Else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon you..." (v. 21). Kheper ruled over the flies, beetles and insects. There is some disagreement concerning exactly the translation of flies. Most commentators are content to include cattle/horse flies, beetles, dog-flies, and also mosquitoes. The plague was airborne. The Almighty was judging the water, earth, and the air of Egypt. Kheper, of course, was powerless to help the afflicted Egyptians.
"And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell..." (v. 22). The Hebrews were noticeably protected from the plagues, as YHVH made it know that He was not merely a local god, but the Elohim whose power and authority extended throughout the entire earth.
9. "...behold, the hand of YHVH will come with a very severe pestilence on your livestock..." (Sh'mot 9:3).
Apis was the god of cattle, and was depicted as a bull. At this time, the Nile had retreated and the land had dried somewhat, we assume, and the herds and flocks were back in the fields. The sins of the Egyptians' would bring the next judgment. It would come as a highly infectious, deadly disease upon their herds and flocks. The plague came and was devastating! The livestock in Egypt fell victim to the murrain. It was another blow against idolatry and inarguable testimony to YHVH's power. But Pharaoh hardened his heart again, and became even more embittered when he learned that the Hebrew livestock in Goshen was untouched and well.
10. "Take for yourselves handfuls of soot...it will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt and will become boils breaking out with sores on man and beast..." (Sh'mot 9:8-9).
This was the sixth plague/judgment. Isis was revered as the goddess of health and healing. It too was powerless to aid the people. This plague was sent, like the third, without a specific warning. This was a grievous judgment. The people, even the magicians, were covered with boils and blains, a painful and debilitating disease accompanied by pustulous ulcers. It may have been "the botch of Egypt" (Deut. 28:27). If so, it was incurable. Pharoah was warned that this plague, the sixth, would be more that an annoyance, but one of severity affecting the very health and lives of the people.
11. "Behold about this time tomorrow, I will send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded..." (Sh'mot 9:18). Nut was regarded as the goddess of the sky, or heaven, and Horus, depicted as a falcon, was also seen as a sky deity. These demonic principalities/rulers of darkness would fall just as hard before the power of YHVH as had the other false gods. This plague, like the others, was uncompromising and grim in its nature. It was terrifying and very destructive to the land and life of Egypt, except in Goshen which was spared the ordeal. Pharaoh witnessed the great storm clouds come over the land. The unprecedented, highly-electrified storm came with hurricane-force winds, continuous thunder, dreadful lightning, and large fireballs. [Note: These would be masses of electric current/fluid collected into a mass/body of fire that, under certain conditions, can remain for several seconds or even minutes, and roll in great balls along high-voltage wires and even the on ground.] Concurrent with all this was the heavy, relentless, crushing hail which descended with ferocity in the midst of the deafening, frightful display of divine might. Some of Pharaoh's servants awakened to the startling evidence of Elohim's power and dominion, and to the significance of the situation; others did not and remained hardened. This reminds us that today there are only two classes of hearers: (a) those to whom the preaching of the Gospel is a savour (specified aroma or quality) of death unto death, and (b) those to whom the Word is a savour of life unto life. See Acts 28:24; 2 Cor. 2:16. cts 28:24; Cor. 2:16.] The terrified king was momentarily stirred once again, being made aware that his life was in the hands of God, and he called for Moses.
12. " But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the YHVH had spoken through Moses" (Exodus 9:34-35).
"Altogether there are three different Hebrew verbs which our translators have rendered by 'harden' or 'hardened'--kabad, gashah, and khazag. The first of these, which occurs in Exodus 7:14; 8:15, 32; 9:7 and 34, is the weakest of the three, and means to be 'dull' or 'heavy', rather than 'to be hard.' The second, which appears in Exodus 7:3 and 13:15, is the stronger term, and means 'to be hard', or, in the Hiphil [a form of Hebrew verbs], 'to make hard.' But the third has the most intensive sense, implying fixed and stubborn resolution. It occurs in Exodus 4:21; 7:22; 8:19; 9:35; and elsewhere." 1
The narrative of Exodus reveals that the spiritual petrification of the heart occurs through willful and prolonged disobedience to the Word of Elohim, just as sanctification of the heart takes place over time through obedience to the Word and the Holy Spirit. Both are processes, like the petrification of wood to stone, for instance. [Note: petrify vt 1: to convert into stone or a stony substance 2: to make rigid or inert like stone: a: to make lifeless or inactive: DEADEN: PARALYZE. Petrification n 1: the process of petrifying 2: the quality or state of being petrified.]
In spite of the seven plagues, Pharaoh and his servants (officers of his court) remained impious and determined to keep to their imprudent, reckless course of defiance, somehow still unconvinced of YHVH's resistless power. They had proceeded from kabad (dull) to qashah (hardened, duller), and finally to khazaq (hardened and resolute opposition, no place for true repentance; dullest) by the end of the chapter nine. After the eighth plague, which we will read about in the next parsha, our readers will find that the mood of some in Pharaoh's arrogant and stubborn court has changed.
