tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26418019687227098182024-03-19T00:27:48.948-04:00Moed TorahProverbs 25:2 NKJV 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-42674898976215386822024-03-12T15:44:00.002-04:002024-03-12T15:44:14.814-04:00Torah Portions Vayak’Hel/Pekudei – As the LORD Commanded Moses<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/JpmZ5zfsMlA"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/JpmZ5zfsMlA</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus 35:1-19; Exodus 40:17-38<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the sin of the golden calf, Moses made atonement for the children of Israel.
God renewed the covenant with them. The plans for building God’s dwelling place
in the midst of their camp could go forward. This Torah portion details the
steps that were followed to build the tabernacle and to make the garments for
Aaron and his sons to serve as priests in God’s dwelling place. What is God
communicating to us through these instructions and the steps that the children
of Israel followed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
time had finally arrived. Moses spent forty days outside the camp in
supplication with God to forgive the children of Israel. Then, God called Moses
back up the mountain for an additional forty days. When he came down from the
mountain with the new tablets of the Commandments, Moses’ face shone with the
glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 34:29 NKJV 29 Now it was so,
when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony
were in Moses' hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not
know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
was different from when Moses came down from the mountain the first time. What
was different during this second forty days in God’s presence? This time, after
Moses successfully interceded for the children of Israel, God revealed His
glory to Moses and proclaimed His name to him. When Moses came down from the
mountain, he reflected both God’s glory and God’s name. From then on, every
time Moses went into the presence of God, he came out reflecting that glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 34:34 NKJV 34 But whenever
Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off
until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel
whatever he had been commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses,
as a type of Messiah, foreshadows Yeshua’s coming as a human dwelling place for
God in our world and His role to build the kingdom of God as God’s permanent
dwelling place on Earth. This will be realized when the New Jerusalem comes
down out of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:2-3 NKJV 2 Then I, John,
saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven
saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their
God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
day that Moses came down from the mountain would have been the tenth of Tishri
which God would set aside as the Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. We, also,
recognize this day as the day of Judgment. When Yeshua returns from His stay in
the presence of God, He will shine with the glory of the Father and the
revelation of His name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 1:7-8 NKJV 7 Behold, He is
coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And
all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I
am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord,
"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter,
James, and John received a glimpse of this glory when Yeshua was transfigured
in their presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 17:1-2 NKJV 1 Now after six
days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high
mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone
like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Returning
to the time of Moses, as the building of the Tabernacle and the creation of
Aaron’s garments progressed throughout the next six months, Moses probably went
into God’s presence frequently to receive instructions and guidance. The first
instruction Moses relayed to the people was to keep the Sabbath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 35:1-3 NKJV 1 Then Moses
gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to
them, "These are the words which the LORD has commanded you to do: 2
"Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day
for you, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be
put to death. 3 "You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the
Sabbath day."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
instruction was especially important. There seems to have been a fierce desire
and impatience to get on with the work of completing the dwelling place for
God. After eighty days of not knowing whether God would still take them as His
people and would still want to dwell with them, there must have been immense
relief as well as excitement that God still wanted them to build a tabernacle
for Him. They must have been tempted to work every day to get the tabernacle
completed as soon as possible. However, God reminded them to keep the Sabbath. In
this context, that meant no work on the tabernacle on the Sabbath. Even
kindling a fire to heat the metal to prepare it for the work was prohibited.
Resting on the Sabbath day, even as they built the tabernacle, was a reminder of
both their covenant with God and that God is the creator who created for six
days and rested on the seventh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 31:16-17 NKJV 16 'Therefore the
children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout
their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 'It is a sign between Me and the
children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the
earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We,
also, are eager to build God’s dwelling place on Earth. If we follow this
model, we are to work for six days to build God’s kingdom, and on the seventh
day, we are to rest. It seems that we have this backward! We tend to work only
one day a week on building God’s tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
this boundary established for the work, Moses put out the call for the people
to bring an offering for the construction of the Tabernacle and for the
garments for Aaron and his sons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 35:4-9 NKJV 4 And Moses spoke
to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the
thing which the LORD commanded, saying: 5 'Take from among you an offering to
the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the
LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 'blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine
linen, and goats' hair; 7 'ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 8
'oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense;
9 'onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
people were so willing to give that, eventually, Moses had to cut off their
offerings. Everything needed for the tabernacle had been provided.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 36:6-7 NKJV 6 So Moses gave a
commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying,
"Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the
sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the
material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done-indeed too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We,
also, are to bring our offerings of fine gems, metal, and fabric for the
building of the temple. They are not to be substandard, but the very best.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Corinthians 3:12-14 NKJV 12 Now if
anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it,
because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of
what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will
receive a reward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
work on the tabernacle required that the materials be organized, that the plans
be carefully followed, and that the craftsmanship be of the highest quality. To
accomplish this, God told Moses to appoint two men to head the work. These men
were Bezalel and Aholiab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 36:1-2 NKJV 1 "And Bezalel
and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and
understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the
sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded." 2 Then
Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the
LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
seems that Bezalel’s expertise was in the building of the structure and the
furnishings of the tabernacle such as the Ark of the covenant while Aholiab’s
expertise was with the fine detail such as the engraving and the design of the
fabric and intricate metal work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 38:22-23 NKJV 22 Bezalel the
son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD had
commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe
of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread,
and of fine linen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
two men and those assisting them were filled with the Spirit of God and,
through the Spirit, were gifted with wisdom and understanding. The meanings of
these names reveal interesting additional insight into these men who were
chosen by God. Bazalel was the son of Uri, the son of Hur from the tribe of
Judah. His name, “bets-al-ale,” number 1212 in Strong’s Concordance, means in
the shadow of God. Uri, number 217 means fiery, and Hur, number 2354, can mean
one of two things from either number 2353 or 2352, meaning either white linen
or to bore. As “white linen”, we see purity and the forgiveness of God, as “to
bore,” we see Bazelel’s skill in working with metal. Aholiab was the son of
Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. His name, “O-hol-e-awb,” Number 171, means “the
tent of his father.” Ahisamach, number 294, means brother of support. So,
Bazelel works in the shadow of God, using fire to refine the metal bringing
purity and the forgiveness of God. Aholiab supported his brother Bazalel in
building the tent of their Father God! All this through the power of the Spirit
of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We,
also, are filled with the Spirit of God to have wisdom and understanding to
build the dwelling place of God. Paul talks about some of the gifts of the
spirit for the building up of the spiritual temple of God in his first letter
to the assembly in Corinth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV 4 There are
diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of
ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but
it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit
is given to each one for the profit of all:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
work on the tabernacle began, two things stand out. The first is that all the
work of the artisans is combined together and described as being done by an
anonymous person referred to as “he.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 36:8-10 NKJV 8 Then all the
gifted artisans among them who worked on the tabernacle made ten curtains woven
of fine linen, and of blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs
of cherubim they made them. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight
cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the curtains were all the
same size. 10 And he coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five
curtains he coupled to one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notice
in verse ten that “he coupled five curtains to one another.” As the description
of building the parts of the tabernacle continue, the account is written as if it
is all done by a single person indicated by the pronoun “he.” The Hebrew
grammar doesn’t use pronouns as we use them in English. The separate word “he”
doesn’t exist. Instead, the verbs are masculine singular indicating one person.
This use of the masculine singular indicates that all of the work is viewed as
being done by one person. Collectively, the artisans work as one with no
distinction to build the tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the continuation of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he emphasizes that we,
also, are one body, each with his role to support one another in the building
of the body of Christ, that is the spiritual temple.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV 12 For as the
body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being
many, are one body, so also is Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
second thing to notice in the construction of the tabernacle is that it is all
done as the LORD had commanded. In Exodus 35:10, those who volunteered as
artisans where those the LORD had commanded. In Exodus 35:29, the work was as
the LORD had commanded. In Exodus 38:22, Bezalel made all that the LORD
commanded. It goes on and on throughout the description of the construction of
the tabernacle and the making of the garments for the priesthood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
all the work is completed. It is ready to be assembled. The garments for Aaron
and his sons are waiting for them to begin their service to God. It was all
completed as the LORD commanded Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 39:42-43 NKJV 42 According to
all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the
work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as
the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
the work was done! Everything was in place and ready to be assembled. They
brought the work of their hands to Moses and he blessed them. When we have
completed our work, we bring it to Yeshua. Yeshua compared the kingdom of
heaven to the return of a master who was on a long journey. When the master
returned, he evaluated the work of his servants. He praised the servant who
expanded the wealth of the master. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 25:23 NKJV 23 "His lord
said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over
a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of
your lord.' <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
our Master Yeshua returns, we long to hear His words spoken of us, “Well done,
good and faithful servant.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So
Moses received the parts of the tabernacle and the garments for Aaron and his
sons. He took the parts and carefully assembled them to make the dwelling place
of God on Earth. On the first day of the first month exactly one year after God
spoke to Moses about making that day the first of months for them, Moses set up
the tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 40:1-2 NKJV 1 Then the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "On the first day of the first month you shall
set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
dwelling place for God would be the place where God would meet with His people.
Moses put up the tabernacle, placed the ark of the testimony in its place and
set it apart by putting up the vail. He brought in the table for the showbread,
the menorah, and the incense altar. He put the screen over the entrance to the
tabernacle. He set up the bronze altar and the laver in the courtyard along
with the curtains and the gate to the courtyard. He anointed and consecrated
that altar and laver. He brough Aaron and his sons before the LORD and clothed
them in their garments. He anointed them as priests. He did all that the LORD
commanded him to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 40:16-17 NKJV 16 Thus Moses
did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did. 17 And it
came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the
month, that the tabernacle was raised up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
all was complete, Moses and Aaron stood outside the tabernacle and the glory of
God filled the place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 40:34-35 NKJV 34 Then the cloud
covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the
tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting,
because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the
tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he built it according to the pattern
that God had given David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Chronicles 28:11-12 NKJV 11 Then
David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its
treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy
seat; 12 and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the
house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the
house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
details for building the temple in Jerusalem follow the same pattern as that of
building the tabernacle from the free will offering of the people, to the
skilled artisans, to the filling of the temple with God’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
will be a day when the construction of the temple of God’s permanent dwelling
place, the New Jerusalem will be complete. John describes the New Jerusalem as
a bride prepared for her husband. One of the angels shows John the New
Jerusalem descending out of heaven built with the precious stones and filled
with God’s glory. Notice that it descends after the Day of Judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:9-11 NKJV 9 Then one of
the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues
came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride,
the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and
high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out
of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most
precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like
with the tabernacle and the temple, God’s description of this city is detailed.
It is being built exactly according to the LORD’s command. We have a role in
building this city and, also, as being built as part of the city. God has
entrusted the building of His permanent dwelling place on earth to us. May we,
like Bezalel and Aholiab, be given the spirit of wisdom and understanding to
build our part of the eternal New Jerusalem as the LORD commanded us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We tend to work on building God’s
kingdom one day of the week and then resting for this task the other six. How
can we turn this around? How can we use Moses’ example of going frequently into
God’s presence as an example for us?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The children of Israel willingly
brought more than enough offerings to build the tabernacle and garments of the
priesthood. What lesson can we learn from this?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The meanings of names are important
throughout scripture. What deeper understanding about the building of the
tabernacle is revealed through the meanings of Bezalel and Aholiabl’s names?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The title of this teaching, “As the
LORD Commanded Moses” indicates that the entire construction process as well as
making the garments for the priests was done precisely as commanded. What are
the commands given to us about building the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling
place of God with man?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In what way are the artisans a single
entity as they build the various parts of the Tabernacle? How are we to be a
single entity or body? Why is this so important?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">insights
did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah
Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-73729560095886350692024-03-07T05:44:00.000-05:002024-03-07T05:44:07.453-05:00Torah Portion Ki Tisa – Show Me Your Glory<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/gjry5yHpZwk"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/gjry5yHpZwk</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus chapter 33<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Following
the completion of the Tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood under
Aaron the high priest, Moses, once again returns to the top of Mount Sinai to
receive instructions from God. But the people encamped at the base of the
mountain grew impatient when, in their estimate, Moses was delayed in returning
to them. This is the time in the account of the Exodus where we see the
incident of the Golden Calf; a story that most of us are very familiar with. Having
committed this egregious sin, what would become of this barely formed nation
that God had declared was His nation? Would they still be His people? Would God
still dwell among them? And would He still take them to the Promised land? Will
the result of the people’s sin have far-reaching effects on their relationship
with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Moses’ prolonged absence, and under pressure from the people, Aaron took it
upon himself to create an idol and declare that it was the god who brought them
out of Egypt! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:4-5 NKJV 4 And he received
the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made
a molded calf. Then they said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought
you out of the land of Egypt!" 5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar
before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to
the LORD."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
at the base of the still smoking and shaking mountain, while Moses was in God’s
presence, and at the very the place where God declared that He would once more
dwell with man, and the people had declared that they would obey all the LORD
had commanded, Aaron led the people in rebellion against God in a similar
manner to Adam. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the beginning, Adam was the chosen priest of God. Adam, along with Eve, the
woman God provided for Adam, gave into the enticements of the serpent to do
what God had specifically instructed them not to do. Adam then turned and
blamed someone else; he blamed Eve and ultimately blamed God for his own
actions. As a result, Adam and Eve were exiled from the garden and from God’s
presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 3:23-24 NKJV 23 therefore the
LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he
was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of
the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the
way to the tree of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aaron
was also God’s chosen priest. He gave into the pleas of the people to do what
God had instructed them not to do. Aaron then blamed the people, Moses, and
ultimately God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:21-24 NKJV 21 And Moses said
to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a
sin upon them?" 22 So Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord
become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23 "For they
said to me, 'Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man
who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of
him.' 24 "And I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let them break it
off.' So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came
out."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
was ready to abandon them all and turn to Moses to build a great nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:9-10 NKJV 9 And the LORD
said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked
people! 10 "Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot
against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
suppose that if Moses wasn’t the humble man and servant of God that he was, he
may have accepted God’s offer. God was ready to annihilate the nation of Israel
and start over with Moses and his descendants. However, Moses didn’t agree to
God’s offer. Instead, Moses interceded for the children of Israel on the basis
of God’s reputation and promise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:11-13 NKJV 11 Then Moses
pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn
hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with
great power and with a mighty hand? 12 "Why should the Egyptians speak,
and say, 'He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and
to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and
relent from this harm to Your people. 13 "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and
Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I
will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I
have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it
forever.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses’
intercession was not based on the merit of the people; they had zero merit
before God at this point! Moses’ arguments were based on God’s promise to
Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
responded to Moses’ plea and relented from immediate judgment of the people and
sent Moses down from the mountain to deal with them. There was still going to
be consequences for their sin of building and worshiping the idol! When Moses
went down from the mountain, he carried the tablets that God had made and
engraved with the testimony of the covenant. When Moses saw the behavior of the
people for himself, his anger was as fierce as God’s anger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:19 NKJV 19 So it was, as
soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses'
anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at
the foot of the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
broke the testimony of the covenant at the threshold of God’s dwelling place on
the mountain! He called for those on the side of the LORD to come to his side
and join in putting to death those who had worshiped idols. The sons of Levi
rallied to Moses’ side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:27-29 NKJV 27 And he said to
them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let every man put his sword on
his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and
let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his
neighbor.'" 28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And
about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 29 Then Moses said,
"Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a
blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those
who participated in cleansing the camp from sin, namely the Levites, were now
consecrated to God. This is the same term God used when He told Moses to
consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve God. The Hebrew phrase for consecrate in
this verse is “maw-lay yad-kam,” from numbers 4390 and 3027 in Strong’s
Concordance literally meaning “to fill your hand.” The Levites are to fill
their hands with service to the LORD so He could bless them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
fate of national Israel was not yet determined, however. Repentance on the part
of the remaining people had to take place, and Moses would go up to God on
Mount Sinai to make atonement for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:31-32 NKJV 31 Then Moses
returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great
sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 "Yet now, if You will
forgive their sin-but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have
written." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
went before God and made an astonishing offer. Moses offered to take the place
of entire nation of Israel in the judgment that God was going to hand out on
them. If God could not forgive the sin of the nation, then Moses asked that God
blot him out of His book of the righteous. Moses is offering to give up his
standing among the righteous for the nation of Israel. Moses had refused God’s
offer to make him a great nation; now the tables are turned, and God refused
Moses’ offer to be written out of the book for the sake of his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
declared that each person would be accountable for their own actions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 32:33-34 NKJV 33 And the LORD
said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My
book. 34 "Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have
spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day
when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their
sin."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
God had relented from immediate judgment, atonement had not yet been made for
the children of Israel. God told Moses to take the people and go to the
Promised Land and God would send His angel to lead the way, but God Himself would
not go with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:1-3 NKJV 1 Then the LORD
said to Moses, "Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you
have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your descendants I will give it.' 2 "And I
will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the
Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 3
"Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your
midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like
Adam, they were being exiled from God’s dwelling place! When Moses told the
people that God would not go with them, the people mourned. However, instead of
gathering up the people and departing Mount Sinai, Moses took his tent, pitched
it outside the camp and called it the tent of meeting. Now instead of God
dwelling in the midst of them, they could only observe the place of God’s
presence from a distance. This was a vivid demonstration of what they had given
up when they worshiped the idol they had built.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:7-9 NAS95 7 Now Moses used
to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp,
and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go
out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. 8 And it came about,
whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand,
each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the
tent. 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and
stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
told God that he wasn’t going to leave Mount Sinai until God told him who He
would send with him to lead the people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:12-13 NKJV 12 Then Moses
said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You
have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you
by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' 13 "Now therefore, I
pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may
know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation
is Your people."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
was insistent that the nation of Israel was God’s nation, not Moses’ nation.
