Parashat
Shemot
Exodus/Shemos
1:1 –
6:1
Please
Pray this prayer
before reading
In the name of Yahushua
Our
Messiyah,
I
pray for the Spirit of Understanding
The
Spirit of Knowledge and
The Spirit of Wisdom
As
I read through this Parasha
Parashat Shemot is the thirteen portions
of the Torah cycle and the first in Exodus. The word Shemot means name, the names of those who came out of
Egypt “Misrayem.” The book of Exodus begins with the conjunction “and”
to help us relate to the book of Genesis where Jacob’s family began the process
of exile by descending to Egypt, and here the narrative of the exile is
developed, until it ends with the blaze of miracles that culminated in the
exodus and finally the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.
In this Parashat the Torah tells us that
baby Moses was taken from the Nile and into the house of Pharaoh, where he was
raised by Royalty. Many years later after a series of event which led Moses to
choose between YAHVEH’S people and Egypt he choose to defend the right of the
children of Yisrael, he had to flee to Midian for his life.
The narrative tells us that one day
while tending his father-in-law flock in the wilderness, Moses saw a forest
fire on a near by hill and he went to investigate. As he drew close to the
burning bush, the CREATOR revealed HIMSELF to Moses.
Although Moses decision to investigate
the strange enigma of the insignificant burning bush, given the more dramatic
occurrence to come, it is a crucially important moment for Moses. If Moses had not investigate he would have
never encounter the CREATOR. His action also reveals the status of Moses
spiritual awareness that nothing comes into our lives by accident, that
everything that happen to a believer comes as a sign from the CREATOR.
When Moses observes the burning bush he
knew it had a special meaning, so he went to see the manifestation. How many of
us would have responded if we saw something out of the ordinary? Most of us
would have decided right then and there that is was much to do about nothing
and continue on our merry way.
Why the truth is not as clear to us as
it was to Moses? The answer is that our spiritual consciousness has not yet
reached the spiritual level where we truly understand that there are no
coincident! Because we do not see the CREATOR in everything, the CREATOR’S
messages are not revealed to us.
This Parashat revealed an insight into
the spiritual consciousness of a Mature Believer such as Moses, ant it serves
as a valuable reminder of just how often we have miss the opportunity in life
when we choose to ignore the occurrence of things in the natural. Imagine just
how different Moses life would have turned out if he had ignored this simple
manifestation.
After arriving at the Burning Bush, the
CREATOR appears to Moses and informed him that he was chosen to tell the
Yisraelites that their suffering will soon come to and end, for he was chosen
to lead the Children of Yisrael out of Egypt.
Moses never doubts that it is YAHVEH
speaking to him; he never considers that he might be suffering hallucinations
from the heat. Moses recognizes the CREATOR, and he knew how important YAHVEH’S
message to the Yisraelites would be. Yet Moses continues to find reason after
reason why he cannot go to Pharaoh.
Many a believer used various reasons why
we place limits on what we can accomplish, on how much we can help people. When
our experience and our preconceptions do not match up with the CREATOR, we allow
doubt to cloud our minds. When we see ourselves giving in to doubt we can
remind ourselves of the portion of Shemot. We can bring Moses to mind and
benefit from his mistakes and from the miracle of freedom that he was able to
bring to his people.
Genesis listed the names of all those
who came to Egypt, include Jacob’s grandchildren, whereas Shemot lists only his
sons. In the context of resisting the corruptive atmosphere of Egypt and
preserving the moral and spiritual grandeur of Jacob’s family, his sons were
equal to the task.
Because they kept the nation of Yisrael
on the high level set be Jacob. Slavery did not begin as long as they were
alive. His grandchildren, however, were not as righteous; they like us were not
able to maintain the same level of spiritually greatness. Never the less, the
promise made to Jacob had to be fulfilled. So their merit was great enough to
prevent the onset of total enslavement as long as they were alive.
The
name, the Shem, of the tribal ancestors had been mentioned in their lifetimes
and they are repeated here as they pass from the scene, as one often repeats
something that is dear to them. They are likened to the stars, which YAHVEH
brings out and brings in by number and by name, Isaiyah 40:26. Lift up your
eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them
all by names by the greatness of his might, for that HE is strong in power; not one faileth.
He counts and
enumerates when they come out and again when they are gathered in. This shows
that the forefathers, like the stars, are precious to ABBA YAHVEH. The twelve
tribes are compared to stars because they correspond to the twelve
constellations, in that both the tribes and the constellations are composed of
many individual units that complement one another. Just like the combination of
stars forms the constellation, so too the combination of people forms a tribe
and the combination of tribes creates the nation.
Jacob was like the
sun and his sons like the stars; when the sun is out the stars are not visible.
When the sun is set like Jacob, the stars his sons begin to shine. When the sun
is out, the stars are not visible, but when the sun sets, the stars take over
the sky. So too, after Jacob’s death, the tribal ancestors achieved great
importance, for the presence of their light in the increasing darkness of
Egypt. As long as they are conscious of their true purpose, they are only in
physical not spiritual exile.
As time passes this exile is about to be
concluded, as promise by EL YAHVEH. This exile like our lives, were condition
on who we believe. As long as the children of Yisrael like our selves obeyed
the Word of EL YAHVEH, they would receive a favorite status as Joseph and his
brother did, at the conclusion of Genesis it stipulated. As time progress,
however, the people would forget the purpose of being in Egypt, which is to
plunder Pharaoh. Therefore, they would become subjugated to slavery at the hand
of the Egyptians.