We are reminded. "He who has an ear [it only takes one ear to hear, be convicted, turn, and obey], let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches [Ecclesia, congregations of Israel]. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death [shall in no wise be injured at the hands of the second death, the absolute exclusion from God]" (Rev. 2:11). The choice before all believers who hear [shema] the call of the Spirit to return to their Hebraic heritage is to hearken, and not to become disinterested and hardened to restoration truth.
Haftorah
1. "Thus saith the YHVH Elohim; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then they shall dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob" (Ezek. 28:25).
Ezekiel prophesies the re-gathering of the exiles of Israel from the nations to their covenant land. It is a reflection of the promise YHVH made to Moses, who had wobbled somewhat (Ex. 5:21-23) when the suffering of the Hebrews had intensified under the stubborn hand of Pharaoh. YHVH assured his servant: "I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians...I will take you for My people" (Ex. 6:6-7).
2. "And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am YHVH...behold, therefore I am against thee..." (Ezek. 29:9-10).
In the passage, Ezekiel also prophesied concerning Egypt's demise [its decease as a powerful, influential nation]. This judgment of Egypt--which was foreshadowed in parsha Va-era by the ten plagues--came because (a) they had not assisted Israel against the barbarous Babylonians when it was within their means to do so (Ez. 29:6-7), and (b) they were proud, self-confident, and glorified the Nile River as their source of prosperity (29:3-10). The prophet declared that Babylon would conquer and loot Egypt, and that it would be restored but never again rise to prominence (29:10-19). Consider: (1) YHVH's integrity: "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it will not return unto Me void [empty; without fruit or effect], but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it" (Isa. 56:11). (2) Mankind's self-centeredness: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall [stumbling]" (Prov. 16:18).
Yeshua: The Living Torah "I did not come to destroy but fulfill" (Mt. 5:17).
1. "Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons" (Mark 16:9).
Mary Magdalene, whose love for Yeshua was deep and enduring, was the first to witness an appearance of the risen Messiah. Seeing the angel at the tomb had frightened her, but the appearance of Yeshua gave her confidence, and she went with joy and excitement to tell the disciples (John 20:11-18). The disciples were weeping, mourning Messiah's death, and grieved over what they thought was a lost cause when she arrived. They did not believe the simple testimony of the honorable and truthful Mary, though they should have. Neither did they believe the testimony of the two disciples who later had returned to Jerusalem to report their experience with the risen Savior on the road to Emmaus. But, "...afterward He was manifested (appeared) unto the eleven themselves" (v. 14). Yeshua appeared to the secluded apostles at the close of the day, apparently at the end of the first day of the resurrection. He rebuked His disciples for their unbelief--"O fools, and slow of heart to believe...ought not Messiah to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" He spoke in this strong manner because they had not believed the testimony of the faithful, reliable believers, and they had failed to discern the substance/gist of Messianic prophecies (Psalm 16:8-11; 132:11; Isaiah 53, for instance), even those He Himself had once uttered in their presence (See Mt. 12:40; 27:63; Mk. 8:31; 10:34; Jn. 2:19). But the testimony of their eyesight and hearing was believed, and they rejoiced together as unbelief was instantaneously transformed into faith.
2. "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed" (from John 20:24-29).
In the episode referenced above Yeshua reproved Thomas for his unbelief also. At the same time He pronounced a wonderful blessing/benediction on all those who would rise up in faith in the future, and believe in Him through the words that he and the prophets had spoken, without having to rely on a visible manifestation. "...but the just shall live by faith" (Hab. 2:4; also Rom. 1:17 and Heb. 10:38). The just walk by faith because it is unnecessary and impossible for every single person to see Yeshua, but it is necessary and possible for all to believe His words and know Him by faith. After the ascension the apostles would learn to believe/trust in the One Whom they could no longer see. In Missouri there is the old adage, "Show me first and I'll believe." In the Kingdom of Yeshua we find the opposite principle at work: "If you believe, you will see." The Word provides us with a hope and when we believe the promise it providentially manifests in the realm of our experience. Our faith must first and always rest in the Word of Elohim. Yeshua spoke to the Pharisees concerning faith, saying, "If they hear not [believe not] Moses and the prophets [the Word of Elohim], neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead [and appeared before them]" (Luke 16:31).
The Holy Spirit "...but you shall receive power..." (Acts 1:8).
1. "...that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, I am the Lord; speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you..." (Exodus 6:29-30).
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: Part 6
Moses heard YHVH speak to him. Yeshua, the Prophet Moses declared would come, was led by the Spirit, and obeyed His Father's (Abba's) voice. Let us look at what Yeshua and the Gospels say of the Holy Spirit.
"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me" (Mal. 3:1). History makes it clear that the verse does not refer to an angel (or heavenly visitant), but to John the Baptist, the herald of the coming of the Messiah. The phrase, "clear the way before Me", is taken from Isaiah 40:3 and 62:10. John the Baptist would come to preach repentance, and thereby remove the barrier of unbelief and sin that stood between Messiah and the people. The emphasis on (and allusions to) the Holy Spirit found in the Gospels begins with the events of the births of John [Yochanan] and Yeshua.