The word “consider” is the Hebrew word “ra-ah,” number 7200 meaning to see,
provide, or see to it. Moses is asking God to see to it that they are His
people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
conversation with God continued with God’s response that His presence would go
with Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:14 NKJV 14 And He said,
"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
interesting note here is something that we don’t see it in the English
translation. The Hebrew, the word translated as “you” is in the singular form.
God is telling Moses that He would go with Moses and give Moses rest. This
implies that God would not go with the children of Israel as a whole. This
understanding of the singular form of “you,” makes sense of Moses’ response in
the following verses. Moses found this arrangement unacceptable and too much
like the offer to do away with Israel altogether and make a nation from Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:15-16 NKJV 15 Then he said
to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from
here. 16 "For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found
grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your
people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
declared that there was no point in him leading the children of Israel to the
Promised Land if God didn’t go with them! The whole point of God taking the
children of Israel to the Promised Land was so that they would be recognized as
different from the other nations. Moses found grace with God and, by extension
through Moses’ intervention on their behalf, grace was also extended to the
children of Israel. It appears that God agreed with Moses’ argument and stated
that He would do what Moses asked and go with the children of Israel on their
journey to the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:17-18 NKJV 17 So the LORD
said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you
have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." 18 And he said,
"Please, show me Your glory."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
granted Moses’ request to see God’s glory. God would show Moses His goodness
and glory and declare His name to Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 33:19-20 NKJV 19 Then He said,
"I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name
of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I
will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." 20 But He said,
"You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
then spent another forty days on the mountain making atonement for the sins of
the children of Israel. When He returned once again to the people, he had a new
set of stone tablets of the testimony with him, and he was ready to build the
dwelling place of God. At this time, however, God’s dwelling place was outside
the camp in the Tent of Meeting. Those who wanted to seek the LORD had to leave
the camp to do so. But atonement must be made so that God’s dwelling place
could be in the camp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the very beginning of this Torah portion, between the instructions regarding
the Incense Altar and the Bronze Laver, God gave instructions for a census and
what is described a ransom for their soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 30:11-12 NKJV 11 Then the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying: 12 "When you take the census of the children of
Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the
LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you
number them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
census involved everyone from twenty years of age and older. Each were to give
a half shekel offering to the LORD and, unlike the free will offering for the
Tabernacle, this offering of the half shekel was mandatory. We see that the
purpose of this offering was to make atonement for their souls.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 30:16 NKJV 16 "And you
shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it
for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the
children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through
their repentance and subsequent obedience to the LORD, the children of Israel
received grace through Moses. Grace is frequently described as “unmerited
favor.” In Hebrew, it is the word “chanan,” number 2603 meaning to bend or
stoop in kindness to an inferior. The one who extends kindness to an inferior
is not obligated to extend that kindness, so we get the idea of “unmerited
favor.” Even though atonement was made for and by the children of Israel, God
extended grace to His people. Grace was extended, but not without cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Moses was on the mountain making atonement for the children of Israel, God
spoke to Moses that He was renewing the covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 34:10 NKJV 10 And He said:
"Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such
as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people
among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing
that I will do with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
children of Israel were still God’s people. God later repeats His instructions
to Moses about the dwelling place they were to build for Him and about the
garments for Aaron and his sons to minister as priests before Him. God’s grace
was extended to Israel through the intercession of Moses. God would go up to
the Promised Land with Israel and make His dwelling place among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Moses came down the mountain with the testimony of the covenant with him, the
intention was to establish the kingdom of God on the earth in the midst of the
people. For us today, when Yeshua returns, this mission will be accomplished.
Yeshua will bring the testimony of the covenant with him, He will establish His
kingdom in the Promised Land at Jerusalem, and will dwell among His people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At the very beginning of this Torah
portion is the commandment that all the males 20 years old and up are to offer
a half shekel each regardless of their financial situation. This offering is
called a “ransom” for their souls (Strong’s #3724) in verse 12 and for the
purpose of “atonement” for their souls (#3722) in verse 15. What is the
relationship between these two words? How do these words relate to the half
shekel? <o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What are the arguments that Moses uses to
convince God not to destroy Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How did God’s reactions to the sin of the
Golden Calf reveal both His judgment and His grace?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Moses broke the first set of tablets
containing the testimony of the covenant when he cast them down at the foot of
the mountain. (Exodus 32:19) What is the significance of this being at the
threshold of God’s dwelling place? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What was the purpose in building the
Golden Calf? Who did they seek to serve by it? If their heart was in the right
place, why were they punished? What does this teach us about faith and our
relationship to God’s commandments? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-29955565779495461372024-02-21T16:01:00.005-05:002024-02-21T16:02:15.698-05:00Torah Portion Tetzaveh – Take Aaron and His Sons<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video teaching is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/Rrnm3xOs5Gs"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/Rrnm3xOs5Gs</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus 27:20-28:1-5; 29:38-30:10 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
Torah portion continues with the description of the tabernacle, the dwelling
place of God in the midst of His people Israel. However, the focus turns away
from the physical building and its furnishing to the garments that they were to
make for Aaron and his sons to minister in the tabernacle before the LORD.
These instructions are sandwiched by three specific duties that God lays out
for the priests. These are their service to God through the menorah and the
altar of incense and the command to bring the daily offering. Each of these
tasks was to be done continually. What is the message God is communicating
through these garments and these three tasks?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
seven branched menorah represents the light of God’s presence in the
Tabernacle. The children of Israel were to provide the oil for the lamp so that
it could burn continually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 27:20-21 NKJV 20 "And you
shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed
olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. 21 "In the
tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron
and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall
be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a statute forever to their
generations on behalf of the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aaron
and his sons were to tend the lamp each evening and morning. This implies that
the lamp was to be lit each evening to burn throughout the night. The <u>Stone
Edition Chumash</u> presents Rashi’s understanding of this practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rashi (Shabbos 22b) comments that if
any of the flames were still burning in the morning, the Kohen would extinguish
them in order to clean the lamps, but he would allow the western one to
continue burning. During times when the Jewish people were worthy, a miracle
happened and the western lamp never went out. … The eternally burning western
lamp was proof of God’s Presence in the Temple.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
duty of tending the menorah was the first duty God gave to Aaron. It was their
last duty at night and their first duty in the morning. As such, it symbolizes
the new creation. The first words God spoke into the darkness of creation were
“Let there be light.” This light at creation was not the light of the sun or the
moon; they were created on the fourth day. This light is the light of God’s
Presence in His creation. When the new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven,
there will be no need for the light of the sun, moon, or even the menorah
because God and the Lamb are its light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:23 NKJV 23 The city had
no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God
illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
priests have the sacred duty to tend the light of God’s Presence in His
dwelling place on Earth in the midst of His people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
order to perform their duties, the priests had to be clothed appropriately.
Their garments are described as being for glory and for beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:2-3 NKJV 2 "And you
shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3
"So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled
with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate
him, that he may minister to Me as priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Hebrew word translated as “glory” is “kaw-bode,” number 3519 in Strong’s
Concordance meaning to be heavy or weighty only in good sense of splendor or
glory. This is the glory of the LORD the children of Israel saw in the pillar
of cloud when God provided the manna from heaven and in the devouring fire at
the top of Mt. Sinai. When the children of Israel saw Aaron in his vestments of
his office of high priest, they were to be reminded of God’s glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word “beauty” is “tif-aw-raw,” number 8597, meaning ornament, beauty, honor, or
glory. When Moses describes the nation of Israel as a special people exalted
above the other nations, the word “tif-aw-raw” is translated as honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 26:19 NKJV 19 "and
that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in
name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God,
just as He has spoken." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aaron
wore the garments of the high priest for glory and beauty as well as for honor.
The children of Israel, as a nation of priests, wore the garments of their
holiness in honor of their position before God. Yeshua states that those who
overcome will be given white garments and will be presented before the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 3:5 NKJV 5 "He who
overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name
from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before
His angels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the context of the church of Sardis to whom Yeshua spoke these words, those who
overcome are those who remember the salvation they have received, repent of
their sins, and complete the deeds they have been given to do. In other words,
they have been faithful to the office to which they have been called.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
garments for Aaron, the high priest, are different from that of his sons who
would serve under him. Aaron’s garments are both colorful and full of symbolic
meaning about his office of high priest. The first garment described is the
ephod made of woven linen embroidered with gold, blue, purple and scarlet
thread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:5-6 NKJV 5 "They shall
take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, 6 "and
they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine
woven linen, artistically worked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
ephod contained the same colors as the veil across the Holy of Holies. In
addition to the blue, purple, and scarlet, the ephod was embroidered with fine
thread made from thin sheets of gold cut into thread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 39:3 NKJV 3 And they beat the
gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue,
purple, and scarlet thread and the fine linen, into artistic designs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two
stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel were fastened to the shoulders
of the ephod.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:9-10 NKJV 9 "Then you
shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
10 "six of their names on one stone, and six names on the other stone, in
order of their birth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
explains that by wearing these stones on his shoulder, Aaron is bearing the
names of the tribes of Israel as a remembrance before God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:12 NKJV 12 "And you
shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for
the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two
shoulders as a memorial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Each
stone was engraved with the names of six of the sons of Jacob in their birth
order. In Hebrew, each set of six names contained exactly twenty-five letters.
The tribes were well balanced on Aaron’s shoulders. Not only did Aaron bear the
names of the tribes on his shoulders, he, also bore them as a remembrance on
the breastplate in four rows of three stones. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:21 NKJV 21 "And the
stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their
names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall
be according to the twelve tribes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
stones were worn on Aaron’s chest near to his heart. Every time he went into
the holy place, God would see the two stones on Aaron’s shoulders and the
twelve stones near to his heart and remember his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:29 NKJV 29 "So Aaron
shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over
his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD
continually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
turn, Aaron would feel the weight of responsibility for Israel on his shoulders
and carry their needs close to his heart. Every time he went into the holy
place, he carried the entire nation of Israel with him. Goran Larsson in his
book <u>Bound for Freedom</u> explains:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He stood as the representative of the
people before God and performed his service on their behalf. He shouldered
responsibility for the well-being of his people and took upon himself their
burdens both openly and in private. His people were to be inscribed on his
heart in such a way that their needs became his needs.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
breastplate itself was to be made of the same fine linen as the ephod
embroidered with the same colors of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. It was to
be doubled to form a pouch in which the Urim and Thummim were kept.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:30 NKJV 30 "And you
shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they
shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD. So Aaron shall
bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the LORD
continually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Urim and Thummim were stones of judgment. Their placement over Aaron’s heart
was a reminder that he held the judgment of Israel in his hands through his
office of high priest. Because of the presence of the Urim and Thummim, the
breastplate was called the breastplate of judgment. The actual meaning of the
words Urim and Thummim is debated with different root words proposed for each.