Joseph warned his brothers to remember
Genesis 50:24 and the purpose of being in Egypt. Like so many time in
Scripture, we wander away from the intended goal of Creation, and become
subjugated to slavery to the world system. However, because of the promise EL
YAHVEH made to Jacob, HE had to fulfill it. Therefore EL YAHVEH rose up a
redeemer to carry out this task. And now the rest of the story!
Exo 1:1
And
these are the names”Shem” of the children of Yisra’ĕl who came to Mitsrayim
with Yaʽaqoḇ, each one with his household: - In this verse the term “who came,” this is written in the present tense, which suggest that
they were arriving only now. This also suggests that a new era began with the
passing of Joseph, whose death is reported at the end of Genesis. As long as Joseph was alive, the Egyptian
treated the children of Yisrael with great respect, but as soon as Joseph was
gone, their attitude changed, and it was as if the nation was now coming to
Egypt.
Today,
unless we believe in Messiyah Yahushua, we have not influence with the world.
The Messiyahnic assembly in which I am apart of, is such an assembly.
Exo 1:2 Re’uḇĕn, Shimʽon, Lĕwi, and Yehuḏah;
Exo 1:3 Yissasḵar,
Zeḇulun, and Binyamin;
Exo 1:4 Dan and Naphtali, Gaḏ and Ashĕr.
Exo 1:5 And all those who were descendants of Yaʽaqoḇ were
seventy beings, as Yosĕph was already in Mitsrayim. – To stop any
fighting over who EL YAHVEH is talking about, He wrote here that Joseph was
already in Egypt. This cannot be some other place, but the place where Joseph
was the viceroy.
Exo 1:6 And Yosĕph died, and all his brothers, and
all that generation. – The generation that feared EL
YAHVEH, with all there short comings, died off and a new generation who did not
had the same fear was now in control. In the narrative of Joseph we see a great man going through
the process of being created into a perfect son. Now that generation had died
off, and a new generation of Yisraelites were going through the same process of
Sanctification.
Exo 1:7 And the children of Yisra’ĕl bore fruit and increased very
much, multiplied and became very strong, and the land was filled with them. – Curse and
Blessing flows the same, to the third and sometime forth generation. The
Blessing of Jacob and Joseph stayed with the children of Yisrael generations
after the death of both Jacob and Joseph. Prosperity was the norm, as they
develop into a mighty nation. This is a Torah Principle worth remembering. As
long as the descendant of Jacob maintains the same spiritual level with ABBA
YAHVEH they would maintain the same favorite status in Egypt.
Exo 1:8 Then a
new sovereign arose over Mitsrayim, who did not know Yosĕph,
- A new King who did not knew Joseph; one who did not have the same
spiritual inclination to Joseph: one who had the spirit of fear toward the Children
of Yisrael, came into power. We must remember that the way we relate to people
is by the Spirit that we radiate toward them. EL YAHVEH can give us a favorable
spirit even to the devil him self, or an unfavorable spirit even with a fellow
believer. I believe that this generation was the one who would be the one that
was taken out of Egypt, since they were the one, the circumstance that warrant
the plague had to be instituted. In the process of implementing the process
certain people had to experience certain hardship.
Exo 1:9 and he said to his people, “See, the people of the
children of Yisra’ĕl are more and stronger than we, - The world
system will never tell us the truth, here we see the reason Pharaoh gave, they
are more and stronger than us. That is the spirit of fear that came up on him
against the Children of Yisrael. As believers we must bring our mind inline
with Torah, that all our taught to be one with our Creator.
The Hebrew people were supposed to follow Torah and
they would have been a ruler like Joseph on the throne at all times. I believe
that, if they had maintained the same level of spirituality, that Joseph
implemented, they would not have had to borrow money when they finally depart
from Egypt. The riches of Egypt would have been in their hand at all times.
Exo 1:10 come, let us act wisely towards them, lest they increase,
and it shall be when fighting befalls us, that they shall join our enemies and
fight against us, and shall go up out of the land.” - The spirit of
fear is a powerful spirit; it will bend the mind in what ever way it wants.
Believers who operate under the spirit of fear should remember that we were not
given this spirit of fear but of a sound mind, Rom 8:15. It was not a military
fear that was against Egypt, it was financial fear. However, it was military
action that was the motive used by Egypt. The same became true again in World
War II in Germany.
Exo 1:11 So they set slave-masters over them to
afflict them with their burdens, and they built for Pharaoh supply cities,
Pithom and Raʽamses. – When we as believer depart from
the Spiritual narrow road we have to walk and embrace the broad and winding
road of Egypt. We will find along that broad, several slave masters. These
slave masters are to remind us from where we have departed. Such slave-masters
are such things as: substance abuses, depression, and criminal activities. As
Pharaoh build supply cities for the children of Yisrael, the Nazi build
ghettos.
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they increased
and grew, and they were in dread of the children of Yisra’ĕl. – The
blessing of Jacob and Joseph were still on them. I will almost guarantee that
there was a remnant among the Children of Yisrael who were still practicing
Torah, who had not gone away from the Promise of EL YAHVEH. There were at least
two among them, as we saw with Abraham and Lot. If there were two in any one of
the cities, it would not be destroyed.