From the very beginning, with the coming of Messiah, his birth, introduction, and ministry of preaching, and healing, the Holy Spirit has been highlighted. The important role of the Spirit of Elohim in the New Covenant is thus brought to the forefront of our attention.
"The angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you..." (Luke 1:35). The Holy Spirit was "in the beginning" (Genesis) hovering over the void, brooding, and moving upon the face of the deep. We find Him also in the beginning of the Gospel moving upon the virgin. "In the beginning was the Word..." (John 1:1) He would be conceived and formed in the womb of a woman after the manner of man, but entirely and only by the invisible, powerful, creative, holy operation of the Spirit. Thus, He Who was conceived in her, was completely pure and sanctified.
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby [Yochanan the Immerser] leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 41). The Spirit of Elohim continues to select individuals to fill and fortify for the redemption mission ahead. He filled John with joy while he was still in his mother's womb, and filled his mother with the Spirit. The prophetic unction, which we have observed was so prominent in the Old testament, anoints and empowers her to prophesy with joyful and thankful thoughts and emotions to YHVH on the behalf of the two, highly favored women.
"And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied..." (v. 67).
The prophets' vision of the Spirit's universal outpouring in the last days was beginning to take form, but the Holy Spirit would not be given to regenerate and baptize every Believer for approximately thirty three years. See: Act 2:30-40.
Brood over this truth. We have been commanded by Scripture to "be filled with the Spirit." As He formed the Word in Miriam's womb, so Messiah Yeshua is formed in us "the hope of glory" by the invisible, operation of the same Spirit. Welcome the Holy Spirit's fullness and over-shadowing in your life. Cease from carnal exertions, obey the commandments, and trust Him to do a great inner work of transfiguration as you follow Him.
2. "And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee...(Exodus 7:1).
Knowing His Voice/Being Led by His Spirit
Pharaoh would not listen to Moses and Aaron. But the Children of Israel, because of an apparent lack of fulfillment /progress in deliverance promises, were also showing resistance to the prophet. Continued difficulties, struggles, disappointments, and harassments in general had closed their hearts and minds to the Word of Elohim. Likewise, today discouragement and persistent troubles tend to render Believers uninterested, even incapable, of giving YHVH and the Scriptures a fair hearing. Lengthy trials and tribulation, which are part and parcel of life on earth, often serve to strip away hope, and dilute the desire, even the inclination, to listen to/for the voice of the Lord. When pride--Pharaoh's problem, and one that usually plagues those who remain in high office too long--doubt, fear, covetousness, and worldly cares dominate the souls of the Saints, it is difficult for the Word of Elohim to gain a sure footing within them. Yeshua gave us the way to deal with oppression. "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mt. 5:36).
So it was with the Hebrews in Egypt, and even Moses to an extent. To them, it seemed that hope was being deferred, and their spirits were withering. Therefore, YHVH came with words of encouragement, uplifting and enabling them to persevere.
The Apostle Paul had the same idea in mind when he blessed the recently corrected Corinthians with a rich benediction. "The grace of the Master Yeshua HaMashiach, and the love of God (Abba), and the fellowship (intimate communion) of the Holy Spirit, be with you all" (2 Cor. 13:14).
We hear the voice/word of the Spirit through "the fellowship of the Spirit", which is our intimate union and communion with Him. This could be described as a Spirit-to-spirit (inner man) relationship between Elohim and the Believer.
"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Messiah..." (Romans 8:16). Believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when they are born-again (born of the Spirit/second birth), which occurs at conversion to faith in Messiah. He (the Spirit) is the "promise of the Father", and "the Comforter" of whom Yeshua spoke. The Spirit is compatible with the recipient's regenerated spirit, and a holy unity is formed which brings blessed influences into the Believer's spirit and mind. This holy communion assures us, by the witness of the Spirit, of His favor and Fatherhood. Our fellowship with the Spirit allows for intimate communications, and confirms His Word that we are indeed the children and heirs of YHVH.
"Now, may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and, soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5:23).
[Note: Scripture presents man is a tripartite being. Body, soul, and spirit are the three parts (substantives) that form the basic composition of his nature. The interesting description of (reference to) human wholeness in this verse did not originate with the Benjamite's imagination, nor is it mere rhetoric. To the contrary, the Apostle Paul was under divine inspiration when he wrote/placed his heart-felt prayer and blessing upon his new converts, all of whom he wanted, completely and thoroughly, encouraged and enriched. Similar references to the components of man's makeup are found elsewhere in Scripture. Therefore, we have included a brief comment.