The most popular understanding is that “Urim,” number 224, means lights, and that
“Thummim,” number 8550, means perfections or completeness. The Septuagint uses
Greek words indicating that they refer to revelation and truth. The Urim and
Thummim were used by the high priest to inquire of God and make judgments. They
were symbolic of the light of God’s perfect judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next item of the high priesthood is a blue robe with a binding around the
neckline to prevent tearing. Pomegranate shapes in blue, purple, and scarlet
were to be attached to the hem alternating with golden bells. Once again, the
colors were the same colors as those used in the veil in front of the Holy of
Holies. The bells would sound whenever Aaron went into the holy place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:33-35 NKJV 33 "And upon
its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around
its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 "a golden bell and
a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all
around. 35 "And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound
will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he
comes out, that he may not die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word pomegranate is the Hebrew word “rim-mone,” number 7416, as a description
of the tree’s upright growth. Rim-mone comes from the word “raw-mam,” number
7426, meaning to rise or exalt. Although the meaning of the pomegranates and
the bells is unknown, they may have served to remind the priests of the need to
be humble and holy when they enter the dwelling place of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next item that Aaron was to wear was a gold plate inscribed with the words “Holiness
to the LORD.” This plate was to be attached to his turban.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 28:36-37 NKJV 36 "You
shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a
signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 37 "And you shall put it on a blue cord,
that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blue cord is used to attach the plate to the
turban. Later, the children of Israel were told to wear a blue cord on the
corners of their garments as a reminder of God’s commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numbers 15:38-39 NKJV 38 "Speak
to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their
garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels
of the corners. 39 "And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon
it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may
not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
those who looked at the high priest would immediately see that he is set apart
to the LORD. Similarly, looking at the blue cords called tzit-tzit found on the
corners of the garments would be a reminder of God’s commandments which set the
nation of Israel apart as a holy nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
garments that Aaron’s sons wore were all made of fine linen which was
traditionally white. In contrast, colorful garments were made of wool because
they more easily accepted the dyes. When Aaron went into the Holy of Holies
once a year to make atonement for the tabernacle and the people, he did not
wear the garments marking him as the high priest. He wore special white
vestments that were almost the same as the simple white linen garments that the
rest of the priesthood wore. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 16:4 NKJV 4 "He shall
put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded
with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are
holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
going into the presence of God whose earthly throne was on the Mercy Seat
between the cherubim, Aaron came as an ordinary priest. It is perhaps a bit
ironic that the most holy garments Aaron wore were those of simple white linen.
The <u>Stone Edition Chumash</u> comments that white linen is symbolic of
forgiveness.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
these instructions about the garments Aaron and his sons were to wear while ministering
before the LORD and the instructions for their installment as priests, the
Torah describes the next two duties of Aaron after tending to the menorah. The
next duty was to bring the continual or tamid offering twice a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 29:38-39 NKJV 38 "Now this
is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day
continually. 39 "One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other
lamb you shall offer at twilight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and last offerings on the altar
each day is a lamb. Any other offerings brought during the day would be brought
between these two offerings. This offering fits the description of the burnt
offering in which all of the animal is burnt on the altar and the smoke rises
to God bringing the one who offers the animal into the presence of God. As
such, these two offerings represent opening the path into God’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
third duty, and the last one of this Torah portion, is to bring the incense
offering twice a day at morning and evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 30:7-8 NKJV 7 "Aaron shall
burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn
incense on it. 8 "And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall
burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your
generations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
instructs that the incense be brought in the morning and the evening at the
same time that Aaron is to tend the menorah. According to rabbinic tradition, offering
the incense is the holiest service a priest could perform. Goran Larsson
comments that the smoke of the incense represented the presence of the LORD.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
three tasks are to be performed every day. In addition, before Aaron and his
sons could begin their service, they were to wash their hands and feet in the
bronze laver.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 30:19-20 NKJV 19 "for
Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. 20
"When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the
altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall
wash with water, lest they die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
Aaron and his sons start their day, they begin by putting on their priestly
garments. They, then, proceed to the bronze laver and wash their hands and
feet. Any dust as well as impurities must be washed away before they begin
their service to God. Notice that Aaron and his sons are not given any footwear
to wear. Moses was told to remove his footwear when God appeared before him in
the burning bush because it was sacred ground. The grounds of the tabernacle
were likewise sacred grounds because of God’s presence, and, thus, the priests
wore no footwear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
washing, they enter the tabernacle and tend to the lamps. The lamps of the
Menorah which shined throughout the night would be extinguished. If the center
light was still burning, it would remain lit throughout the day. Aaron would
bring the incense offering inviting God’s presence to remain in the Tabernacle.
They would, then, exit the tabernacle and begin the day with the first of the
two daily offerings. In the temple, the ritual was much more involved, and
these three specific tasks would have happened simultaneously. At the end of
the day, the priests would again wash in the laver, bring the closing daily
offering, and then enter the tabernacle to light the menorah for the evening. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
light of the menorah and the incense are a reminder of the shekinah glory as
the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Finally, Aaron and his sons
would remove their priestly garments. Their service to God was completed until
the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through
these three tasks and the garments for Aaron and his sons, God is communicating
details of how He would dwell with the children of Israel. As a royal
priesthood, we must put on the garments given to us to serve God. We must wash
off any impurities before we come into God’s dwelling place. Our ability to
approach God is opened up through the offering of the lambs. We must act to
bring God’s dwelling place down to Earth through the light and the incense of
His presence. Yeshua said to seek to enter the kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The Study
focuses on three tasks, tending the menorah, bringing the daily tamid offering,
and bringing the incense offering, that God commanded that Aaron and his sons
perform continually. The Hebrew word that is translated as continually or
always in our Torah portion is “taw-meed,” number 8548, meaning to stretch,
continuance, constant, regular, or continual. What is the significance of these
three tasks especially in the context of being performed continually? How does
this apply to Yeshua our high priest? Although we would not be considered “high
priests,” we are a royal priesthood, so how would we fulfill these commandments
in our lives?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Aaron’s
garments were for glory and beauty. What does this mean? What does this mean in
terms of Yeshua our high priest, as well as us in our own lives?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Aaron
wore the name of the twelve tribes on his shoulder and on his breastplate. What
was the purpose for wearing the names? How does it apply to Yeshua our high
priest as well as us in our own lives? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Describe
the garments for Aaron’s sons, the “ordinary” priests (Exodus 28:40-43). The <u>Stone
Edition Chumash</u> stated that the white linen is symbolic of forgiveness. How
is this reflected in the garments of the priests and the garments of the high
priest when he goes into the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t
cover the ceremony for anointing Aaron and his sons into the priesthood in
Exodus 29. What elements of this seven day ceremony stand out to you and why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What
other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">insights
did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah
Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All right reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>Stone
Edition Chumash</u>. General Editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir Zolotowiitz.
Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000. Page 691.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Goran Larsson. <u>Bound for Freedom</u>. Hendrickson Publishers. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1999
Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 220.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>Stone
Edition Chumash</u>. General Editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir Zolotowiitz.
Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000. Page 637.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/20%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons/20%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Tetzaveh%20-%20Take%20Aaron%20and%20His%20Sons.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Goran Larsson. <u>Bound for Freedom</u>. Hendrickson Publishers. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1999
Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Page 234.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-84957985796917603462024-02-14T18:25:00.007-05:002024-02-14T18:25:56.903-05:00Torah Portion Terumah - Have Them Make Me a Sanctuary<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/Xz9doXZc33s"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/Xz9doXZc33s</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scripture
reading: Exodus 25<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beginning
with Torah portion Terumah, the Exodus account takes a dramatic change of
direction. The last two portions; Yitro and Mishpatim, focused on laws and ordinances
concerning how the people were to interact with each other and interspersed
with them, how they were to interact with the divine presence of God at Mount
Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
portion begins with Moses on Mt. Sinai receiving additional instructions. The first
instructions God gave to Moses during his forty days on the mountain, involved
taking an offering for the purpose of building a sanctuary or tabernacle for
God in the midst of the camp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:1-2 NKJV 1 Then the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they
bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you
shall take My offering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
is it so important that only those with a willing heart contribute? Why did God
emphasize that it was His offering by using the phrase “My offering?” And what
do these detailed instructions about the building of the Tabernacle reveal
about the nature of God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
instructed Moses to tell the people to bring Him an offering. This word
offering is the Hebrew word “terumah,” number 8641 in the Strong’s Concordance,
meaning a present or an offering. Terumah comes from the word “ruwm”, number 7311,
meaning to rise or lift up, to be high or exalted. This offering was to be a
present lifted up to God! As it was lifted, it became high or exalted. It is a
precious gift to God! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
instructed Moses that only those who were willing to bring the offering should
do so. When we receive a present, those that are given because the person wants
to give it are much more precious to us than those given reluctantly! We are
like God in this; God desires the gifts we give Him to be offered because we
want to give to Him! But this goes beyond a willing heart! The Hebrew word
translated as “willing” is “nadab,” number 5068 meaning to offer freely or
impel. The J.P. Green Literal Translation of the Bible translates Exodus 25:2
as:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:2 (J.P. Green) Speak to the
sons of Israel, and let them take an offering for Me from every man whose heart
impels Him—let them take My offering.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those
whose hearts impelled them are to bring an offering! This is not just willing;
this is an offering that you just have to give because your innermost being
will not be happy unless you do so! This is an offering you simply must bring,
not compelled from an outside force, but compelled from your own heart! God
told Moses very specifically what to bring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:3-7 NKJV 3 "And this is
the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4
"blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats' hair; 5
"ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 6 "oil for the
light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 7 "onyx
stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
of these included precious stones, fine linen, beautiful, cured skins, spices
and oil. How is it that, having left Egypt in hast, that they had such items
with them? Remember, when the children of Israel left Egypt, they not only took
all their possessions with them, but the Egyptians gave them much of their own
wealth as well. The ultimate purpose of these items was to build a dwelling
place for God!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:8-9 NKJV 8 "And let
them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 "According to all
that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all
its furnishings, just so you shall make it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
are several words in this passage to pay particular attention to. The first is
“sanctuary.” It is translated from the Hebrew word miqdash, number 4720,
meaning a hallowed part or holy place. Mikdash is related to the Hebrew word
qadash, number 6942, which is most often translated as “holy.” The Brown,
Driver, Briggs lexicon defines it as separate or set apart. This miqdash was to
be a set apart place, a holy place, where God would dwell with them. God wanted
an intimate relationship with them! The word translated as “among” is number
8432, Tavek, meaning a bisection, to cut in half, to be in the middle. As such
it means that God wanted to be in the midst or even within them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next word of interest is in verse nine is “tabernacle.” Tabernacle is from the
Hebrew word mishkan, number 4908 meaning temple, tabernacle, dwelling place or
tent. Mishkan is from the word shakan, number 7931 meaning to abide, dwell, or
inhabit. God states in verse eight that He will, dwell, or shakan, with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
need to remember that the children of Israel had just experienced God’s
presence as a “consuming fire” with all the associated thunderings and
lightnings upon the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 24:17 NKJV 17 The sight of the
glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the
eyes of the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
people were afraid and wanted only Moses to go speak with God on the mountain,
but now God wants them to build Him a holy place in their midst. So that He can
be right in the middle of their camp! This mishkan or sanctuary in the center
of their camp in the wilderness would be a constant reminder that, in spite of
God’s holiness, He will descend from His glorious place in heaven and dwell
with them in their desert conditions here on earth!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
apostle John makes a clear statement about Yeshua dwelling among us in his
gospel account when he states in John 1:14 that…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 1:14 NKJV 14 And the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the Greek text of John, the word skay-no’-o is used, number 4637 literally
meaning to tent or encamp! Yeshua came to dwell or encamp with us! In this case
the “tent” is Yeshua’s human body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
LORD was to “dwell among them.” How was this to be accomplished? How can the
creator of the universe “dwell” in any single building or tent? Isaiah says
that the entire universe is His dwelling place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 40:22 NKJV 22 It is He who sits
above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who
stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to
dwell in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah
goes on to say that God needs no human-built dwelling place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 66:1 NKJV 1 Thus says the LORD:
"Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that
you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
the items that the children of Israel gave in the Terumah offering were to be
used to build and furnish a sanctuary, a holy place for God to dwell! Each item
had a purpose and a place in the sanctuary or to be made into garments for
those who would minister in the sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
sanctuary in the camp becomes the central focal point and reveals several
aspects of God’s character. He is both eternal, omniscient, and omnipresent, as
well as present in the here and now on earth with His people. The prophet
Isaiah summed it up nicely in Isaiah 57:15 where he says…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 57:15 YLT 15 For thus said the
high and exalted One, Inhabiting eternity, and holy is His name: `In the high
and holy place I dwell, And with the bruised and humble of spirit, To revive
the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of bruised ones,'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
aspects of God’s character, His transcendence and immanence, His distance and
proximity are reflected in the Tabernacle in both its construction and function.
There were three levels of holiness associated with the Tabernacle that are
reflected in the materials used in its construction. The gold was the most holy,
used in the holy place and the most holy place. Then silver, then to bronze and
copper used in the outer courts and in the construction of the sacrificial
altar and laver. Later we see this same hierarchy reflected in the quality and
intricacy of the textiles. In the holy of holies these are described as being
“made with skillful craftsmen” incorporating intricate design work (26:1). The
curtains over the entrance of the tent are made of “finely twisted linen, the
work of a color weaver” (26:36) And finally, the outer courtyard surrounded by
monochromatic fabric described as simply “woven” (27:18). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
construction of the tabernacle would involve all the people. From those who
willingly gave their offerings of materials and supplies, to the gifted and
skillful artisans who built it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first item for the Tabernacle mentioned is the Ark of the Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:10-12 NKJV 10 "And they
shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a
cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 "And you
shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall
make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 "You shall cast four rings of
gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side,
and two rings on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
cubit was a common unit of measurement in the ancient near east. Generally
thought to be the length of the forearm from the tips of the fingers to the
elbow which is about 18 to 20 inches. We can see, from the dimensions given,
that the finished Ark would not be particularly large roughly just over four
feet in length by two feet wide and two feet high.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
wood commonly identified for the construction of the Ark is acacia or shittah.
It comes from one of the few trees that would be growing in the wilderness area
where the children of Israel camped. It is a beautiful hardwood used to this
day for flooring and furniture. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
ark was covered completely in gold and would reside in the completed Holy of
Holies in the Tabernacle. There were poles use to transport the Ark, fitted
through rings at the corners of the Ark. These poles were never to be removed
and the finished ark would never be touched again by human hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:13-15 NKJV 13 "And you
shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 "You shall
put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be
carried by them. 15 "The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they
shall not be taken from it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Ark had a special cover on it called a “mercy seat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:17-21 NKJV 17 "You
shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length
and a cubit and a half its width. 18 "And you shall make two cherubim of
gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 "Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you
shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.