Exo 1:13 And the Mitsrites made the children of Yisra’ĕl serve with
harshness, - When we as believers continue
along the same path which is contrary to EL YAHVEH Will; He will increase the
level of harshness in order to bring us back to the straight and narrow path.
This harshness is never meant to destroy us, just for us to realize that we are
on the wrong path.
Exo 1:14 and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in
mortar, and in brick, and in all kinds of work in the field, all their work
which they made them do was with harshness. – The Children
of Yisrael who were suppose to be the example of Torah obedience to the World
were now been subjugated to the purpose of the world; to build cities and large
monument to it kings. We were not Created to build this world system; we were
created in the Image of EL YAHVEH distinct to rule and Reign with Him,
Revelation 3:21. Cain when he left the Garden went and build a city.
Exo 1:15 Then the sovereign of Mitsrayim spoke to the Heḇrew
midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puʽah, - The king of
Egypt is the anti-Messiyah. When he discovered that his hard labor did not stem
the flow of the prosperity of the Children of Yisrael, he turn to another;
Abortion. Lets observe the next verse carefully.
Exo 1:16 and he said, “When you deliver the Heḇrew women, and see
them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death, but
if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” – Who did the
king of Egypt target, none else but the male children. The man is the spiritual
head of the family; if he were destroyed then the weaker women would comply
easily with the wishes of Pharaoh. Just promise a woman security and you will get her to do
almost anything you want.
Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared Elohim, and did not do as the
sovereign of Mitsrayim commanded them, and kept the male children alive. – As in the
Book of Ruth, Ester was born for a time just like this. Several Ester like
character name Shiphrah and Puah were called to step up to the plate and bat
for Yisrael. These were women of good character; this does mean that EL YAHVEH
will also used women to be a form of savior to Yisrael.
Exo 1:18 So the sovereign of Mitsrayim called for the midwives and
said to them, “Why have you done this, and kept the male children alive?” - Women as always been the tool that the
evil one uses to destroy men. It was Eve who causes Adam to fail, and it was
Delilah who causes the strongest man to be destroyed. However, it was four
women that Jacob used to fulfill YAHVEH desires for him.
Exo 1:19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Heḇrew
women are not like the Mitsrite women. For they are lively and give birth
before the midwives come to them.” – Understandably,
the midwives would not tell Pharaoh that they had defied him. Instead, they
said that the Hebrew women were so knowledgeable that they gave birth
unassisted before the midwives arrived. All that was left for the midwives to
do was to assist after the birth, when it was impossible to kill the male child
without arousing suspicion.
Exo 1:20 So Elohim was good to the midwives, and the people
increased and became very numerous. – When EL YAHVEH see that a person
desires to serve Him at great personal expense, He enable them to succeed,
therefore enabling him to perform even more good deeds, for which He deserves
to be rewarded. When anyone assists in the development of Yisrael, EL YAHVEH
chosen people, there will always be a blessing. I will bless those who bless
you and curse those who curse you. Notice also how many children the
Yisraelites women had, it was not the 2.5 as today women had. It is only
righteous people should have children, the rest is just creating fire wood for
the judgment.
Exo 1:21 And it came to be, because the midwives feared Elohim,
that He provided households for them. - I believe
that the mix multitude that came out with the Exodus were descendant of these
midwives, who were later admitted as apart of Yisrael. Yes I believe that they
also got physical house, but the most significant house was admittance in the
House of Yisrael.
Exo 1:22 And Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Throw every
son who is born into the river, and keep alive every daughter.” – This may well
be true. Pharaoh’s astrologers pinpointed the time that the savior of the
Hebrew people would be born; he saw that his down fall would be through water.
Consequently, pharaoh ordered all male children to be thrown into the Nile
River the astrologers saw well. Moses was born at that time to a Hebrew family
and was raised in Pharaoh’s house by an Ester type personality.
Chapter 2
This brief and concise chapter is a textbook on the
hidden workings of EL YAHVEH’s providence and how man’s most intelligent
analyses fall short of comprehending, and surely thwarting, the Divine
Sovereign Will. Amram and Jochebed the parents of Moses and Miraham and Aaron,
who could have been one of the spiritual remnant of Yisrael, produces a
beautiful child.
Exo 2:1 And a man of the
house of Lĕwi went and take a daughter of Lĕwi as wife. – Here is
another Torah Principle being displayed, do not be unequally yoke. Levi means a
heart of EL YAHVEH, those who have a heart for Torah. Not those who gave lip
service, with no substance behind it. He chooses a wife from among his own people. They did not get
married, it is almost certain that he paid the bride price.
Exo 2:2 And the woman
conceived and bore a son. And she saw that he was a lovely child, and she hid
him three months. - Next to El Yahushua this was a
divinely ordain conception. How then could the child be describe as a lovely
Child. The Ruach (The Spirit) was already upon him from day one.
Exo 2:3 And when she could hide him no longer, she took an ark of
wicker for him, and coated it with tar and pitch, and put the child in it, and
laid it in the reeds by the edge of the river. - There is
always something that every person must do in order to experience miracles. We
must take the first step; our Creator will send His Angels to help us when we
cannot take another step in the natural. She hid Moses for a while, when that
was no longer possible she conceives another plan that entails building an Ark.
The very Nile, which was ordained by Pharaoh to be
the instrument of death, became the very source of his deliverance. EL YAHVEH
will use what the enemy design for bad for our deliverance. Remember the Book
of Ruth, and Hamon.