It is the spirit of man (the inner man) that (a) actually assimilates/connects him to God and the spiritual realm, (b) is regenerated at the new birth, (c) enables him to be religious (have a sense of eternity/God), (d) resides in the midst of the soul, (e) is the place of the conscience (Rom. 7:21), and (f) is susceptible to communion with the Holy Spirit. The soul encompasses the mental faculties--and is the seat of man's consciousness, and processor of the physical senses, emotions, interests, and desires, as well as spiritual input. It comes into being when the spirit and flesh are united at conception (Gen. 2:7). The body is man's material/corporeal frame, and the place of his physical senses.
There is much more that could be said on this subject. Nevertheless, it is not the purpose of this commentary to delve with great detail into the anatomy of the human spirit, the components of the soul, the physical senses of the human body, the conscience, or their integration and inter-relationships. Our purpose is to (1) present foundational teaching on the restoration of the kingdom, power, and glory of YHVH to all Israel, and (2) to facilitate the individual Believer's restoration to their Hebraic heritage and in the ministry of the Spirit. But for those who wish to study in depth the components and functioning of man's composite being, there are good materials available. Study them if you wish. But with all your reading, this BTL commentary included, be sure to follow the example found in Acts:17:10.]
Glory Note # 14: "So that the priests could not stand to minister because the cloud: for the glory of YHVH had filled the house of YHVH" (1 kings 8:11). The holy Ark of the Covenant had been moved from the city of David to the Temple Mount, and Solomon presided over the spectacular procession when suddenly the Shechinah appeared--the glory cloud. It was a wonderful sign of the presence of YHVH and His approval of the event. The priest were so overcome and dazzled by the brilliant display of glory that they could not continue their assignments. The divine appearance/manifestation of His glory was doubly prophetic of a future day. A. It pointed to the incarnation of Messiah. He filled the temple of His human body with the glory of Elohim (Mt. 17:1-8). B. The impartation of Himself to believers by the regeneration and indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:8; 1 Cor. 6:17; 2 Cor.6:16). "In this, God communicated Himself in the highest form of revelation , and the most intimate fellowship of which man is capable. The "dwelling" of the Holy Spirit in every new-born soul, in every assembly of spiritual worshipers, in the one body [of Messiah]...is prefigured in the scene before us." 2 Be filled with His glory!
Parsha Summary
1. "And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant" (Sh'mot 6:5).
Moses and the Israelites are assured by God that they have not been overlooked or forgotten, and that YHVH will sustain them and quickly deliver them from their bondage. This, He did. Elohim is the Mighty One, and ever faithful, Who "keepeth covenant and mercy, yea, to a thousand generations" (Deut. 7:9). He is not a man. He cannot lie. To you and me He says, "Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
Section 2: Vision and Parsha Study
"Out from the throne came flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne seven blazing torches burned, which are the seven Spirits of God [seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit]" (Rev. 4:5).
The heritage of Israel are the Torah and the Glory of YHVH. The two are the foremost revelations of His love, holiness, and perfection. For now we will define the glory of Elohim as the totality of the goodness and righteousness of His character as revealed in the Scriptures, in creation, and supernaturally expressed, even visibly and tangibly, by His weighty manifest Shechinah ("settling") presence that Moses experienced at the bush incident, on Mount Sinai, and when the Tabernacle was first erected (Ex. 3:3; 33:17; 40:34-35). "It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of stone were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him" (Ex. 34:29). Both the essence of YHVH's Torah [Ten Commandments/Words written on the tablets] and YHVH's glory that were carried down the mountain by Moses are divinely birthed into the spirits/hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit and regeneration through faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 11:14-21; Joel 2:27-28; John 3:1-16; Acts 1,2,10; 1 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). Therefore we believe it is YHVH's will for all Israel to experience His manifest goodness and His manifest glory increasingly as our blessed individual and corporate habitation; as our tangible mantle and divine supernatural covering. (1 Pet. 4:14). Our hope is based upon His Word: "I will cause My Shechinah [His glorious, radiant presence; the supernatural brilliance which is the outward expression of His character and goodness; See Matthew 17:1-8] to dwell [to settle] in the midst of [within, upon] thee" (Zech. 2:10).
Messianic Israel is called to make (by faith and obedience to His Truth) His anointing, His tangible presence, and His discernable, manifest glory, dominant internal and external realities in our lives. With this intent in mind, we have provided an explanation for your examination. Please read it and follow the study instructions. They explain the pathway of progress toward this pursuit of regaining the fullest possible measure of our spiritual heritage, the knowledge and experience of the Spirit and Truth of the Holy One of Israel. May the time we spend in prayer and study become times of divine encounters also.
Torah and Glory School Vision: "...search for Me..." (Jeremiah 29:13). This section is provided to help the student read beyond the basic commentary that we have presented, and study carefully all the Scriptures in the week's parsha for themselves. As each reader presses more deeply into the Word and learns to depend more consistently on the Spirit in his/her search for greater knowledge and intimacy with Yeshua, increased personal enrichment and spiritual transformation will be experienced and enjoyed. Section 2 contains a review of the weekly parsha's Scriptures, their topical content, and our questions. Working with each week's Scriptures and Questions are both very important to our purpose. They are designed to assist the student to (1) develop a vision for the restoration and reconciliation of the whole house of Israel, (2) grow in foundational knowledge of the Torah, (3) recover the principles, practice, and Holy Spirit power of the early, first-century Nazarene believers, and (4) experience and enjoy greater dimensions of the kingdom, power, and glory of Yeshua.