20 "And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy
seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the
cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. 21 "You shall put the mercy seat
on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give
you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as mercy seat is the Hebrew kapporeth, number 3727 which
literally means lid, but come from the root word kaphar, number 3722 which
means to cover, cancel, or make atonement. Even the Rabbis who later translated
the Hebrew Bible into a Greek text called the Septuagint, understood the
significance of atonement by using the Greek word hil-as-tay’-ree-on, which
means atonement or propitiation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the top of this mercy seat were two cherubim. These two cherubim faced each
other with wings spread as if acting a guards over the Ark. This calls to mind
Genesis 3:24.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 3:24 NKJV 24 So He drove out
the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a
flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
place between the two cherubim on the lid on the Ark, or kapporeth inside the
holy of holies, becomes the focal point of divine revelation where the God of
the universe will reside on earth! It is here that God would meet with Moses
and later with Aaron and the following high priests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:22 NKJV 22 "And there I
will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from
between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about
everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Only
the Ark of the Covenant, Aaron’s staff, a jar of manna, the tablets of the Ten
Words, and a Torah scroll that Moses would write just before his passing would
be inside the holy of holies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
were other important items in the Tabernacle just outside the curtain which
overed the holy of holies. One of these items is a small table made in a
similar manner as the Ark of the Covenant and placed on the north side of the
inner sanctuary, or what was known as the holy place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:23-27 NKJV 23 "You
shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit
its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 "And you shall overlay it
with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around. 25 "You shall make
for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding
for the frame all around. 26 "And you shall make for it four rings of
gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs. 27
"The rings shall be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear
the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
table would be the place for what is known as “the bread of the presence.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:28-30 NKJV 28 "And you
shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table
may be carried with them. 29 "You shall make its dishes, its pans, its
pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold. 30
"And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was not unknown among the ancient cultures to place food items before their
gods, but for Israel there was an important and key difference. The showbread,
which consisted of twelve loaves, was not located inside the holy of holies in
the presence of God. The showbread, along with the other sacrifices and
offerings were either completely consumed in fire, eaten by the priests, or
consumed by those who brought them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps
the most important item that is in the Tabernacle holy place, is the menorah,
the seven-branched lampstand. It is located on the south side of the holy place
opposite the table of the showbread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:31-32 NKJV 31 "You
shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered
work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers
shall be of one piece. 32 "And six branches shall come out of its sides:
three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the
lampstand out of the other side. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of
all the items in the Tabernacle, the menorah is the most well-known, religious
and national symbol of national Israel. For more than 2000 years it has been
depicted on coins, mosaics, lamps, jewelry and many other items. Today it is
perhaps the most recognized Jewish symbol other than the Star of David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of the most interesting thing about the instruction given for making the
menorah is that there is no size designation. Tradition has it that it was
approximately three cubits high. However, one feature that stands out is the depiction
of botanical items in its design. It’s as if the menorah is representation of
the Tree of Life. The menorah is described as having a stem, branches, petals,
and cups, just like one would find on a tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:33-37 NKJV 33 "Three
bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob
and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch,
with an ornamental knob and a flower-and so for the six branches that come out
of the lampstand. 34 "On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made
like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. 35 "And
there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under
the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of
the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. 36
"Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be
one hammered piece of pure gold. 37 "You shall make seven lamps for it,
and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
menorah was to be the one and only light source within the holy place of the
sanctuary. One lamp of it was to always be lit, and was used to light the
others six lamps once fresh oil was put in them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
is so much time and effort given to the construction of the Tabernacle? Are
these instructions more important than the moral codes given in the previous
Torah portions and interspersed throughout the rest of the Torah? Seven
chapters of Exodus are devoted exclusively to the Tabernacle and repeated again
in the book of Numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
building of the Tabernacle was a test of their obedience. It was to begin with
the voluntary offering of the materials to be used in its construction. These materials
God Himself provided when He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. The people
added in their skilled labor and, in a unified effort, following the
instructions given to Moses by God on the mountain, they built the Tabernacle
and all its parts. In this way, the covenant at Mount Sinai is then fully ratified.
God provided the materials, the people provided the skilled labor, then God
would take them as His people, live among them, and they would be His light in
a darkened world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The first item that the children of
Israel were to build is the Ark of the Covenant, with the mercy seat, or cover
described separately. Discuss the purpose and function of the mercy seat. How
is this a reflection of Messiah?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discuss the three levels of holiness
represented in the construction and function of the Tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Menorah is the third item that the
people were instructed to build. What is its purpose? Aside from representing
the Tree of Life, what other things are possibly represented in the
construction and function of the menorah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the teaching, we briefly mentioned the
construction of the various textiles used in the Tabernacle. What is their
purpose in their various applications. (Reference Exodus 26)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discuss the numbers found in this Torah
Portion. Where do you see the numbers three, seven, ten, and twelve
specifically. Where do we find these numbers appearing, and what is their
significance?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-73518786325764132702024-02-07T16:54:00.000-05:002024-02-07T16:54:01.752-05:00Torah Portion Mishpatim – The Book of the Covenant<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/H6x9KF3ywME"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/H6x9KF3ywME</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus 24:1-18 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah portion for this week contains the section of the Torah commonly called
the Book of the Covenant. After the children of Israel heard and saw God’s
voice flash with light and roar with thunder from Mt. Sinai, they were so
afraid that they implored Moses to speak to God for them. Moses could, then,
relay God’s words to them and they would do all that Moses commanded according
to the word of the LORD. Moses agreed to be their intermediary with God. As we
continue through the book of Exodus, we will see that Moses frequently went out
to meet with God and always did things “according to the word of the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
instructions given in these chapters were written down by Moses. When he
presented them to the people, he called them the Book of the Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 24:7 NKJV 7 Then he took the
Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said,
"All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
instructions were included in the Book of the Covenant? There are actually not
many instructions included in this book. Additional details and other statutes
were added later. So, why were these particular provisions chosen in this
initial set of instructions and judgments? What does this reveal about their
covenant with God? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the thunderings and lightnings of God’s voice finished speaking the ten words
which would later be inscribed on the tablets of stone, God’s presence remained
over Mt. Sinai. The children of Israel remained standing at a distance from the
mountain, but Moses drew near entering into the thick cloud that surrounded the
mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 20:21 NKJV 21 So the people
stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
had stated earlier that He came to Moses in the thick cloud so that the people
would know that God spoke to Moses and that they would believe all the words
that he spoke came from God. The children of Israel saw that Moses once again
entered the thick cloud. The words that God spoke to Moses at this time were
written in the Book of the Covenant. The first words were about their worship
of God, specifically about building an altar to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 20:24-25 NKJV 24 'An altar of
earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings
and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I
record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you. 25 'And if you make Me
an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your
tool on it, you have profaned it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
altar they were to build for God was not to be an elaborate structure such as
the pagans built. It was to be built only with earth or unworked stones. These
materials were not to be carved or formed by any work of man; they were to be
made solely with the materials of God’s creation. In the Ten Words, God
declared that there should be no image made to represent Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
altar that had been improved upon by the works of man would take the focus away
from God and divert it to the altar itself. The children of Israel had just
come out of Egypt with her multitude of gods and idols. God’s people needed to
learn that their God, Yehovah, was not a God to be worshipped through carved
images or likenesses of creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the instructions about the altar, God turned to judgments about how the
children of Israel were to treat each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 21:1 NKJV 1 "Now these are
the judgments which you shall set before them:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word “judgments,” is the Hebrew word “mish-pawt,” number 4941 in Strong’s
Concordance, meaning a verdict, or a judicial sentence or decree. A verdict or
decree is usually in response to a specific situation or question that comes
before the court. In these chapters, God declares His ruling about specific
situations that set the tone for their dealings with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first situation is that of slavery. Remember, the backdrop of these rulings is
that God had just taken the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The
subject of slavery was a sensitive topic. Should Israel continue the common
practice of slavery to deal with crimes and debt? In our culture, we deal with
crimes by sentences of prison and deal with debts by confiscating property and
future earnings. What method would God enact to deal with these issues? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 21:2 NKJV 2 "If you buy a
Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out
free and pay nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Slavery
or servitude was to be allowed in Israel, but the term of the slavery was
limited to six years. Further, all the Hebrew servant’s debts at that time were
to be considered as paid. He would go out from servitude owing nothing. In
fact, when the servant is freed, he is to be provisioned with all he needs to
get a fresh start.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 15:13-15 NKJV 13 "And
when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away
empty-handed; 14 "you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from
your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD has blessed
you with, you shall give to him. 15 "You shall remember that you were a
slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I
command you this thing today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
God freed the children of Israel from Egypt, He made sure that they were
provisioned by the Egyptians when they were freed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 12:35-36 NKJV 35 Now the
children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked
from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And
the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they
granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
will later expound on the conditions of this servitude stating that all Hebrews
who sell themselves into servitude because of a debt will be set free on the
year of Jubilee whether or not they have served the full six years or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
is to remind them that the children of Israel are actually God’s servants whom
He brought out of slavery! They are not to be returned to permanent slavery nor
are they to be treated harshly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 25:40-43 NKJV 40 'As a hired
servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the
Year of Jubilee. 41 'And then he shall depart from you-he and his children with
him-and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of
his fathers. 42 'For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of
Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. 43 'You shall not rule over him with
rigor, but you shall fear your God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
slavery or indentured servitude is far different than the slavery practiced by
the surrounding nations. It allows for a man to pay his debts or make
restitution for a crime and then have an opportunity to have a new start.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
rules for a female servant are different and reflect the dependent nature of a
woman in those days. The conditions for her servitude ensure both provision and
protection as does the judgment concerning a virgin who had been assaulted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22:16-17 NKJV 16 "If a man
entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay
the bride-price for her to be his wife. 17 "If her father utterly refuses
to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next
after the conditions of servitude, God addresses the issue of violence.
Premeditated murder requires the death of the murderer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 21:12-14 NKJV 12 "He who
strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 "However,
if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will
appoint for you a place where he may flee. 14 "But if a man acts with
premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take
him from My altar, that he may die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those
who have caused the death of person accidentally can flee to one of the cities
of refuge that God appointed in the Promised Land. Right before the children of
Israel enter the Promised Land, God gave further details about accidental death
and the cities of refuge. Someone who causes the accidental death of a person
may flee to a city of refuge and be safe from family members of the victim who
would avenge the blood of the slain person. Once in the city of refuge, he must
stay within the boundaries of the city until the death of the current high
priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numbers 35:25 NKJV 25 'So the
congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood,
and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled,
and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed
with the holy oil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next set of judgments is about being responsible for one’s livestock and items
entrusted to one’s care. This section also addresses how to deal with someone
who steals livestock, other items, or misuses another person’s property. Each
of these situations requires that restitution be made. If the offender cannot
pay the restitution, he is to be sold into servitude and all the rules of
servitude then apply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not
only is the mistreatment of servants and women prohibited, but so is the
mistreatment of any vulnerable member of the society.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22:21-24 NKJV 21 "You
shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in
the land of Egypt. 22 "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless
child. 23 "If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I
will surely hear their cry; 24 "and My wrath will become hot, and I will
kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children
fatherless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Again,
we need to remember that the context of these judgments is that God had brought
the children of Israel out of Egypt where they had been oppressed because they
were not Egyptian; they were strangers. The children of Israel were not to
treat strangers in their as they were treated in Egypt. As for the women and
children, in general, their protection would be the responsibility of the head
of the family. However, in the case of the widow and orphan without the
protection of family, God emphatically states that He is their head and their
protector. Those who afflict the widow and the orphan would face the direct
wrath of God! This judgment is to remind them that they were once afflicted as
slaves in Egypt, and they are not to treat others that way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 24:17-18 NKJV 17 "You
shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a
widow's garment as a pledge. 18 "But you shall remember that you were a
slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I
command you to do this thing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those
who are poor, though not quite in the same category as the widow and orphan,
are to be treated in such a way so that they can get out of poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22:25 NAS95 25 "If you
lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a
creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a whole, these judgments imply a generosity to those in need, the stranger,
widow, orphan, and poor. This generosity is also to apply to God. They are not
to hold back in their offerings to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22:29-30 NAS95 29 "You
shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. The firstborn
of your sons you shall give to Me. 30 "You shall do the same with your
oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth
day you shall give it to Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next judgments were about the integrity in carrying out God’s judgments.
Without this integrity, the judgments set out by God would be no better than
the oppression the children of Israel experienced in Egypt. Witnesses were not
to bring a false report, and judges were not to show favoritism to the wealthy
and powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:1-3 NKJV 1 "You shall
not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an
unrighteous witness. 2 "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall
you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. 3
"You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
reminds the people that fairness in carrying out God’s judgments also applies
to the stranger!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:9 NAS95 9 "You shall
not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger,
for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “feelings” is “neh-fesh,” number 5315, meaning a breathing
creature. The children of Israel know what it is like to live as mistreated and
oppressed people in Egypt. Since they know what this is like, they are not to
use the justice system to mistreat the stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
instructions to Moses for the children of Israel now returns to where they
started – how they are to worship God. These instructions set aside specific
times that are to be observed. The first is the sabbatical year. Like the
weekly Sabbath, God tells them to observe a yearly Sabbath every seventh year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:10-12 NKJV 10 "Six
years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, 11 "but the
seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people
may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner
you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. 12 "Six days you
shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and
your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may
be refreshed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During
this Sabbath year, the fields, vineyards, and orchards are to be open to the
poor so that they may eat and be refreshed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition to the Sabbath year, God set aside three times each year that the
children of Israel were to hold a festival to the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:14-17 NKJV 14 "Three
times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: 15 "You shall keep the
Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I
commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came
out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); 16 "and the Feast of
Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and
the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the
fruit of your labors from the field. 17 "Three times in the year all your
males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “feast” in verse fourteen is the Hebrew word “Kwaw-gag,”
number 2287, meaning to move in a circle or to march in a sacred procession.
Moving in a circle could imply the idea of dance. A sacred procession invokes
the image of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem accompanied
by the procession of priests and the dancing of David. These feasts required
the procession of all the males in the land to the place where God would
inscribe His name. Because of this, these three festivals are known as
pilgrimage feasts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
concludes the judgments that Moses wrote in the Book of the Covenant. At this
point, God explains what He would do to bring the people into the land He had
chosen for them. He states that He would send His angel to lead them into the
Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:20 NKJV 20 "Behold, I
send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place
which I have prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the children of Israel enter the land, they are to overthrow the inhabitants
and not adopt any of their customs especially those they use to worship their
false gods. God then refers to three specific events on their journey from
Egypt to Mt. Sinai; healing the waters at Marah, providing manna in the
Wilderness of Sin, and providing water at Rephidim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 23:25-26 NKJV 25 "So you
shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And
I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26 "No one shall suffer
miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
promised to defeat their enemies like He defeated the Amalekites. God’s
presence would surely go with them and lead them!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
are the words that God commanded Moses to write in the Book of the Covenant. To
ratify this covenant, God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders
up onto the mountain where previously they could not go. While there, Moses
read the words of the Book to them, and they agreed to do all that God
commanded them through Moses. These particular provisions were included to
separate them from the practices of the Egyptians. Each judgment included in
the book emphasized that they were not to afflict others because they had
experienced affliction while in Egypt. They had experienced slavery, so they
were not to enslave others. They had experienced injustice, so they were not to
be unjust to others. They had experienced poverty and grief, so they were not
to oppress those who were going through those same afflictions. They had
experienced what it was like to be a stranger and treated unfairly, so they
were not to treat the stranger unfairly. They were instead to support and help
those going through hard times. They were to worship and honor the One who
brought them out of the slavery and affliction of Egypt and had claimed them as
His own special people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How do these judgments, including the
provisions for slavery, work together to protect vulnerable members of the
society?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">These judgments are qualified repeatedly
with the declaration that the children of Israel were once slaves and strangers
in Egypt. How is it an essential part of the foundation of these judgments?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The judgments included in the Book of the
Covenant are sandwiched between instructions for building an altar for God and
instructions to observe the three pilgrimage feasts. What could be a reason for
placing the judgments between these instructions?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Book of the Covenant not only
included judgments and instructions for the children of Israel, it included
God’s promise to send His angel to lead them, bring them into the Promised
Land, and drive the Canaanites out of the land. Why is this an essential part
of the Book of the Covenant?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How do these judgments and instructions
encourage generosity towards each other and towards God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-50658409274910887902024-02-01T08:21:00.004-05:002024-02-01T08:21:46.774-05:00Torah Portion Yitro – A Nation of Priests<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/WvGJM0PEmIo"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/WvGJM0PEmIo</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
scripture reading is Exodus chapter 19<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Torah portion Yitro, the children of Israel finally arrive at Mt. Sinai and
receive God’s commandments. But it’s important to look at where the journey
began. When God sent Moses to Pharaoh for the first time, Moses relayed the
words that God had given him to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 5:1 NKJV 1 Afterward Moses and
Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My
people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
we examine this verse, we see that Moses uses the name of God, Yehovah, and
introduces Him as the God of Israel. Yehovah claims the children of Israel as
His own and requires that they leave Egypt to hold a feast. In this week’s
portion, the children of Israel have now arrived at Mt. Sinai to hold that
celebration to the LORD. What does this reveal about the nature of God as the
children of Israel are about to personally encounter Him? What kind of Nation
will God prepare them to be? And what does this encounter at Mount Sinai tell
us about Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Their
journey began on the first day of the month of Nisan or Abib when God told the
children of Israel to begin the counting of days and the beginning of months. They
arrived at Mount Sinai on the first day of the third month.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:1 NKJV 1 In the third month
after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same
day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
time from when they left Egypt on the fifteenth of Nisan to their arrival at
Mount Sinai, was forty-four or forty-five days. After their arrival, God needed
to get the children of Israel ready for the festival. God repeatedly calls
Moses up the mountain and then sends him down with instructions for the people.