Exo 2:4 And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be
done to him. – Every one of us has a guiding angels
who look over us, to see if EL YAHVEH Sovereign Will is being carried out. The
source of Moses protection was his older sister, reminiscence of a guardian
angel.
Exo 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at
the river, and her young women were walking by the river-side. And when she saw
the ark among the reeds, she sent her female servant to get it, - Again, an
Ester type personality came to the rescue, she was also born for a time just as
this. I believe that she did not have the same mind set as her father. Maybe
she was a hidden believer, and could have been one of those mix multitude who
came out with the Children of Yisrael. However she was in the possession to be
beyond suspicion as one who harbors a fugitive. Who would dare question
Pharaoh’s daughter.
Exo 2:6 and opened it and saw the child, and see, the
baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the children
of the Heḇrews.” – On opening the basket, her spirit saw
what her father could not see, how spiritual beautiful this child was. Her
spiritual eyes, in particular the Spirit of Wisdom was already open to the
Sovereign Will of EL YAHVEH. She knew in her spirit what had to be done. This
Ester mentality is a Spirit of the Fear of YAHVEH. Isaiyah 11:2.
Exo 2:7 And his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter,
“Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Heḇrew women to nurse the child
for you?” – Merriam in the Spirit of EL YAHVEH said to Pharaoh’s daughter, shall
I go and find a nurse to nurse the child for you.
Exo 2:8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” And
the girl went and called the child’s mother. – It is my belief that these
couple of statements made by Pharaoh’s daughter and Miriam was Divinely
inspired. They were only the mouthpieces through which the Sovereign Word came.
Lord make me Your humbly servant a mouth piece for Your Sovereign Word and
Will.
Exo 2:9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take
this child away and nurse him for me, then I shall pay your wages.” So the
woman took the child and nursed him. – The blessing? Moses mother was given
the opportunity to nurse her own child and get paid for it. Is anything too
hard for EL YAHVEH? If only those who call them self by His name would get this
principle, all would be well in Christendom.
Exo 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him to
Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Mosheh,
saying, “Because I have drawn him out of the water.” - Pharaoh’s
daughter led by the Holy Spirit gave the name Mosheh (Moses) which means that
he will draw people out of the Water; as the future giver of the Torah, he will
be instrumental in giving the uncompromising Written Word to the people.
Exo 2:11 And in those days it came to be, when Mosheh was grown,
that he went out to his brothers and looked at their burdens. And he saw a
Mitsrite beating a Heḇrew, one of his brothers. – A part of
Moses Divine training start from day one. He was raised in a Levities home as a
Torah observant child. Now we see that Torah describe his childhood. Moses was
raised in the splendor of anti Semitism of the Egyptian culture; however he
remains the son of a Levite. The early training by his biological parents had
instilled in him certain Torah principle his parents had taught him. His parent
had him for the earlier part of his life, they succeeded in imbuing in him the
love for EL YAHVEH, and I believe the purpose they were in Egypt. Despite his
royal upbringing, he remains a Hebrew. As he grew in favor with EL YAHVEH, he
displayed the compassion for the downtrodden, a vital character trait for any
leader.
Exo 2:12 So he turned this way and that way, and when he saw no
one, he smote the Mitsrite and hid him in the sand. – Moses even
though his observation was correct, he chose to take things in his own hands.
This verse did not say he prayed before acting. He acted then maybe he prayed.
This was an identification of a character trait that needs some adjustment
before he could be called upon to do what he was destined to be.
Exo 2:13 And he went out the second day and saw two Heḇrew men
fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why do you smite your
neighbour?” – This incident
reveal different situation that was prevalent in Yisrael at that time. Because
of the spiritual demise of the people there was infighting among themselves.
They had forgotten the purpose of been in Egypt, and everyone was for
themselves. The two Hebrew men, who were fighting, should never happen.
The fruit of the spirit of the people came out when
the two brothers were fighting; the same is true in an assembly when so-called
believers in the group only see themselves and not the big picture as Moses
obviously did.
Exo 2:14 And he said, “Who made you a head and a judge
over us? Do you intend to slay me as you slew the Mitsrite?” And Mosheh feared
and said, “Truly, the matter is known!” – In the plain sense Moses
action was no longer a secret. Verse 12 says that no one was watching, could it
be that this none refers to No Egyptian was looking. How could the man have
said do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? This obviously creates
a spirit of fear in Moses that causes him to become fearful.
Exo 2:15 And Pharaoh heard of this matter, and he
sought to kill Mosheh. But Mosheh fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in
the land of Miḏyan. And he sat down by a well. – The Spirit
of fear can be used by EL YAHVEH to create a circumstance to produce the
necessary spiritual change in an individual. The fact that Pharaoh heard about
the incident was also part of the Sovereign Will of EL YAHVEH. This was a test
for Pharaoh as well as it was design by the Creator of all things, to bring
Moses into the next realm of his Spiritual development. Moses hah just finished
the first 40 years of his life. He was tested to see if he had developed the
love he required for his people and he did.
Lets meet the character that would be instrumental
in the next 40 years of his spiritual development.
Exo 2:16 And the priest of Miḏyan had seven daughters. And they
came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock, - In every
walk of life, the people we experience are sent to help us in our development.