The assigned Scriptures and Questions, along with Section Three's prayer and blessing activities, comprise (5) the heart of the Torah and Glory School's study program by which the student can be most edified and advanced spiritually. By them the student learns on his/her own while depending on, and thereby coming to know more personally, the Holy Spirit. We strongly encourage each student to rely upon the Spirit/Ruach--for understanding, revelation, insight, illumination of the Word, edification, and divine fellowship--during prayer, worship, and study. He is the close-at-hand primary Teacher of the course, not this author. [Note: Learning the Almighty's voice and experiencing His manifest glory, not just acquiring more information, are central goals of the Torah and Glory School.] In this way, the Scriptures--reading them while listening for the Holy Spirit, and the Questions--writing answers while under the Spirit's unction and receiving divine input, work together to comprise (6) the student's chief means of personal practice/exercise/training in seeking, waiting on, listening for, and promptly responding to the voice/word of Elohim. And by such seeking, faith-motivated students position themselves spiritually, mentally, and emotionally prepare themselves for experiencing a visitation of Yeshua's presence and glory through the Spirit. In this way the Scriptures and Questions also become (7) the channels through which the Spirit of Messiah will directly communicate personal instruction, direction, wisdom, and comfort to each engaged person. The students who faithfully follow the "game plan" and remain committed to do so for the year, will be transformed, and enjoying much closer fellowship with the Father, and Yeshua, His Son, and hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, by the end of Deuteronomy.
Scriptures and Questions
Prayer: "Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law" (Psalm 119:18).
Exodus 6:2-9:35: Elohim's names: El Shaddai and YHVH/ Heads of Israel/ Redemption proceeds/ Aaron's-Moses' rod/ Water to blood/ Frogs/ Gnats/ Flies-insects/ Pestilence/ Boils/ Hail/ Pharaoh hardens his heart.
Ezekiel 28:25-29:21: Israel delivered from exile and re-gathered.
Romans 9:14-24: The election and mercy of Elohim.
Study Questions: "...be ready always to give an answer..." (1 Peter 3:15). Trace the theme, the main idea, through each question.
1. In your opinion, what is the main theme or teaching of each of the listed readings individually: the Torah, the Haftorah, and the Brit Chadashah?
2. What is the common, central idea, or subject, that runs through and unites all the individual readings, as you see it?
3. Find in the Gospels where and how Yeshua declares, demonstrates, exemplifies, or exhibits the parsha's central truth, and explain. Give chapter and verse. [Ask: Where is Yeshua in this?]
4. In what way was the glory of YHVH [manifestations of His goodness] revealed in the parsha lesson? [Pray: Let me see Your glory in the reading.]
5. What does the parsha teach you/show you about your Hebrew roots ; your identity, your destiny, your duty? [Ask: What are You telling me about my heritage and calling?]
6. In what way did the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh personally speak to you during prayer and study this week? Did He impress you about how to apply the parsha lesson directly to your life? Explain. [Ask: Let me hear Your voice.]
7. "...because of practice [by reason of use] have their senses trained [exercised] to discern..." You and I are called to return to hearing the voice of Elohim and to functioning in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Progressing in these vital areas will require spiritual hunger, faith, and practice. He is waiting for us to approach Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak into your spirit/heart as you pray each day. Look for opportunities to lay hands on the sick, or to be used in prophesy. Faithfully record the prophetic words and experiences you receive, and be sure to share them with your brethren.
It is helpful to share your answers, insights, and revelations with your study group (table class). We recommend meeting regularly in a small group. This allows for healthy interaction and exchange, and militates against stagnation. Practice operating with your spiritual gifts under the anointing of the Holy Spirit while among your friendly, supportive peers. Allow for open participation in leading praise and worship. Give altar calls at your table for healing, refreshing, and prophetic words. These are effective ways for all present to mature in their calling and gifting. The non-threatening small group provides a favorable and encouraging environment in which to learn the ministry of the Spirit.
Section 3: Prayer, Declaration, and Blessing
[Note: The prayer and declaration Scriptures are changed with each book of the Torah. For instance, in Exodus we will have new Scriptures on which to focus. And more in Leviticus, and so on. However, the Song of the Lord/Prophetic Worship teaching section is progressive and new each week. So, be sure to use this section. Shalom.]
"On this wise shall ye bless the children of Israel, saying unto [over] them, the Lord bless thee...keep thee..." (Num. 6:23-24).