The big event they are waiting for happens fifty days from their probable
departure from Succoth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
is significant about the time period of fifty days? It was because God is connecting
two events. Later, when God sets up the appointed times for Israel to celebrate
each year, He connected two Feasts by having them count the fifty days between
them. The first of these two appointed times is the day of Firstfruits which
falls on the Sabbath immediately following the Passover. Fifty days later is
Shavuot which is the day God spoke to the children of Israel from Mount Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 23:15-16 NKJV 15 'And you
shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that
you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.
16 'Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer
a new grain offering to the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
timing of these events is critical and points to Messiah Yeshua. Yeshua died on
Passover as the Passover Lamb, on the same day that the children of Israel
sacrificed the lamb in Egypt, placing it’s blood on the doorposts and lintels of
their homes. From that Sabbath day following the Passover, the children of
Israel were to count fifty days to the next appointed time called Shavuot. The
word Shavuot means seven or week referring to the seven weeks, or forty-nine
days completed leading to the fiftieth day, the feast day. In our English
Bibles it is called Pentecost, which is from the Greek text and means fifty. This
feast of Shavuot or Pentecost coincides with the events at Mt. Sinai! In the
time of Yeshua, following His resurrection, the disciples gathered in the
Temple on Shavuot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acts 2:1 NKJV 1 When the Day of
Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
saw in the last Torah portion that during the last two weeks of the journey of
the children of Israel to Mount Sinai, they received the manna from God for the
first time, God also gave them water from the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
taught His disciples that He was both the manna from heaven and the water of
life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 6:35 NKJV 35 And Jesus said to
them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and
he who believes in Me shall never thirst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
taught His disciples that because they followed Him, the world would hate them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 15:18-19 NKJV 18 "If the
world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you
were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the children of Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai, there are hints in the text that they
had united as one people or nation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:2 NKJV 2 For they had
departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the
wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
don’t see anything in the English translation that catches our immediate attention,
but in the Hebrew the word translated as “camped” is in the singular form. First
Fruits of Zion in <u>Shadows of the Messiah</u> explains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The sages derived from this (use of
the singular form of the verb “camped”) that the people came to Mount Sinai in
perfect unity, and they encamped as one man. They merited to receive the
revelation of the Torah because of their unity of spirit.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/17%20-%20Yitro%20-%20A%20Nation%20of%20Priests/17%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Yitro%20-%20A%20Nation%20of%20Priests.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the disciples of Yeshua gathered together on Shavuot ten days after His
ascension, they were also together, united in one accord as we read previously in
Acts 2 verse 1!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
Israel gathered at Mount Sinai, God called Moses up to the mountain to explain
His intentions for the children of Israel. God began by telling Moses to remind
the children of Israel that He was the one who brought them to the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:3-4 NKJV 3 And Moses went up
to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you
shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have
seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and
brought you to Myself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
later referred to God caring for Israel in the wilderness like an Eagle caring
for her young.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 32:11-12 NKJV 11 As an
eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking
them up, Carrying them on its wings, 12 So the LORD alone led him, And there
was no foreign god with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
declared that He came to bring Jerusalem under His wings and care for her, but
she was not willing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 23:37 NKJV 37 "O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are
sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen
gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even
though the people of Israel were not willing to be taken under Yeshua’s wings, at
the Feast of Shavuot following Yeshua’s ascension, Jews from around the Roman world
gathered at Jerusalem to observe this appointed time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acts 2:5 NKJV 5 And there were
dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Mount Sinai, after reminding the children of Israel that He had brought them
out of Egypt, God told Moses to tell the people what He required of them now
that they were in His presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV 5 'Now therefore,
if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a
special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you
shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words
which you shall speak to the children of Israel."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Mount Sinai, God was preparing the people to enter into a new covenant with
Him! They alone, of all the peoples of the Earth, had been chosen to be God’s
special treasure! There were conditions of this covenant that would soon be
spelled out, but for now, God indicates that the essential provisions of the
covenant are that they obey God’s voice and observe and guard His words. In
return, God will keep and guard them as a special treasure. The word “treasure”
in exodus 19:5 is “seg-ool-law” number 5459 in Strong’s Concordance meaning to
shut up as in wealth or treasure. Just as a treasure is protected, God will
protect His people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like
Moses relaying the instructions from God to the people, following His
resurrection, Yeshua instructed His followers about the things written by Moses
and the prophets that were about Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 24:44-45 NKJV 44 Then He said to
them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with
you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses
and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Mount Sinai, God goes on to explain the role that the children of Israel will
have. They are to be a kingdom of priests and a set apart nation. They are not
to be the only nation. Just like Aaron and his sons were set apart to be
priests within the nation of Israel, so Israel itself is set apart as a nation
to be a priest to the other nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
described the role of His disciples as that of witnesses to His death and
resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 24:46-48 NKJV 46 Then He said to
them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to
suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 "and that repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem. 48 "And you are witnesses of these things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter
describes this role as that of a royal priesthood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Peter 2:9 NKJV 9 But you are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Mount Sinai, Moses communicated God’s words to the people, and they accepted
the covenant stating that they would do all that the LORD had spoken. Then the
people would see God speak to Moses from out of the cloud. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:9 NKJV 9a And the LORD said
to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may
hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
children of Israel would believe Moses forever because they heard God speak to
Him. Yeshua spoke about the people believing Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 5:46-47 NKJV 46 "For if you
believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 "But if
you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Yeshua was on the Earth, God spoke to Him in the presence of witnesses three
separate times: at His baptism, at His transfiguration and finally in the
temple after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 12:27-28 NKJV 27 "Now My
soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But
for this purpose, I came to this hour. 28 "Father, glorify Your
name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified
it and will glorify it again."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Mount Sinai, when it was time for God to appear to the people. God established
boundaries around the mountain which they were not to cross. God then told them
to prepare for His coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:10-11 NKJV 10 Then the LORD
said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow
and let them wash their clothes. 11 "And let them be ready for the third
day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight
of all the people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the third day, Moses was to bring the people to the base of the mountain when
they heard the sound of the shofar. As the day began on the sixth day of the
third month, the trumpet of God sounded. God would soon appear!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 19:16-19 NKJV 16 Then it came
to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and
lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was
very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses
brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot
of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD
descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and
the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded
long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
mountain shook, and the voice of God sounded long proclaiming the conditions of
the covenant. The word “thunderings” is the Hebrew word “quol,” number 6963
meaning to call aloud, a voice, sound or thundering voice. The word
“lightnings” is baw-rawk, number 1300 meaning lightnings or a flashing sword.
The Jewish tradition is that the lightning appeared as tongues of fire touching
each person in the camp at the same time that they heard the voice of God. The
voice of God sounded in all the languages of the earth, but only Israel heard
and answered. As the trumpet sounded, Moses spoke, and God answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the day of Shavuot, Yeshua’s disciples were gathered in the Temple, along with
the other Jewish pilgrims who had come from all around the Roman world, it was
at the ninth hour, at the time of evening prayers initiating the festival
service. At that time, the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit fell
on each of the disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acts 2:2-4 NKJV 2 And suddenly there
came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues,
as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the disciples spoke, the other Jews who had come for the festival, heard the
disciples praising God in their own languages while still others heard only
gibberish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acts 2:6-8 NKJV 6 And when this sound
occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone
heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled,
saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8
"And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were
born?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the sound of the rushing mighty wind entered the temple at Shavuot fifty days
after Yeshua rose from the dead, some of the people accepted that Yeshua was
the Messiah sent by God, but others rejected Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the end of the age, when the last trumpet of God sounds long and loud, God will
not only shake the mountain, but He will shake the whole earth. The writer of
Hebrew urges his readers not to reject the voice of God!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 12:25-26 NKJV 25 See that you
do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who
spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who
speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has
promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also
heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, they came to celebrate a
festival to the LORD. The covenant process which began in Egypt at the Passover
was completed at Mount Sinai fifty days later. When Yeshua’s disciples gathered
at the temple for Shavuot, they received the New Covenant Yeshua had promised
them at the previous Passover. The gift of the Holy Spirit was the seal guaranteeing
this New Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV 21 Now He
who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also
has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Yeshua comes again, He will fulfill the promise of the Holy Spirit and gather
His people to God’s Holy Mountain in Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 2:2-3 NKJV 2 Now it shall come
to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be
established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, "Come,
and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of
Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
the children of Israel, the events at Mount Sinai are the beginning of their
establishment as a nation, united under God. The instruction they received on
that first Shavuot, establish the Feast Days as both a memorial of their
experiences, and a dress rehearsal for events yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
events at Mount Sinai foreshadow the Shavuot immediately following Yeshua’s
death and resurrection. As we celebrate the Feast of Shavuot, or Pentecost, we
are looking forward to a time when Yeshua returns, taking His rightful place on
the throne of David in Jerusalem, and the children of Israel will fulfill their
role as priests to the nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God brought the children of Israel out
of Egypt and into covenant with Him at Mount Sinai. The New covenant, in turn,
was extended to Israel, as well as the Gentiles through Messiah Yeshua. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will God extend the invitation again when He
gathers the children of Israel at the end of the age? What will be the result?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Exodus 19:9, God said He let the
people hear Him speak to Moses so the people would believe Moses forever? What
were the people to believe Moses about and why was it so important? What is the
context of Yeshua’s reference in John 5:46?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God placed boundaries around Mount Sinai
when He gathered the people to speak to them. What was the purpose of the
boundaries? Are there boundaries in place today? If so, what are todays
boundaries?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There were disagreements and
differences of opinion among the early disciples in the body of believers. The
book of acts records many such differences. How were the disciples “in one
accord” if there are disagreements among them? How can we be in one accord?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is the function of a priest in
the Biblical sense? How was the nation of Israel to be a priesthood to the
other nations? How does this same principle apply to believers in Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">insights
did you gain from this teaching? What other indicators are there in this Torah
Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bonus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this teaching, we never mentioned the
namesake of this Torah portion, Yitro, or Jethro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who was Jethro, and what was his role in
relation to the exodus story?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/17%20-%20Yitro%20-%20A%20Nation%20of%20Priests/17%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Yitro%20-%20A%20Nation%20of%20Priests.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Torah Club. Shadows of the Messiah. Book Two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>D. Thomas Lancaster. First Fruits of Zion. 800.775.4807. <a href="http://www.ffoz.org/">www.ffoz.org</a>. Page 397<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-16858264837472142852024-01-23T14:49:00.004-05:002024-01-23T14:49:39.198-05:00Torah Portion Beshalach - By Way of the Wilderness<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/ip2thjPu-HI"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/ip2thjPu-HI</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus 15:1-21<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
Torah portion includes the famous song of Moses which the Jewish people call
the Song of the Sea. It extols God’s mighty works especially those of bringing
the children of Israel across the Red Sea on dry land. Because the Torah
portion includes the reading of this song, this Sabbath is called the “Shabbat
Shirah” or the Sabbath of the Song. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah portion begins with Pharaoh sending the people out of Egypt. As Pharaoh
sent them out, God took control and led them on their journey. However, God
didn’t take the children of Israel on the easy well-traveled road up the coast
to the Promised Land. He took them on the more difficult route through the
wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 13:18 NKJV 18 So God led the
people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of
Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
didn’t God take the children of Israel along the quick and easy path to the
Promised Land? What places and events did God guide them to experience while on
their journey? What did He want the children of Israel to learn? What can we
learn from their journey?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Each
step of the journey that the children of Israel took on their way, first to Mt.
Sinai, and on to the Promised Land, was orchestrated by God. Paul tells the
Corinthians that the events experienced by the children of Israel on their way
to Mt. Sinai are an example for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Corinthians 10:11-13 NKJV 11 Now all
these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who
thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you
except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to
be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the
way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
what are these lessons and how do they apply to us at the end of the ages? These
lessons began when they left Succoth, their first stop after leaving Ramses,
when the Shekinah glory first began to lead them as a pillar of cloud by day
and a pillar of fire by night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
why didn’t God lead them on the easy path to the Promised Land? The stated
reason is that the children of Israel might change their minds and turn back to
Egypt if they had to fight along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 13:17 NKJV 17 Then it came to
pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of
the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest
perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to
Egypt."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
well-traveled trade route up the coast along the Mediterranean Sea was
protected by forts that were put in place by the Egyptians. In order to travel
this route, the children of Israel would be constantly confronted by Egyptian
troops. The <u>NKJV Study Bible</u> explains:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Egyptians had heavily fortified
this coastal route for their own defensive purposes. The people might have been
forced into battle with the Egyptians before they were prepared.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/16%20-%20Beshalach%20-%20By%20Way%20of%20the%20Wilderness/16%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Beshalach%20-%20By%20Way%20of%20the%20Wilderness.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
the route itself would have made for easy travel, the journey itself would have
been filled with battles they weren’t ready to face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
were, of course, several other reasons for the path that God chose for the
children of Israel. One of those reasons was that, although their final
destination was the Promised Land, they had to make a crucial stop along the
way. When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, He told Moses that he was
to bring them to serve God on that same mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 3:12 NKJV 12 So He said,
"I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have
sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on
this mountain."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
going into the Promised Land, Moses and Aaron were to bring the children of
Israel to meet God on the mountain where Moses first encountered God in the
burning bush and where Aaron joined Moses to accompany him back to Egypt. Mt.