They are like sandpaper, some are course, some are medium, and some are for
fine-tuning. Yet they are all essential for the refining process we must all go
thought before we can become the vessels of honor in the Master Hand.
Notice that the seven daughters were all ministers
of the Word, they brought their flocks to the watering hole everyday like all
good shepherdess should.
Exo 2:17 but the shepherds came and drove them away. Then Mosheh
stood up and came to their rescue, and watered their flock. – Lets see
how they meet. The other shepherd (ministers) came and drove them away from the
watering hole. As a man of fair play Moses stood up and say this is not right.
If Moses had not exercise this trait he would not have meet the shepherds. Act
of kindness is not an option; it is a requirement for every believer to
display. We never know when the next level of our spiritual development will
manifest it self, if we fail to exercise what we already know.
Exo 2:18 And they came to Reʽuw’ĕl their father, and he said, “How
is it that you have come so soon today?” – Here is the consequence of his
action. The Father of the Shepherdess asks how come you are home so early?
Exo 2:19 And they said, “A Mitsrite rescued us from the hand of the
shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.” – They reply
a Egyptian help us. Kindness is a character trait, there is always a reward.
Exo 2:20 And he said to his daughters, “And where is
he? Why did you leave the man? Call him and let him eat bread.” – it is also
interesting that these were not Hebrews; they were probably descendant of Esau.
Yet they knew enough Torah to repay kindness with kindness. How many of us have
failed in our spiritual progress because we fail to reward kindness when we
have an opportunity to. The character of Jethro was now been manifested. It is
not right that you should accept a substantial favor from a stranger without
showing him the courtesy of an invitation to our home.
Exo 2:21 And Mosheh agreed to dwell with the man, and he gave
Tsipporah his daughter to Mosheh. – One good deed requires another.
Moses agrees to live in the land with Jethro, because Moses saw the godly
kindness at come only from a pure heart. What will people see when they see us.
And Jethro gave one of his daughters to mosses as a wife.
Exo 2:22 And she bore him a son, and he called his
name Gĕreshom, for he said, “I have become a sojourner in a foreign land.” - The road to
our spiritual Canaan is always through a foreign land. This foreign land, is
only a temporary dwelling place, it should never become our permanent dwelling.
Exo 2:23 And it came to be after these many days that
the sovereign of Mitsrayim died. And the children of Yisra’ĕl groaned because
of the slavery, and they cried out. And their cry came up to Elohim because of
the slavery. – In the process of time the king of Egypt died and
all memories of Moses crime pass away with him. In the meantime the children of
Yisrael grown under the hard slave labor of the Egyptian, and they cried out
with one voice. What is the breaking point for you to cry out to EL YAHVEH for
help? Is it when we are in behind bars, when the sound of that iron door slams
shut over our intoxicated spirit? What does it take? Our Creator do not which
that any should perish, but that all should come to a saving grace, so that He
can start the process of spiritual development.
Exo 2:24 And Elohim heard their groaning, and Elohim
remembered His covenant with Aḇraham, with Yitsḥaq, and with Yaʽaqoḇ. -
EL YAHVEH did not forget, there was something that triggers His action,
something that causes Him to act in a way to our struggle. He knows that as a
people we are not capable of helping our self. Therefore he had to send us a Savior
to bargain for the release of those who are in prison to the world system.
Exo 2:25 And
Elohim looked on the children of Yisra’ĕl, and Elohim knew! – It is
reassuring to know we have a Elohim who is well aware with out plight, and who
knew exactly how to act to redeemed us from the gates of sin and death.
Chapter 3
Moses spent the next 40 years as the shepherd of his
father-inn-law’s sheep, and this experience became the proving ground for him
as a future shepherd of the children of Yisrael. King David too, developed his
leadership skill, by showed his mettle as a shepherd, the occupation of such
righteous people as Abel, Jacob’s sons, the Patriarchs. This is where integrity
as a leader is developed; Moses displayed his honesty as a shepherd by taking
the sheep to the mountain where he meets EL YAHVEH face to face.
It is there in the wilderness that EL YAHVEH
appeared to Moses for the first time, to appoint him leader of Yisrael, the
position that, in his humility, Moses strenuously resisted until EL YAHVEH
commanded him to comply.
The Torah tells us that the infant Moses was taken
from the Nile River into the house of Pharaoh, where he was raised by the royal
family, as part of his future role as leader of Yisrael. Many years later,
Moses was forced to flee to Midian where he became a shepherd, and married the
daughter of his boss the high priest of Midian. One day, while tending the
flock of sheep in the wilderness, Moses saw a burning Bush on the mountain,
when he draw near the bush, ABBA YAHVEH revealed to him.
Exo 3:1 And Mosheh was shepherding the flock of Yithro
his father-in-law, the priest of Miḏyan. And he led the flock to the back of
the wilderness, and came to Ḥorĕḇ, the mountain of Elohim. - This was
Mount Sinai, which would become known as the mountain of EL YAHVEH in the
future, when it became the site where the Torah was given. The general area
where the mountain was located was Horeb.
The Torah describes Moses’ vision in three
different ways: a fire, an angel, and as EL YAHVEH. Because this was Moses’ first
prophecy dream, EL YAHVEH had to expose it to him gradually, like someone in a
dark room, whose eyes cannot tolerate an immediate expose to bright light.
First Moses was shown a fire that was strange because it did not consume the
bush. This excited Moses curiosity to investigate further; something he would
not have done if he had realized that it was a Holy Place.