Important: Participate each week in the Bless the Land prayer, benediction, and singing exercises/activities, both individually and with your group. This is important for yourself and others. Your joining in with vocal participation--blessing and strengthening Israel with your spoken words, prophetic utterances, sung psalms, and intercessions--will also help develop and enlarge your prophetic anointing and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Daniel, who daily faced Jerusalem and Israel from his house in exile to pray, is an example of what we can do weekly from our homes today. "...Daniel...entered his house(now his roof chamber had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling...praying and giving thanks before his Elohim" (Daniel 10).
Bless the Land: "On this wise shall ye bless the children of Israel, saying unto them [declaring the Word to and over them], the Lord bless thee...keep thee..." (Num. 6:23). YHVH wanted to bless, keep, and place His glory upon His people. So He had his priests stand in His place [stand in for Him] and proclaim the blessings, which He in turn would perform for the believing recipients. Believers have a similar role today, as did Aaron and the priests in ancient Israel. "But you are...a royal priesthood..." (1 Pet. 2:9). When we take our place as a responsible priesthood and begin to declare the written and prophetic word and will of YHVH, even spontaneous songs, over His people, He will rise up and perform that which has been declared. He works in partnership with his set-apart royal priesthood. Therefore, "...bless, for to this you were called, that you may receive a blessing" (1 Pet. 3:9).
[Note: "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life" (Prov. 10:11). Born-again believers' mouths are connected to the spiritual power that created the universe. His Spirit and Word are in our hearts and minds (Jer. 31:31-33; Ezek. 11: 19-20; Joel 2:28-29; John 3:5-8; Acts 2:38; etc.). Our words possess/carry both constructive power (building up) and destructive (tearing down) power. Job 22:28; Luke 4:18-19; Mt. 21:21; 28: 18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:4; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12: 1-11; Eph. 6:17-19; Rev. 8:3). "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:2). Therefore, let us fulfill our priestly role by blessing one another and declaring with confidence His Word over Jerusalem, Israel, and your nation this week.]
"And I will bless them that bless thee" (Gen. 12:3).
1. Pray for Israel.
Numbers 6:23-26. "This is how you shall bless Israel..." Each week. Memorize, and lift up your voice and bless the land.
2. Pray for Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:1-9. Memorize. We recommend speaking this passage over the Holy City each Sabbath, and bless it.
3. Pray for America/Pray for your nation.
Joel 2:28-29. Spiritual awakening. A great outpouring of the Spirit.
4. Sing the Song of the Lord/Prophetic songs. [Teaching/Exhortation]
"Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones" (Palm 149:1).
This particular psalm is a "Hallelujah Psalm". It unites praise of Elohim for mercies already received with expectations of YHVH's help in over-coming enemies who are persecuting His people. This was a "new song" that came forth from a new deliverance.
The "new song" (Psalms. 33:3; 96:1; 144:9) can be an old song that has new life infused into it because of a new, faith-inspired experience with the Eternal One. A new song, in this case, expresses new hope, new joy, new visions of a new era YHVH is opening for His people. New songs are suited to celebrate and remember momentous occasions.
"Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and said, 'I will sing unto the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously, the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation...' " (Exodus 15:1-2).
The song of the Lord can be described as a sacrifice of praise. The first activity of Elohim's ransomed ones, those who had come out from bondage and sure destruction by the pursuing Egyptian soldiers, was singing and dancing. Praise goes first. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks" (1 Thess. 5:16-17). A place filled with the demonstrated or occurring goodness of the Almighty is the meeting-place between Him and man. Israel had reason to be glad. 1. YHVH's deed was majestic and awesome. 2. He Who had been their strength had become their salvation. 3. Not one person of the multitude that had come from Egypt had been lost. He had come and appeared for each one of the people. He was to each person, small or great, "my God." 4. This was another great act of YHVH, Who had been faithful to their fathers.
When the Israelites were safely on the far side of the Red Sea, and Egypt's army had been over-whelmed within it, Moses and Miriam led the people in singing the Song of Moses. It is recalled in Exodus 15 for all to read and sing when the great deliverance is remembered and celebrated. Other well known songs of the Lord's deliverance extolling Him greatly include the songs of Deborah, David (when bringing up the ark), Solomon (on dedicating the Temple) and Miriam (on receiving the visit of the angel).
Two results/benefits are noticed coming from the deliverance of the Israelites by the hand of the Almighty. First, They/we gain increased knowledge of the wonder and marvel of YHVH's power. Egypt and Pharaoh, when measured against the strength and resolve of Elohim, are utter vanities, a laughingstock. YHVH's right hand completely crushed the nation's might. Secondly, their/our faith is revived and enlarged. God's deliverances and great works shrink the hearts and confidences of our enemies. We are re-bolstered, and charged with renewed trust that the power and grace of our Elohim will bring us through to our rest.
Take a verse from the Song of Moses, and sing it as a thanksgiving (meal) offering to the Father. Remember your deliverances and lift up your voice. Expect His unction to come upon you and bless your praise. And, let praise be the first thing out of your mouth in every circumstance this week.
Section 4: Living the Parsha
Conclusion: "And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for an heritage: I am the Lord" (Exodus 6:8).