Sinai was far from the coastal route to the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the children of Israel left Succoth, it seems that Moses and Aaron got lost.
They had already traveled the path to Mt. Sinai when Aaron came out to meet
Moses and again on their return to Egypt, so they knew the way. In fact, it
seems that God got lost as well. He was the one leading them with His angel and
the Shekinah glory. Instead of leading the people to the easiest place to cross
the Red Sea and, from there, on to Mt. Sinai, God led them in a wandering path
that left them trapped at the shore of the Red Sea. However, God was really
setting a trap for Pharaoh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:1-3 NKJV 1 Now the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn
and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon;
you shall camp before it by the sea. 3 "For Pharaoh will say of the
children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed
them in.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Pi Hahiroth, number 6367 in Strong’s Concordance, means “the mouth of the
gorges.” God led the children of Israel to the Red Sea through a series of
gorges which opened up at the Red Sea. The children of Israel were seemingly
trapped with the Red Sea in front of them and a narrow gorge behind them.
Pharaoh could bring his armies down the gorge and the children of Israel would
have no way to escape. That’s exactly what happened, God strengthened Pharaoh’s
heart in his resolve not to let the people go after all, and seeing that the
children of Israel had trapped themselves, he set out to bring them back into
captivity—all according to God’s plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:4 NKJV 4 "Then I will
harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over
Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the
LORD." And they did so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the children of Israel saw the armies of Pharaoh coming, they had to wonder
about the path that God led them on. Why would He trap them there as sheep for
the slaughter? Had God turned against them?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:10-11 NKJV 10 And when
Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the
Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of
Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there
were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why
have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
didn’t know what was going to happen, but He knew that God would bring about a
miraculous deliverance. He instructed the people to stand still and witness
God’s salvation. Good advice for the most part, however, God’s deliverance
required action on their part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:15-16 NKJV 15 And the LORD
said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go
forward. 16 "But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea
and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the
midst of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
was to lift his rod and stretch it over the sea. This was the rod Moses used to
demonstrate God’s signs to the elders when he first returned to Egypt to demand
that Pharaoh let God’s people go to worship Him. Moses demonstrated God’s power
and authority over the sea. Just like in creation when God spoke and divided
the waters from the waters bringing forth dry ground, now He divided the waters
of the Red Sea and dry ground appeared. The children of Israel who grew into a
great nation while in Egypt, now become a new creation, a new nation. God would
bring them to Mt. Sinai to define for them what kind of nation they would be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
God didn’t just want the children of Israel to cross the sea on dry ground; He
had plans for Pharaoh and his army. God strengthened their resolve to pursue
the Israelites into the sea even though they encountered the dark side of God’s
shekinah glory, even though they saw the waters of the Red Sea piled up in
heaps on either side of dry ground over which the children of Israel fled. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:17-18 NKJV 17 "And I
indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So
I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his
horsemen. 18 "Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I
have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his
horsemen."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
children of Israel crossed on dry ground. But the Egyptian army that followed
them encountered the waves of water crashing back around them as Moses
stretched out his hand over the sea once more. The army of Pharaoh was
destroyed in the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:30-31 NKJV 30 So the LORD
saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the
Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the
LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD
and His servant Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
accomplished His purpose for supposedly allowing the people to be trapped
between the gorge and sea. He attained honor over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt,
and He, also, caused the people to fear Him and believe Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
fear and faith were reflected in the song that Moses led the children in
singing after they crossed the Red Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:1 NKJV 1 Then Moses and the
children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will
sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He
has thrown into the sea!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
song concludes as the children of Israel look forward to God taking them into
the Promised Land! They equate crossing the Red Sea to crossing over into the
land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:15-16 NKJV 15 Then the
chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take
hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. 16 Fear and dread
will fall on them; By the greatness of Your arm They will be as still as a
stone, Till Your people pass over, O LORD, Till the people pass over Whom You
have purchased.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You
would think that the lesson had been learned. It should be easy traveling to
Mt. Sinai now that they had crossed the sea and Pharaoh’s army was destroyed.
However, God knew that the people had more to learn. He led them three days
into the wilderness and brought them to a watering hole that for some reason
had been fouled. They couldn’t drink the water. At the Red Sea, they faced an insurmountable
army; now they faced an enemy that couldn’t be fought. They faced the lack of
water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:23 NKJV 23 Now when they
came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter.
Therefore the name of it was called Marah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
a second time, the children of Israel feared that they would die. If they drank
the water available to them, they would surely get sick and die. However, once
again, God had planned this ahead of time. He told Moses to throw a tree into
the water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:25-26 NKJV 25 So he cried
out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the
waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance
for them. And there He tested them, 26 and said, "If you diligently heed
the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to
His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on
you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals
you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
associated the bitter waters with the plagues He had used to bring judgment on
Egypt. After the elation they experienced when they crossed the Red Sea, would
they remember to serve God or would they turn back to the gods of Egypt? Would
they continue to listen to God’s voice and follows His commandments and
statutes which they would receive in detail at Mt. Sinai?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
continued to lead the children of Israel on a steady pace to Mt. Sinai. Exactly
one month after leaving Egypt, the stores of food that they had brought with
them began to run low. How would they get enough food to feed over two million
people? Up until now, the children of Israel had relied on their own stores of
food. Now, they would learn to look to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 16:4 NKJV 4 Then the LORD said
to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people
shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them,
whether they will walk in My law or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
will later explain the nature of this test. God was testing not only if they
would come to rely on Him each day, but that they would listen to His voice
each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 8:2-3 NKJV 2 "And you
shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in
the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart,
whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 "So He humbled you,
allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did
your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread
alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
quoted this passage in Deuteronomy when He was tempted in the wilderness by
Satan. Yeshua demonstrated that He listened to God’s voice at all times. When
Yeshua taught His disciples to pray, He told them to ask each day for bread.
The daily bread we are to ask for is not just food for our bodies, but food for
our souls. We are to listen to God’s words every day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next trial the children of Israel experienced once again had to do with water.
This time it isn’t bitter waters, but no water at all! God dealt with bitter
water and lack of food, now He deals with lack of water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 17:5-6 NKJV 5 And the LORD said
to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders
of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and
go. 6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you
shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may
drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
was to gather together the elders of the people to witness how God would
provide the water of life. In front of the people, Moses was to take his staff
that he used to strike the Nile River and turn its water into blood; this time,
he was to use the staff to strike a rock. When Moses strikes the rock, God
would be standing on it, and water would flow out from the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
said that it was necessary for Him to be struck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 24:46 NKJV 46 Then He said to
them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to
suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
said that drinking the water that He provides is to drink from the Living
Water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 4:13-14 NKJV 13 Jesus answered
and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14
"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.
But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
God provided water from the rock, He addressed their physical thirst. Even
though God demonstrated His presence through the pillars of cloud and fire, the
children of Israel had begun to question whether God was really with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 17:7 NKJV 7 So he called the
name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children
of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among
us or not?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
answer to this question was to allow the Amalekites to attack them while they
were there at the same place where God had provided water. Moses chose Joshua
to lead the armies of Israel against the Amalekites, but the battle really
wasn’t Joshua’s to win or lose. Moses was to stand over the battle with his
staff in his hand and his arms raised. As long as Moses stood with arms raised,
the children of Israel prevailed. When Moses’ arms dropped, the Israel’s were
beaten back. With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses was able to keep his arms
raised until Joshua defeated the Amalekites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 17:14-16 NKJV 14 Then the LORD
said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in
the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek
from under heaven." 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name,
The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the
LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
is the ongoing fight with Amalek? This battle was in answer to question, “Is
the LORD among us?” God demonstrated through victory over Amalek that He was
with them. Moses built an altar there and called the altar “Yehovah nissi,”
meaning “The LORD Is My Banner.” Yes, the LORD is among us. Every time we fight
against those who would prevent us from continuing on our journey to the
Promised Land, we can know that God is among us. He is our banner if we look up
to see Him, like the children of Israel looked up to see Moses on the hill with
his staff in his hand and arms raised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
didn’t take the children of Israel on the quick path to the Promised Land. They
needed to learn to fear God and have confidence that He could defeat the armies
of the Canaanites. They needed to be reminded that God rewards those who seek His
righteousness and punishes those who do evil. They needed to know that God
would provide for the physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. And
underlying all of these events is the promise of the greater Messiah to come. God
is among His people. Let us sing the Song of the Sea together with Moses and
the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What were God’s purposes in leading the
children of Israel to Pi-hahiroth, a place that seemingly trapped the children
of Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What is the connection between the bitter
waters at Marah and the plagues on Egypt? How is this a lesson to the children
of Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How were the manna and the water from the
rock providing for both physical and spiritual needs? How does Yeshua refer to
the manna and the water (John 6:22-40, John 7:37-39)?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. How is Paul referring
to the journey of the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai? What did Paul say the
journey was to teach them? How are these things an example to us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the Song of the Sea reflect the
children of Israel’s newfound fear of God and faith in His deliverance (Exodus
14:31-15:21)? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/16%20-%20Beshalach%20-%20By%20Way%20of%20the%20Wilderness/16%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Beshalach%20-%20By%20Way%20of%20the%20Wilderness.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>NKJV
Study Bible</u>. General Editor Earl D. Radmacher, Th.D. Thomas Nelson
Publishers. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1997,
2007 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Page 111.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-77793396544908390582024-01-20T11:06:00.006-05:002024-01-20T11:06:58.371-05:00Torah Portion Bo – Do Not Have the Heart of Pharaoh<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/FKPyUICXdMc"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/FKPyUICXdMc</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading:
Exodus 10:1-11:10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
week’s Torah portion picks up with the last three plagues of God’s judgment on
Egypt just prior to Moses leading the children of Israel out of bondage and
ultimately to the Promised land. The account of the plagues reads like a contest
between God and Pharaoh. As the portion Bo begins, we read that God hardened
Pharaoh’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 10:1-2 NKJV 1 Now the LORD said
to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts
of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 "and
that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty
things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that
you may know that I am the LORD."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
plagues that God brought on Egypt were a direct challenge to the gods of Egypt
proving that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was and is the one and only true
God and creator of the universe. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He could
demonstrate that He is God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
people think that Pharaoh should not be held accountable for his refusal to let
the children of Israel go because it was God who hardened his heart. At least,
this is what our English translations lead us to believe. A closer examination
of the original Hebrew reveals something a little different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
we examine these scriptures involving the interaction of Pharaoh and Moses, we
see the English word hardened, as in Exodus 10:1 above. But in the original
Hebrew text there are two different words in play. The Hebrew word for hardened
in the case of Pharaoh making his own heart hard, as in Exodus 10:1 which we
just read, is #3513 in the Strongs Concordance, kabad, meaning to be heavy. As
in making one’s own heart heavy in that one would not be moved or changed. But
when it comes to God making Pharaoh’s heart hard, the word used is “Chazak”,
#2388, meaning to be strong or courageous, determined. God made Pharaoh
courageous and determined in his heart to stand firm in his position regarding
the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Exodus 9:34 and 35 we see how both Hebrew words are used.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 9:34-35 NKJV 34 And when
Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet
more; and he hardened (kabad) his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart
of Pharaoh was hard (chazaq); neither would he let the children of Israel go,
as the LORD had spoken by Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pharaoh
was determined that he would not let the children of Israel go; He held this
position strongly. We could read this passage as saying, “Pharaoh made his
heart unmovable; the heart of Pharaoh was strong!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
did God want this contest between Himself and Pharaoh to continue? Moses tells
us that the purpose is so God can demonstrate His sovereignty before Pharaoh,
that the children of Israel would testify of God’s mighty works, and that the
children of Israel would know that God is Yahweh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was considered the mediator between the gods and the
world of man as well as a god himself. Pharaoh is representative of the
Egyptian god Sobek. Sobek is depicted in Egyptian art and hieroglyphics as a
king with the head of a crocodile. Pharaoh was both high priest and king for
the Egyptian people. For Pharaoh to humble himself before God, would mean to
acknowledge that the God of Moses and the Hebrews is greater than all the gods
of Egypt. To allow the children of Israel to go serve a different god other
than the Egyptian gods, Pharaoh would have to step back from his role of
mediator between the gods and man. He would have to acknowledge the sovereignty
of Yahweh! In the heart of Pharaoh, that is not even remotely possible. God was
looking for Pharaoh to humble himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 10:3 NKJV 3 So Moses and Aaron
came in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of the
Hebrews: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people
go, that they may serve Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pharaoh
refused to change his heart, so God continued to strengthen Pharaoh’s resolve
not to let the children of Israel go and continued to display His mighty works
before all of Egypt. These mighty works amounted to judgments against the
Egyptian gods represented in each of the ten plagues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
second purpose of the contest between God and Pharaoh was so that the children
of Israel would testify of God’s mighty works. The Song of the Sea that they
sang after crossing the Red Sea testifies that there is no one like God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:11 NKJV 11 "Who is like
You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in
praises, doing wonders?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
children of Israel were to teach their children in generation after generation about
the mighty works God did among them. The result was that they would know that
He is God. Again, in Exodus 10:2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 10:2 NKJV 2 "and that you
may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have
done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know
that I am the LORD."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “know” is #3045, “yada” meaning to know by seeing or
perceiving, to know by experience. God wanted the children of Israel to truly experience
His power and sovereignty, including those in later generations. The children of
Israel experienced God’s power as He brought the plagues, and His sovereignty
was demonstrated as He differentiated between His people and the Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
Torah portion begins with the plague of locusts covering the land of Egypt and
eating every green thing and every fruit that was left after the plague of
hail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 10:4-6 NKJV 4 …if you refuse to
let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. 5
'And they shall cover the face of the earth, so that no one will be able to see
the earth; and they shall eat the residue of what is left, which remains to you
from the hail, and they shall eat every tree which grows up for you out of the
field. 6 'They shall fill your houses, the houses of all your servants, and the
houses of all the Egyptians-which neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers
have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.'" And he
turned and went out from Pharaoh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Following
the locusts was a plague darkness which covered the land of Egypt for three
days, but there was light in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel
lived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 10:22-23 NKJV 22 So Moses
stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the
land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise
from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in
their dwellings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
final plague, the death of the firstborn, demonstrated God’s mercy. Anyone who
sacrificed the Passover Lamb and put its blood on the doorposts and lintels of
their homes, dwelled safely within the protection of the blood. Anyone who did
not sacrifice the Passover Lamb and put the blood on the doorposts and lintels
of their home, lost the firstborn of that household. This plague affected
everyone. The children of Israel as well as the Egyptians directly experienced
God’s mighty works. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because
of God’s actions in Egypt, not only did the children of Israel come to know their
God in a powerful way, but the surrounding nations would hear of this and fear
the coming of the Hebrew people and their powerful God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:14-15 NKJV 14 "The
people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of
Philistia. 15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To
this day the events of this exodus from Egypt are commemorated in the Feasts of
Passover and Unleavened Bread. The Jewish people, along with those of us
grafted in, continue to teach about the events of the Exodus and God’s mighty
power. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the time of Yeshua, The Jewish people were teaching their children how God judged
Pharaoh and delivered them. They were teaching their children that He would
deliver them again as Moses and the prophets revealed! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
this time in history, when the nation of Israel was once again under great
oppression, this time by occupation of the Roman Empire, they were again looking
for a deliverer; one like Moses. They were looking for the overthrow of Roman
rule and the reestablishment of the kingdom of Israel by a descendent of David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
sent Yeshua to bring a message of repentance to the Jewish people as well as to
the Gentiles. Especially those Gentiles who had joined themselves to the Jewish
people and their God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
year, at the celebration of the Passover in Jerusalem, Yeshua died as the
Passover Lamb and was raised from the dead three days later on the Feast of
Firstfruits. Over the next forty days while He was present with his disciples,
Yeshua commanded them to testify to God’s salvation through His resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 24:46-48 NKJV 46 Then He said to
them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to
suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 "and that repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem. 48 "And you are witnesses of these things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unlike
Pharaoh, Yeshua was and is the true mediator between God and man. Paul writes
to Timothy in 1<sup>st</sup> Timothy 2:4-5 that it is God… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Timothy 2:4b-5 NKJV 4b …who desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is
one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
nations were to be told that He is coming again. Yeshua spoke of that day in
Matthew 24:14.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 24:14 NKJV 14 "And this
gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the
nations, and then the end will come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
goes on to say that great tribulation would come, and after this tribulation,
Yeshua would return.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 24:29-30 NKJV 29
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man
will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and
they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua’s
return would be preceded by great darkness like the three days of darkness in
the land of Egypt. The tribes of the earth would mourn like they mourned in
Egypt at the death of the firstborn. God’s power would once again be
demonstrated for all to see! Only this time, not just a single country or
kingdom, but the entire world would witness the power and judgments of God!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
people will once again be separated out as the time of judgment and wrath would
fall on the nations, just like the children of Israel were separated out in
Goshen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 24:31 NKJV 31 "And He
will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather
together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Harvest of the Earth will begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 14:14-15 NKJV 14 Then I
looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of
Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And
another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat
on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for
You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
those who believe Yeshua and call on His name will be gathered to Him, just like
those who put the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts and lintels of
their homes dwelled safely while in Egypt. All those who are not in the company
of Yeshua and written in His book of life, will face destruction like those who
did not put the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts and lintels of
their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 20:12-15 NKJV 12 And I saw
the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged
according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The
sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead
who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of
fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
both the case of acceptance of Yeshua, and with the children of Israel in
Egypt, the blood of the Passover Lamb brought life; without the blood of the
Passover Lamb, death was and is certain. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those
who are victorious once again sing of victory like the children of Israel sang
after the crossing of the Red Sea. They sing the Song of Moses and the song of
the Lamb!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 15:3-4 NKJV 3 They sing the
song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
"Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are
Your ways, O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify
Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship
before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pharaoh
hardened his heart; he made it heavy and unmovable. He refused to humble
himself and acknowledge that God alone is God, and that God would provide His
own mediator to bring men to the knowledge of the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the time of Yeshua, many of the Jewish people, especially the leaders and the
teachers, should have recognized Yeshua as the Messiah because they had the
words of the Father through Moses. Instead, they had the heart of Pharaoh.