Then it was revealed to him as an angel in the
fire. Once Moses was accustomed to this new phenomenon, he was given the vision
of EL YAHVEH Himself.
EL YAHVEH identifies Himself as the El of Amram,
the El of Abraham, the El of Isaac, and the El of Jacob.
In the three places YAHVEH reveals Himself to Moses
He is called YAHVEH, the Name of Mercy, to show that His primary intention is
to save Yisrael in a historic demonstration of His Divine Mercy.
Exo 3:2 And the Messenger of יהוה appeared to him
in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. And he looked and saw the bush
burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. – The vision of the burning bush was symbolic of
the Egyptian exile; He joins in their suffering, as it were. The bush itself,
representing Yisrael, it would not be allow to be consumed by the present
circumstance.
Exo 3:3 And Mosheh said, “Let me turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the
bush does not burn.” - What is the hock
that draws us close to EL YAHVEH presence? What is the means by which our
attention is drawn to a higher revelation of EL YAHVEH in our lives? What is
the place when we reach it we will hear the Voice of EL YAHVEH? We will read
more about this when we study the Ark of the Covenant.
Exo 3:4 And יהוה saw that he turned aside to see, and Elohim
called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Mosheh! Mosheh!” And he
said, “Here I am.” - The spiritual level that Moses
had reach allows him to readily accept the Word of EL YAHVEH, even if he did
not know who it was. He said here I am, ready, and will to do what I am ask.
This is the position of total submission.
Although Moses’ decision to
investigate the burning bush seems insignificant, given the more dramatic parts
of this story, it is a crucially important moment, for Moses would not have
encountered the CREATOR, had he not investigated the peculiar fire in the
distance. This action also reveals the state of Moses’ consciousness, his
awareness that nothing comes into our lives by accident, that everything that
comes to our attention contains a sign from the CREATOR.
So when Moses spotted the
burning bush on the mountain, he knew it had special meaning: something would
be revealed to him there, so he turn to investigate.
How many of us would respond
this way if we see a strange phenomenon in the distance? Most of us would
decide that it had nothing to do with us, and we would continue doing what we
are doing.
Why is this truth as clear to
us as it is to Moses? The answer is that our consciousness has not yet reached
the spiritual level, where we truly understand that there are no coincidences.
Because we do not see the CREATOR in everything, the creator’s messages are not
always revealed to us.
This insight into the
consciousness of Moses serves as a valuable reminder of just how often we have
missing opportunities in life when we choose to ignore things happening around
us, when we just pass them by. Imagine how different things might have been if
Moses had thought, it is just another forest fire, and keep walking.
Exo 3:5 And He said, “Do not come near here. Take your sandals off your feet, for
the place on which you are standing is set-apart ground.” – in a test to see if Moses was totally sold out in obedience, He was
told do not come any closer. Eve failed this test! The greatest thing that ever
happen to me and I am being told not to come any closer. I have been waiting 80
years for this day and I am been told do not come any further. I have been
searching all my life for the manifestation of the Shechinah Glory now it is
arrive and I must not come any closer. All my life I have been praying draw me
closer and you tell me do not come any closer. Ok! I wont!
Now take of your shoe from off
your feet for the place where you stand is Kadosh ground. Really! Hurriedly
Moses complies, What Else Master? The removal of one shoe represent that Moses
was to give himself up unreservedly, and without any impediment between himself
and the Holy Ground where he now stood. Moses was at the place spiritually
where EL YAHVEH View is Moses view.
Exo 3:6 And He said, “I am the Elohim of your
father, the Elohim of Aḇraham, the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of
Yaʽaqoḇ.” And Mosheh hid his face, for he was afraid to look at Elohim. - EL YAHVEH with that Strong Voice of Authority,
at the same time a reassuring Still Voice, that seems to be coming from
everywhere at once. I am the Elohim of your Father, of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. The moment that every person who has ever been born of a woman, should
experience! That all Powerful Voice, yet reassuring Voice, broth a grateful
Moses to his knee, not that he was afraid, but in total reverence of been able
to be in such an Illustrious Company. This is the essence of our redemptive
walk. It cannot get any better than this!
Exo 3:7 And יהוה said, “I have
indeed seen the oppression of My people who are in Mitsrayim, and have heard
their cry because of their slave-drivers, for I know their sorrows. – A part from the other consideration, EL YAHVEH
responds to the despairing outcry of the downtrodden. After having said that,
He knew what they were going through. Knowledge is the climax of seeing and
hearing for if one do not understand and draw a accurate spiritual conclusion
of what he has seen and heard, his perceptions are of no value.
Exo 3:8 “And I have come down to deliver them from the hand of the Mitsrites, and
to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing
with milk and honey, to the place of the Kenaʽanites and the Ḥittites and the
Amorites and the Perizzites and the Ḥiwwites and the Yeḇusites. – EL YAHVEH descended to Mount Sinai the epitome
of spiritual maturity to reveal Himself to Moses, in order to start the process
of redemption. For EL YAHVEH to communicate with an immoral Pharaoh is an
unseemly descent, but He is prepared to do so in order to rescue Yisrael from
servitude.
The promise I will take the
redeem community to a good and spacious land is a metaphor. It means that the
land is good and in that the climate is pleasant and the country is filled with
desirable features, and it is spacious in that the nation will have adequate
living space. A land with such advantage will produce healthy livestock that
will give abundant of milk, and fruits that will be rich and sweet as honey.