A heritage [property that descends to an heir; a birthright; legacy] is more than an inheritance. The verse suggests that the promised land remained an eternal possession of the Israel of God, all the tribes, even if they had not been to the land or had seen it. Wherever they might be therefore, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph would long to return to Eretz Yisrael, which would always be theirs.
Israel was taken to be YHVH's people and He became their Elohim, in a formal sense, with the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai. [Exodus 19:5-6, 20:1, 29:45-46.] He had accompanied them to Sinai in a most personal and assuring way, in the pillar of fire and cloud. [13:21. 14:19-20, etc.] They were brought into the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, and took possession thereof by Joshua. Under his successors and the Judges they settled and lived in Canaan in their tribal regions as a theocracy. Under David and Solomon, Israel became a monarchy, a united nation occupying the territory, the land which YHVH "did swear to give it to Abraham." He pledged His faithfulness by sealing the promise with His Name, YHVH ( or "I the Eternal One"). The oath basically meant, "You have the pledge of My Eternity and Immutability that it shall be yours."
The Almighty has kept His covenant which He made with the children of Israel at Mount Sinai. He brought them into the land and gave them the promised blessings that He said He would. On the other hand, He also brought on them the threatened judgments which, in the event of their unrepentant disobedience, He said He would. In every case, He is faithful to fulfill His promises. He made a promise by the prophet Jeremiah which He has also honored. "Behold, days are coming, declares YHVH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares YHVH. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHVH, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people" (Jer. 31:31-33).
The author of Hebrews writes of Yeshua being the Mediator of the New Covenant. "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises" (Hebrew 8:6).
The phrase, "the days are coming" (Jer. 31:31), is prophetic and speaks to the time of Messiah. The passage tells us that: (1) the limitations of the Old Covenant were with the people not continuing in it, not assimilating His Torah, not remaining obedient, and the presence and protection of YHVH being withdrawn from them. [Jeremiah had the Babylonian captivity in view when he spoke this encouragement to Judah.] (2) Two prominent characteristics of the New Covenant are: A. YHVH's laws are not emblazoned on stone or written upon parchment as an external code, but His Ten commandments (the essence of the Torah) are supernaturally, divinely put into the mind and placed on the heart of the Believer; B. the general knowledge and experience of the reality and presence of YHVH, by revelation of the indwelling Spirit, for small and great alike without the need of ongoing admonitions or reminders; C. the sense, the inward witness of the forgiveness and removal of sins through Yeshua, and acceptance in the Beloved, becomes the inspiring and motivating principle of obedience to the Believers. "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
[Note: The Book of Hebrews was originally intended for Jewish Believers who were suffering persecution for their faith in Yeshua of Nazareth. Some were considering abandoning their New Covenant faith and returning to Judaism. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews presents Yeshua as the absolute, pre-eminent final and complete revelation of YHVH, and to set forth the sacrifice, priesthood, and sanctuary of the New Covenant in Messiah. It goes on to point out that the remedy to backsliding and apostasy is a proper understanding and appreciation of the glory and work of Messiah Yeshua. Faith in Him as our eternal, perfect, heavenly High Priest is infinitely better to that imperfect priesthood which was practiced in the Old Covenant. In a nutshell, Hebrews compares Yeshua to the old sacrificial system and presents Him as (1) the final and superior revelation and spokesman of YHVH. He is also declared to be: (2) superior over angels, (3) superior over Moses, (4) superior over the Aaronic Priests, (5) the superior sacrifice, and has Himself, "purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3).]
Hebrews declares that it's the old Aaron/Levitical priestly system that was passing away, not the Torah. The Aaronic priesthood would be entirely gone after the Romans invaded Judea, crushed Jerusalem, and burned and destroyed the Temple. The New Covenant priesthood of Believers, after the order of Melchisedec, of which Yeshua has been made the High Priest, is functioning today.
1. Personal application: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Roman 10:17).
In Romans 10:16-21 Paul, who was obviously passionate about the Gospel, sorrowed over the folly of those who rejected it, especially his "kinsmen according to the flesh." The apostle grieved at the lack of faith in Messiah exhibited by so much of Israel. But Israel's unbelief was predicted. Isaiah had said of Yeshua, "He was despised and forsaken of men...and like one from whom men hid their face, He was despised and we did not esteem Him." To refuse the Word of God is inexcusable. It has been sent into all the world, and communicated in (just about) every language. YHVH has graciously provided the opportunity for men to hear His salvation truth, and it is up to people to listen and to avail themselves of the message. To hear (or to hearken) means to receive the Word of God in such a way that the hearer is disposed to obey.
When the Father sends His Word to us, He does not intend to burden us with obligations. He loves us, each and every one. Instead, He desires to provide the way to liberty, to bring forth prosperity of soul, and to draw us into greater intimacy with Him. "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" (Jer. 29:11). Trust His goodness to "appear" unto you this week
2. Corporate application: "Only in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel were, there was no hail" (Exodus 9:26).