Yeshua himself said they hardened their hearts as He quoted the prophet Isaiah
in John 12:37-40.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 12:37-40 NKJV 37 But although He
had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the
word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who
has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been
revealed?" 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should
see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So
that I should heal them." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word “harden” in this verse is the Greek word Po-ro-o, #4456, meaning to petrify.
This word is equivalent to the Hebrew kabad. They, literally, made their heart
so hard it was like stone! It was so heavy and so hard; they made their hearts
unmovable!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today
the nations of the world face the same choice as Pharaoh and the leaders of
Yeshua’s day. Will the nations of today’s world humble themselves and
acknowledge that God is sovereign? The Psalmist tells us that most of the
nations will be like Pharaoh and harden their hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 2:1-3 NKJV 1 Why do the nations
rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set
themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against
His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away
Their cords from us."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like
the death of the firstborn in Egypt, it will be preceded by darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zechariah 14:6-7 NKJV 6 It shall come
to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It
shall be one day Which is known to the LORD-Neither day nor night. But at
evening time it shall happen That it will be light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
will send a plague against all those who fight against Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zechariah 14:12 NKJV 12 And this shall
be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against
Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their
eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their
mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a result, all the nations will know that God alone is God and worthy to be
worshiped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zechariah 14:16 NKJV 16 And it shall
come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts,
and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
have a choice. We can be like Pharaoh or the teachers of Yeshua’s day. Or we
can choose to hear God’s voice and humble ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 4:7 NKJV 7 again He designates
a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as
it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your
hearts." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today,
we have the opportunity to accept Yeshua as our mediator with God. We have the
opportunity to repent and receive the remission of our sins. We have the
opportunity to have our names written in the book of life. Do not have the
heart of Pharaoh. Make your heart light, and open to hearing the words from our
Father. He is worthy of all our praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How do the events surrounding and leading
up to the death of the firstborn reflect the grace and mercy of God?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Further analyze the two Hebrew words
translated as “hardened” in our English Bible. (#3513 kabad, and #2388 Chazak.)
How does the meaning of these two words change, or effect our perception of
Pharaoh and his interactions with Moses and Aaron?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In what ways is Yeshua’s message of
repentance also the message of Moses and Aaron to both The Egyptians and the
Hebrews?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When faced with the plague of locusts,
what was the compromise that Pharaoh offered Moses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does this play out in our world today? In
both the secular and religious circles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the placing of the blood of the
Passover Lamb on the doorposts and lintels of the homes in Egypt reflect, or is
a foreshadow of salvation through Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-82947792430755779262024-01-11T08:25:00.002-05:002024-01-11T08:27:23.186-05:00Torah Portion Va’erah – These are the Same Aaron and Moses<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/laUUhS0PWzc"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/laUUhS0PWzc</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Exodus 6:2-7:13<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
book of Genesis revolves around the accounts of two brothers—Cain and Abel,
Abraham and Haran, Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Judah and Joseph,
Manasseh and Ephraim. Up until Manasseh and Ephraim the relationship between
the brothers was adversarial. With the birth of Manasseh and Ephraim, the
relationship was cooperative and supportive. This role of cooperative brothers
continues into the book of Exodus. In fact, these two brothers, Aaron and Moses,
are the central human characters in the book of Exodus. We tend to focus on
Moses as the agent of God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt,
but what role does his brother Aaron play? What is their joint role and what is
the underlying message God is communicating through this continuance of the
accounts of two brothers?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the book of Exodus opens, the children of Israel are afflicted and in bondage
in Egypt. In spite of their suffering, they were fruitful, their numbers
multiplying so quickly that Pharaoh was frightened at the potential strength of
those numbers. As the suffering of the children of Israel grew worse, two sons
were born to Jochebed and Amram of the tribe of Levi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:20 NKJV 20 Now Amram took for
himself Jochebed, his father's sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and
Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
is often the case, there is a message in the names Levi, Amram, Jochebed, Aaron
and Moses. The name Levi, number 3878 in Strong’s Concordance, means attached
or joined. When Leah gave birth to Levi, she declared that at last her husband
would become emotionally attached to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 29:34 NKJV 34 She conceived
again and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will become
attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name
was called Levi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aaron
and Moses’ parents were Amram and Jochebed, both of the tribe of Levi. The name
Amram, number 6019, means a high people. The name Jochebed, number 3115, means
Jehovah glorified. The name Aaron is not defined in Strong’s Lexicon. However,
the Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon defines the meaning of Aaron as
“light-bringer.” Easton’s Bible Names and other lexicons define Aaron as
meaning “teacher, mountain of strength, or illuminator.” As a teacher, Aaron
would bring the light of Torah to his people. Moses’ name was given to him by
Pharaoh’s daughter when she pulled him out of the Nile River. His name, number
4872, means drawing out or rescued. However, the name his mother gave him at
birth was probably “Tovia,” from the declaration Jochebed made at his birth
that the child was goodly, or in Hebrew, tov.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 2:2 KJV 2 And the woman
conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she
hid him three months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amram
and Jochebed had an older child, a daughter named Miriam. Her name, number
4813, means rebelliously. Jochebed rebelled against Pharaoh’s edict and saved
the life of her son Moses. Miriam was the older sister Jochebed instructed to
watch over Moses as he floated in the basket in the Nile River. An alternate
definition of Miriam’s name is “bitter” from the Hebrew word “mar,” number 4751,
meaning bitter. Chabad.org follows this origin of the name Miriam explaining
that she was named Miriam because she was born during the period of bitter
bondage in Egypt.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
what do all these names tell us about these two brothers? The bitterness of
bondage is relieved when a high people are attached to the glory of God. A
light-bringer or teacher comes who is good and will bring about the rescue of
his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
do we know about Aaron and Moses’ joint role? A literary structure often found
in the Bible is that of a chiasm. A chiasm is a symmetric writing pattern that expresses
an idea in a reverse order around a central theme. A chiasm located right after
the genealogy of Aaron and Moses reveals their purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:26-27 NKJV 26 These are the
same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring out the children of
Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies." 27 These are the
ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel
from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
chiasm contains three layers. The outer layer is a declaration of their names,
first given in birth order with Aaron listed first, and ending with a
restatement of their names given in preeminence of their role with Moses listed
first. The second layer is the parallel statements that they are the ones God
commanded to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. Right in the middle is
the statement that “these are the one who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt. This
is the center of the chiasm. Aaron and Moses, Moses and Aaron were selected to
bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. They will go together to speak to
Pharaoh. How wonderful it is to have a brother at one’s side! As we continue,
we will see that this chiasm is actually included within a larger chiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’re
familiar with Moses’ story. He was taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter and educated
in Pharaoh’s household. When he was forty years old, he fled Egypt after
killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was abusing two Hebrew slaves. He went to
Midian where he spent forty years tending the sheep of his father-in-law,
Jethro. While tending sheep, God appeared to him in the burning bush and
declared that He had selected him to deliver the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 3:10-11 NKJV 10 "Come now,
therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the
children of Israel, out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am
I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel
out of Egypt?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
objected that he wasn’t worthy or perhaps capable of such an honor. Moses had
not been able to relieve the suffering of his people while he was in Egypt. He
killed one harsh taskmaster, but instead of embracing him, the two Hebrews he
saved from the taskmaster rejected him. God persisted stating that He would be
with Moses, and, further, that God would give him signs to perform to prove
that God had sent him. Moses persisted in his objections on the grounds that he
wouldn’t know what to say and how to say the words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:10-13 NKJV 10 Then Moses said
to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You
have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."
11 So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the
mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 "Now
therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall
say." 13 But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever
else You may send."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even
though the LORD reassured Moses that God would give him the words to say, Moses
begged God for the third time to send someone else. This angered God. God
declared that Moses’ brother Aaron would speak for Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:14-16 NKJV 14 So the anger of
the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite
your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to
meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 "Now you
shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your
mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. 16 "So
he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth
for you, and you shall be to him as God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
revealed to Moses that, even as they were speaking on the mountain, Aaron was
already on his way to meet him! In fact, Aaron was anticipating their meeting
with gladness in his heart. We also know that Aaron was gifted in his speech
and had probably already been used by God to speak to their people. So, how did
God communicate his anger against Moses? <u>The Stone Edition Chumash</u> relates
the Jewish sage Rashi’s opinion that Moses would have been the high priest, but
because of his rejection of the role to speak to Pharaoh, Aaron became the high
priest instead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Aaron was born a Levite and was
intended to remain one, while Moses was elevated to be a Kohen. Now, because of
Moses’ constant attempts to evade the mission, their positions would be
reversed, with Moses remaining a Levite and Aaron becoming the Kohen.”<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instead
of Moses hearing directly from God and relaying the message to Pharaoh, Moses
would relay it to Aaron who would speak to Pharaoh. God explained that Aaron
would be the mouth and Moses would be as God telling him what to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
Moses went to his father-in-law to seek permission to return to Egypt. After
receiving the permission and blessing of Jethro, Moses returned to Mt. Sinai to
await the arrival of Aaron whom God had sent to meet him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:27-29 NKJV 27 And the LORD
said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and
met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. 28 So Moses told Aaron all the
words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded
him. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the
children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
two brothers, united in purpose, returned to Egypt. Their first act was to
gather the leaders of the children of Israel. With Aaron as the spokesman,
Moses performed the signs that God had given to Moses to use to prove that God
had sent them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:30-31 NKJV 30 And Aaron spoke
all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the
sight of the people. 31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the
LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their
affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
and Aaron, then, gained an audience with Pharaoh. Their demands to Pharaoh that
he should let the children of Israel leave Egypt to hold a feast to the LORD
resulted in even greater hardship being placed on the Hebrews. This enraged the
elders and they blamed Moses and Aaron for the increased suffering of the
people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 5:20-21 NKJV 20 Then, as they
came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them.