There were seven Canaanite nations, but these verses only identify six. The
seventh was Girgashites.
Exo 3:9 “And now, see, the cry of the children of Yisra’ĕl has
come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Mitsrites
oppress them. – Something happen that causes
EL YAHVEH to react in this fashion. It was the cry of his people. This is also
another one of these principle you will hear me speak of often. What cause EL
YAHVEH to respond? It is always the cry of His people.
Exo 3:10 “And now, go, I am sending you to
Pharaoh, to bring My people, the children of Yisra’ĕl, out of Mitsrayim.” – At this point in time Moses was a sent one, a Malachem, an Apostle.
The time had come and Moses is the redeemer. EL YAHVEH assured him that he would
succeed, despite the apparent hopelessness of one man prevailing against the
greatest power in the world.
It seems strange, even
inconceivable that Moses would refuse to obey EL YAHVEH’s explicit command.
Even if he was sure in his own mind if we would be successful, how could he
substitute His judgment for EL YAHVEH’s?
I believe that Moses taught
that he was the one who was to go and do this task by himself. If this is so,
he is justified in refusing. However of Creator will always give us the choice,
should I go under my own power or should I wait for the Authority be given to
me.
Many today, when they get a
revelation they run off in fanaticism to fulfilled EL YAHVEH will and do not
realize that there must be a preparation time.
Exo 3:11 And Mosheh said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that
I should bring the children of Yisra’ĕl out of Mitsrayim?” - The humbleness of Moses was learn in forty years
of leading sheep up and down the mountains, in contrast to his eagerness he had
in Egypt, when he killed a man in his zeal. Moses was now another person! How
can I who am so unqualified, influence Pharaoh? You want me to do what? To led
those stiff neck people out of Egypt?
When Moses was called from the
Burning Bush to go to Egypt to demand the release of the Hebrew slaves, Moses
said to יהוה, who am I that I should go down to Pharaoh? What
Moses was saying is: who is this Anochi, who is going to confront Pharaoh?
Moses knew about the office of EL SHADDAI, the El
of his ancestors, He was about to meet יהוה.
But he did not know about Anochi. He did not know the fullness of the
godwithin. He did not know the potential of Anochi, the godwithin. It was this
Anochi that יהוה was about to establish in Moses.
At the very same time, Moses
asks, Who am I to go down to Pharaoh, who is mature enough to go? Moses was
about to be assured that the Anochi, the godwithin was worthy of the task. It
was at this point that the Anochi, the godwithin Moses, would merge with that
of the CREATOR, the full essence of יהוה
would be the essence of Moses.
Tradition teaches that the
Torah was given by the mouth of יהוה through the hands of
Moses. Throughout the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of their
history, and of all the principles given by יהוה.
As Moses address the people, over and over again, the Anochi, the godwithin him
speaks in his voice.
Exo 3:12 And He said, “Because I am with you. And this is to you the sign that I
have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Mitsrayim, you are to
serve Elohim on this mountain.” – Two question was answered in this verse: Moses need not fear Pharaoh
because EL YAHVEH will be with Him at all time. The second answer is an answer
for all times. All true leaders who are sent by EL YAHVEH will bring their
people to the very place where they met EL YAHVEH for themselves. If more so
call Pastors had a Mt. Sinai experience, more people would have come to
maturity. I child shall led them and a woman shall rule over them. This child
spiritually is someone who has never reach maturity. There are three kinds of
believers: child, young man, and fathers. Fathers is the matures of the three,
the child is the most immature of the lot.
This teaches that we should
reward believers on the bases of their spiritual potential; all believers have
within themselves the capacity to grow, that will enable them to Hear the Word
of EL YAHVEH and to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, alone justify the
Exodus. Moses was told that where he was spiritual was the intended vision EL
YAHVEH had for the entire nation of Yisrael. The ability to see Him and talk to
Him Face to Face, and not be consumed by His presence.
Exo 3:13 And Mosheh said to Elohim, “See, when I come to the children of Yisra’ĕl
and say to them, ‘The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say
to me, ‘What is His Name?’ what shall I say to them?” – Obviously the Hebrew people
knew the various names of EL YAHVEH, therefore the question will come up what
name do you come under. EL YAHVEH has many names, each a represents an
Attribute of EL YAHVEH. These Attribute determine Name by which He is reveled.
When He displays mercy, He is called יהוה,
YAHVEH the Name that represents compassion When He exercise judgment, He is
called Elohim. When He exercise His Mastery over nature and performs hidden
miracles, He is called El SHADDAI.
Therefore Moses was saying
that one the Children of Yisrael accepted him as EL YAHVEH’s emissary, they
would want to know His Name or His Attribute being displayed.
Exo 3:14 And Elohim said to Mosheh, “I am that
which I am.”1 And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of
Yisra’ĕl, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” Footnote: 1The Heḇrew text
reads: ’eyeh ’asher ’eyeh, the word ’eyeh being derived from hayah which means
to be, to exist, but the Aramaic text here in
reads: ayah ashar ayah. This is not His Name, but it is an explanation
that leads up to the revelation of His Name in verse 15, namely: יהוה . – I shall Be As I Shall Be. This is in itself a Divine Name, as
implied, if we translate these three words they literally means “I will be with
them in this sorrow as I shall be with them in other sorrow.” The One who have
seen your sorrows have sent me.