The land of Goshen received no hail and was free from the plagues. This was miraculous because the atmospheric conditions and circumstances there were the same as the adjacent areas of Egypt. YHVH was ancient Israel's invisible shield, as He is also ours. "For thou Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass [surround] him as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12). Corporately or individually, the peace and joy of the righteous originates from our consciousness of YHVH's blessing being upon us. He loves us as we are. His favor fills our hearts with gladness, and gives us confidence. The "shield" referred to in the psalm was the Tsinnah, which was a long, broad shield that protected the whole body of a warrior. The point is that YHVH's favor, which entirely encompasses the righteous, safeguards us against destruction and mortal harm from all enemies and dangers.
Believers--redeemed, returning, and in-grafted Israelites--will face corporate and personal challenges and spiritual warfare in these last days. After being baptized in the Jordan, Yeshua Himself began His ministry with a forty day spiritual battle. It is written, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit [The Son was dependent upon the Holy Spirit while on earth.] in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by the devil" (Luke 4:2). He said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you" (John15:18).
Paul faced many troubles and trials, as did many of the saints in the Apostolic Era, in Ephesus. "But the Jews, becoming jealous [of Paul] and taking along some wicked men...formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason...the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night..." (Acts 17:5-10). In the early Church/Ecclesia period Paul had to battle with principalities and rulers over unenlightened nations, hypocrisy, false religion, bigotry, superficiality, spiritual delusion, enemies of the Torah, rejecters of Messiah, and more.
Everywhere Paul traveled he preached a Gospel that: (a) was rooted in the Torah and Old Testament, (b) set forth the redemption of Yeshua of Nazareth as their substance and fulfillment, (c) was relevant and suited to Jews and Greeks alike, and summoned women to service, (d) was anointed and endorsed by the power of the Holy Spirit, (e) met with resistance in every place he ministered, and (f) turned the world upside down. It's obvious Paul knew something about perseverance and spiritual warfare from which believers who are returning to their spiritual heritage can learn.
For those of us who follow Messiah and want protection in the latter days, similar to the protection the Israelites enjoyed in Goshen, Paul wrote instructions in Ephesians 6:13-18. His words must be heeded by the whole Body of Messiah, even everyone today who wants to experience spiritual growth, recover his/her Hebraic heritage, and prosper in an unsteady, antagonistic, spiritually darkening world. Challenges and opposition will arise and attempt to face down the holy ambitions of the saints, but we can and will overcome them.
"Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (Eph. 6:13), and wait for Him to appear, to manifest His power and glory through the Spirit. Read verses 13 through 18. Each of us must be armored and equipped to daily take the field. Our defensive equipment includes the Helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the feet shod with the preparedness of the Gospel of peace, and the shield of faith (Goshen). Our offensive weaponry includes first, the Word of God. This is the Sword of the Spirit because He inspired it and gives it sharp edges and penetrating power. The second offensive weapon is prayer, even prayer in the Spirit. This passage in Ephesians is actually a vivid description of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 91), and the equivalent of abiding in Messiah (John 15).
When we are dressed in our full armor, we are clothed with Yeshua, who is our Refuge and Defense. Further, we have as our Companion His Holy Spirit. Our enemy is Satan, but he is defeated. Our assurance is victory. Therefore, we can confidently declare,"No weapon formed against you shall prosper..." (Isa. 54:17). All week, keep His promises in mind and declare them aloud when such an exertion is needed. And remember, with regard to the plagues He has said, "...give earnest heed to the voice of YHVH...I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, YHVH, am your Healer" (Ex. 15:26). Amen!
Pray: "Let me see thy glory." His glory is in you by the Holy Spirit. Pray and believe for His presence to rise up and envelope your soul with His goodness, and the revelation of His heart. You are a child of the Most High and He desires you to experience intimate spiritual communion with Him.
Next week: Parsha Bo ("Come"). Torah portion: Exodus [Shemot] 10:1-13:16.
Remember. Growth for spiritual strength takes "lifting." Be sure to complete your answers and exercises. They represent the "weights" that the Holy Spirit will use to equip you with a strong, well-proportioned, balanced, spiritual physique of Spirit and Truth.
Weekly references generally include, but are not limited to, the following: Kehot Chumash; Spirit-Filled Life Bible; Pulpit Commentary, H. Spence and J. Exell; Torah Club; Restoration Scriptures; Chumash, Stone Edition; Old Testament Survey, K. Conner; Torah, A Modern Commentary, W. G. Plaut; Fodor's Exploring Israel, A Sanger; Judaism 101 Torah; The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, AMG Publishers; Torah Insights, R. Fischer; Internet Sites.
Footnotes: 1. Pulpit Commentary, Eerdsman, Vol. 1, Genesis-Exodus, pg. 220. 2. The Hebrew-Greek Bible, Exodus, pg. 85. 3. Pulpit Commentary, Eerdsman, Vol. 5, 1 and 2 Kings, pg.174. 4. Ibid, pg. 155.