When Moses asks the CREATOR to
identify HIMSELF this is the name with which YAHVEH replies. IT is commonly
translated as, “I am That I Am,” implying Eternity. I Was. I AM. I always will
be. I Am is the Elohim Presence.
Exo 3:15 And Elohim said further to Mosheh, “Thus you are to say
to the children of Yisra’ĕl, ‘יהוה Elohim of your
fathers, the Elohim of Aḇraham, the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of
Yaʽaqoḇ, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance
to all generations. ’ – After EL YAHVEH conveyed the unfamiliar Name of the previous verse, a
Name that was His response to the current plight of the Children of Yisrael, EL
YAHVEH instructed Moses to tell Yisrael that the Elohim Who was about to redeem
them was no different from the Elohim of their forefathers.
The significance of the two
different Names: I Shall Be in verse 14 and YAHVEH in this verse. EL YAHVEH was
conveying the message that He was with them even in their suffering, as He will
be with them forever.
Exo 3:16 “Go, and you shall gather the elders of Yisra’ĕl together, and say to
them, יהוה Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Aḇraham, of
Yitsḥaq, and of Yaʽaqoḇ, appeared to me, saying, “I have indeed visited you
and seen what is done to you in Mitsrayim; - Moses was now told to speak the elders of the people first. He is A
Elohim of order. He work with the establish structure to make things better.
Even though Moses was told to convey the message to every Hebrew, he could not do
it alone. There was a hierarchy that was to be establish, this was to be used
later when the organization of the people to travel would be required.
The fullness of the Promise
was at hand; it was time for the people to prepare themselves for plundering of
Egypt. The promises have been make the fulfillment was about to take place.
Exo 3:17 and I say: I am bringing you up out of the affliction of Mitsrayim to the
land of the Kenaʽanite and the Ḥittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and
the Ḥiwwite and the Yeḇusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ – In order to appreciate the Land of Yisrael, the people will have to
remember Egypt. In order to appreciate our wealth we have to know what poverty
felt like. In learning this vital lesson about Egypt, sometime we extend our
selves and absorbed thing that we are never supposed to learn. Affliction can
strengthen us as well as it can weaken some of us; however if we keep our eyes
on the goal, as they were been taught here, all would be well. The mentioning
of the land of milk and honey was a strategy given to the leadership to help
keep the people focus.
This is also essential in
ministry, keep the people focus on their ultimate objective, the obstacle along
the way will become secondary.
Exo 3:18 “And they shall listen to your voice.
And you shall come, you and the elders of Yisra’ĕl, to the sovereign of
Mitsrayim, and you shall say to him, יהוה Elohim of the Heḇrews has met with us. And
now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness to slaughter to יהוה our Elohim.’ – EL YAHVEH assured Moses that the spiritually
more mature elders would heed his voice, they would be as one voice when Moses
stands before Pharaoh. EL YAHVEH spared no small detail, even to the very words
that was to be spoken. This was the start of a spiritual onslaught against the
gods of Egypt. The air campaign was about to start.
Exo 3:19 “But I know that the sovereign of Mitsrayim is not going to let you go,
not even by a strong hand. – In every negotiation there must be a starting point. EL YAHVEH was
giving Egypt and Pharaoh an opportunity to turn Egypt into the Promise land if
they would only repent and accept Him as Lord and Savor.
EL YAHVEH does not take
pleasure in seeing any one go to a spiritual death. He will always give us a
chance to repent, even though He knew that they would not repent. His Justice
demands that He give everyone a chance before judgment is served. This last
earthquake in Haiti is the same thing, how many have refused the word spoken by
the many missions trip to that country. Unless the Word is preach in all the
world, judgment will not come. Everyone must have a chance at repentance.
Exo 3:20 “And I shall stretch out My hand
and smite Mitsrayim with all My wonders which I shall do in its midst. And
after that he shall let you go. – It is sad to say, but many will turn to EL
YAHVEH after a tragedy such as what happen in Haiti. The plague that is to come
will be against a specific god the Egyptian hold sacred. A systematic
destruction of one belief system is the only way to bring a person to
redemption. This is the wonders EL YAHVEH is talking about, actions of Biblical
proportion.
The term My Hand is the first example given of the
Fivefold Ministry of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher?
This is the Mighty Hand of EL YAHVEH. These ministry principles still apply to
day in principle!
Exo 3:21 “And I shall give this people favor in the eyes of the Mitsrites. And it
shall be, that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. – Not only were the Children of Yisrael find favor
in the eyes of Egypt, they will not be affected by the plague that would ravage
the land. They would leave with great wealth. With the help of the Mighty Hand
ministry a believer who come to a saving grace will leave this world a form of
Egypt with great spiritual wealth. This is another one of those principles of
Torah worth remembering.
If Yisrael had remained
faithful to the promise as Joseph did, they would not have being in slavery.
They would be an example to the Egyptians; the outcome would have been
different. I believe that if the Children of Yisrael had maintained the same
level of spiritual intensity Joseph had established, Egypt would have become an
extension of the promise land.
Exo 3:22 “But every woman shall ask from her
neighbour and from the stranger in her house, objects of silver, and objects of
gold, and garments. And you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters,
and shall plunder the Mitsrites.” – The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. Have you
plundered the wicked in your area of influence yet? Then get moving!