21 And they said to them, "Let the LORD look on you and judge, because you
have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his
servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
God had warned Moses that Pharaoh would not let them go and that He would
strengthen Pharaoh’s heart so Pharaoh would not back down, Moses did not
foresee that things would get worse for the Hebrews before God brought
deliverance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 5:22-23 NKJV 22 So Moses
returned to the LORD and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this
people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 "For since I came to Pharaoh to
speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered
Your people at all."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
assured Moses that everything was going according to His plan. Pharaoh’s
rejection of their demand allowed God to act and bring about deliverance on His
terms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:1 NKJV 1 Then the LORD said
to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong
hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his
land."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
introduces the broader chiasm that includes the chiasm mentioned earlier with
the central theme that Aaron and Moses would go together to speak to Pharaoh. Although
everything was now set up just the way God wanted it to bring deliverance,
Moses doubted his ability to lead. As a result of Pharaoh making their
servitude harder, the elders were no longer listening to Moses. How could he
expect that Pharaoh would listen to him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:12 NKJV 12 And Moses spoke
before the LORD, saying, "The children of Israel have not heeded me. How
then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
outer layer of the chiasm is Moses’ declaration that he has uncircumcised lips
and Pharaoh will not pay attention to his words. However, God didn’t accept
Moses’ doubt bringing us to the next level in the chiasm. God issued a command
to both Moses and Aaron to bring His people out of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:13 NKJV 13 Then the LORD
spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a command for the children of Israel
and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land
of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now
we come to the center of the chiasm which consists of two parts. The first part
is the genealogy of Levi revealing that Aaron and Moses are sons of Levi. The
second part of the central theme is actually the earlier chiasm revealing Aaron
and Moses’ mission to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
now reverse out of the chiasm with the LORD telling Moses to command Pharaoh to
let the people go. The chiasm concludes with Moses once more stating that he
has uncircumcised lips, and that Pharaoh will not listen to him. Moses, again,
expresses that he did not have confidence that Pharaoh would listen to Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:28-30 NKJV 28 And it came to
pass, on the day the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 that the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying, "I am the LORD. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all
that I say to you." 30 But Moses said before the LORD, "Behold, I am
of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
summary, the form of this chiasm consists of the outer layer, found in verses
12 and 30 that Moses states that he has uncircumcised lips and Pharaoh won’t
listen to him. The next layer, found in verses 13 and 29, is God’s command to
speak to Pharaoh to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. The center of
the chiasm is the revelation of Aaron and Moses as the sons of Levi and the
ones God chose to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. In spite of Moses’
lack of eloquence, in spite of Pharaoh’s refusal to hear, God chose Aaron and
Moses to act together to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. This is the
central theme of both chiasms, one nested inside the other!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
responds to Moses’ claim that Pharaoh won’t listen to him by agreeing with
Moses that Pharaoh won’t listen. However, that sets up the opportunity for God
to bring judgment against Pharaoh and his gods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:4-5 NKJV 4 "But Pharaoh
will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and
My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
5 "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My
hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Together,
Aaron and Moses obey the word of the LORD. From now on, they will express no
doubt as to the mission that God had called them to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:6-7 NKJV 6 Then Moses and
Aaron did so; just as the LORD commanded them, so they did. 7 And Moses was
eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And,
thus, begins the battle between the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and the
gods of Egypt! Moses and Aaron will go into Pharaoh together. Moses will speak
the words to Aaron, and Aaron will relay them to Pharaoh. It will seem to
Pharaoh as if Moses is God, and Aaron is his prophet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:1-2 NKJV 1 So the LORD said
to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother
shall be your prophet. 2 "You shall speak all that I command you. And
Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of
his land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first sign they were to give to Pharaoh is to turn Aaron’s staff into a
crocodile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:9 YLT 9 `When Pharaoh
speaketh unto you, saying, Give for yourselves a wonder; then thou hast said
unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast before Pharaoh--it becometh a monster.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Hebrew word translated as “monster” in the Young’s Literal Translation is the
word “tan-neen,” number 8577 meaning a marine or land monster. In modern
Hebrew, “tan-neen” means crocodile! Most of the English translations translate
the word as snake or serpent which seemingly connects this back to the sign
Moses was to perform for the children of Israel turning his staff into a
serpent and then picking it up by the tail as it turns back into a staff.
However, the Hebrew word for serpent is “naw-khawsh” not “tan-neen.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aaron
threw down his staff and it became a crocodile, the monster of the Nile River. Somehow,
Pharaoh’s magicians are able to replicate this miracle. So, there are
crocodiles crawling all around. However, Aaron’s crocodile consumes the other
crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:11-12 YLT 11 And Pharaoh also
calleth for wise men, and for sorcerers; and the scribes of Egypt, they also,
with their flashings, do so, 12 and they cast down each his rod, and they
become monsters, and the rod of Aaron swalloweth their rods;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
ancient Egypt, the crocodile was the god Sobek which is associated with the
power of Pharaoh, fertility, and military prowess.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Aaron and Moses challenged Pharaoh’s power and military might! This sets up the
judgments on Egypt that will follow with the ten plagues. These plagues
culminate in the death of the firstborn including Pharaoh’s firstborn. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
gave the two brothers, Aaron and Moses the task of working together to bring
the children of Israel out of Egypt. As God’s chosen men, they would bring
God’s judgment on Pharaoh and deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
wrote a psalm, preserved for us as Psalm 133, proclaiming that it is good when
brothers dwell together in unity. He compares it to the image of Moses
anointing Aaron’s head as he inaugurates him as the first high priest of
Israel. Aaron, as the high priest would act as mediator between God and the people
and teach them how to live. Together, priest and king, they would lead the
children of Israel to the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
are the same Aaron and Moses!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1. Where
does Aaron first appear in the Exodus narrative? What is his role leading
up to the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt? Are there hints of
his future role of High Priest?</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. There is a partial listing of the generations of Jacob starting
with Reuben and ending with the Aaron and Moses, the grandsons of Levi.
Why do you think this partial genealogy of Leah’s first three sons is
given?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. We examined a nested set of chiasms in this portion. What do
these chiasms reveal?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. God told Moses to have Aaron throw down his staff and it became a
crocodile. What is the significance of this sign? How does it differ from
the signs God told Moses to show to the children of Israel?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5. Exodus 6:6-7 are probably two of the most quoted verses in
Exodus. They communicate God’s promise to the children of Israel. Yet,
when Moses spoke those words, the children of Israel didn’t listen to
Moses (Exodus 6:9). Why didn’t they believe Moses? How is their unbelief
turned around?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">6. What other </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -24px;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">W</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3847875/jewish/Popular-Jewish-Hebrew-Girl-Names.htm<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. General Editiors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi
Meir Zlotositz. Mesorah Pulbications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000 Mesorah
Publications, ltd. Page 309.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/14%20-%20Va-Era%20-%20This%20is%20Aaron%20and%20Moses/14%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Va'era%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Same%20Aaron%20and%20Moses.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sobek<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-84960751512019900832024-01-04T07:05:00.004-05:002024-01-04T07:05:51.036-05:00Torah Portion Shemot - These are the Names<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/WQwSmL5JFXg"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/WQwSmL5JFXg</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
Exodus chapters 1 & 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
we begin the second book of the Torah, we see that it opens by listing the
names of all the sons of Israel who went into Egypt because of the severe
famine in the land of Canaan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 1:1-5 NKJV 1 Now these are the
names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household
came with Jacob: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and
Benjamin; 4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 All those who were descendants of
Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
book of Exodus, or in Hebrew, Shemot, means names. This book focuses on the
sons of Israel and their time in exile in Egypt, their redemption from bondage,
and their time in the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
they began their sojourn in Egypt, they are quite prosperous. They possessed
the best and most fertile land in all of Egypt and live in harmony and peace
with their Egyptian hosts. Over the course of their 430 years stay in Egypt,
the promises from God that they would become a great nation will be fulfilled. But
as we will see in this series covering the book of Exodus, their situation will
take a dramatic change. How do the names recorded in this book lead us to the
redeemer of Israel and, ultimately, the whole world?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
names of each of the sons of Jacob who entered Egypt with their entire
households, reflects God’s blessings. When we take the meanings of the names,
each name reflects an aspect of redemption. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
list of names is not in their birth order and begins with the six sons of Leah;
they are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Reuben is number 7205 in the Strong’s Concordance meaning to look or see,
and Simeon, number 8095, means hearing. God saw and heard the cry of His
people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 2:24-25 NKJV 24 So God heard
their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and
with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Levi, number 3878, literally means attached. God has joined Himself to the
children of Israel in His declaration that they were His people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:7 NKJV 7 'I will take you as
My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your
God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Judah, number 3063 meaning celebrated, comes from a root word, number 3034,
meaning praise. The children of Israel would praise God for this deliverance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:2 NKJV 2 The LORD is my
strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will
praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Issachar, number 3485, is from two root words together meaning, he will
bring a reward. The children of Israel received their wages or reward when they
left Egypt with the wealth of Egypt given to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 3:22 NKJV 22 "But every
woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house,
articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on
your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
last son of Leah is Zebulun number 2074 which is from a root word, number 2082,
meaning to reside or dwell. When they left Egypt, God said that He would dwell
among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 25:8 NKJV 8 "And let them
make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the listing of Leah’s children, the Torah lists Rachel’s son Benjamin, number
1144, whose name means son of the right hand. God will bring the children of
Israel out of Egypt with His strong right hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 15:6 NKJV 6 "Your right
hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed
the enemy in pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next sons listed are those of the handmaidens of Leah and Rachel. Here we have
Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. The name Dan is number 1835 and means judge. God
brought the children of Israel out of Egypt with judgment against Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 7:4 NKJV 4 "But Pharaoh
will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and
My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
seems to be an interesting word play with the next two names in the list. The
name Naphtali, number 5321, which means my wrestling. It sounds similar to
“no’feth,” number 5317, the Hebrew word for honeycomb. The Jewish sages liken
the name Naphtali to receiving the Torah which the Psalmist says is sweeter
than the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 19:10 NKJV 10 More to be
desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob’s
prophecy over Naphtali reveals that Naphtali uses beautiful words. We can also
look at the literal meaning of wrestling to refer to the contest between God
and Egypt. God will ultimately win, and the Children of Israel will receive the
Torah as a sweet reward or gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next son in the list is Gad, number 1410, from a related word, number 1413, meaning
to gather or assemble in troops. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 6:26 NKJV 26 These are the same
Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring out the children of Israel
from the land of Egypt according to their armies."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Gad also sounds similar to the Hebrew word for coriander, number 1407. The
manna was described as being like a coriander seed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 16:31 NKJV 31 And the house of
Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the
taste of it was like wafers made with honey.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
the names Naphtali and Gad, we see that God provides for His people throughout
their redemption process. He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt in
troops or armies and fed them with “wafers made with honey.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next son in the list is Asher, number 836, meaning happy. When Asher was born
by Leah’s handmaiden, Leah pronounced that she was happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 30:13 NKJV 13 Then Leah said,
"I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed." So she called
his name Asher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
list ends with Joseph, the son who was already in Egypt. Joseph, number 3130,
means let him add. God would add to this redemption a second redemption even
greater than the first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jeremiah 16:14-15 NKJV 14
"Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "that it
shall no more be said, 'The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel
from the land of Egypt,' 15 "but, 'The LORD lives who brought up the
children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He
had driven them.' For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to
their fathers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
these names also refer to the blessing of a son. The entire meaning of the name
Reuben, who is the first son listed in this account, means “Look, a son.” And we
see that the list is perfectly bookended with the implied meaning of Joseph’s
name that God will add. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rachel
declared at Joseph’s birth that God would add another son. So, the redemption of
the children of Israel begins and ends with the son and the return of the son,
foreshadowing the future Messiah!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
account, at the beginning of the book of Exodus about Jacob’s sons, concludes
with the statement that there were seventy descendants who lived in Egypt. The
number seventy is a number associated with the nations of the earth. Later,
Moses explains the connection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 32:8 NKJV 8 When the Most
High divided their inheritance to the nations, When He separated the sons of
Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the
children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
number seventy tells us that God’s redemption includes the nations as well as
Israel. Egypt was the land in which the children of Israel were in slavery to
Pharaoh. The children of Israel were redeemed out of this slavery. Paul speaks
of the redemption from the slavery to sin. Therefore, Egypt represents the
world of sin and the flesh in which all of the sons of Adam are in slavery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 6:16-17 NKJV 16 Do you not know
that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slave
whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to
righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet
you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
deeper meaning of these opening verses of Exodus or Shemot is that the promise
of redemption is, literally, from slavery in Egypt and, metaphorically, from
slavery to sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
children of Israel had a good life in Egypt. They prospered and multiplied just
as God had promised they would. They stayed in Egypt many generations beyond
the end of the famine that brought them to Egypt in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
some point in the future, perhaps a few generations later, following the death
of Jacob, Joseph, the brothers and all their families, a new Pharaoh rose to
power who saw this multitude of people as a threat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 1:8-10 NKJV 8 Now there arose a
new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people,
"Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we;
10 "come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it
happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against
us, and so go up out of the land."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pharaoh
conscripted the Hebrew men to build cities for him keeping them from tending
their flocks and farming their land, and, thus driving them into poverty and
slavery. Despite everything Pharaoh did, the Hebrew people continued to
multiply. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 1:11-13 NKJV 11 Therefore they
set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built
for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted
them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children
of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fearing
the rising numbers and influence of the Hebrews, Pharaoh responded by declaring
first, that all Hebrew boys were to be killed at birth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 1:15-16 NKJV 15 Then the king
of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and
the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, "When you do the duties of a
midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son,
then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
this action did not prove successful, Pharaoh ordered that baby boys be thrown
into the Nile River at birth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 1:22 NKJV 22 So Pharaoh
commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast
into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
this time we see the birth of Moses, who is the central character in the rest
of the Exodus account. He is the one sent by God to redeem God’s people from
their bondage. The name Moses is number 4872 meaning drawing out of the water. Moses’
parents already had two children, Miriam and Aaron. Yet the Bible tells us that
a man from the tribe of Levi married a woman from the same tribe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 2:1-2 NKJV 1 And a man of the
house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman
conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she
hid him three months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weren’t
they already married? The Talmud explains a Jewish tradition that many of the
Hebrew men divorced their wives so they would not be tempted to father a child
that would then be killed at birth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First
Fruits of Zion in <u>Shadows of the Messiah</u> explains the Jewish tradition
about the marriage of Moses’ mother and father and the conception of Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Talmud states that Amram (the
father of Moses) divorced his wife Jochabed after the birth of Aaron and
Miriam. Later, he remarried her after receiving a prophecy instructing him to
do so. What is more, the Talmud suggests Amram’s wife had miraculously
conceived during his absence—though she had known no man.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/13%20-%20Shemot%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Names/13%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Shemot%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Names.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
Moses’ birth, Jochebed, his mother, describes him as a beautiful child. The
literal translation of Exodus 2:2 reads that “she saw that he was good.” Traditionally
a male child is named on the eighth day. Since Jochebed called him a good
child, perhaps his original given name was Tovia, derived from the Hebrew tobe,
number 2896, which means good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later,
when she could no longer hide the child from the order of Pharaoh to throw all
the baby boys into the Nile, Jochebed devised a plan to save him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 2:3-6 NKJV 3 But when she could
no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with
asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's
bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5
Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens
walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent
her maid to get it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and
behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is
one of the Hebrews' children."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
daughter of Pharaoh took the child as her own and raised him in the household
of Pharaoh. It was Pharaoh’s daughter who named the child Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses
grew up in Pharaoh’s household. He received an education the same as that of a
natural born son would receive. It is apparent that Moses knew of his heritage
as a Hebrew while growing up. One day when he was forty years old, Moses saw
the mistreatment of two fellow Hebrews and sought to intervene killing the
taskmaster who had mistreated them. However, these two Hebrews did not
appreciate his intervention and taunted Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 2:14 NKJV 14 Then he said,
"Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as
you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this
thing is known!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a result of the Hebrews rejecting Moses’ intervention, Moses was forced to flee
from Egypt. He spent his next forty years in exile. But back in Egypt, conditions
got much worse for the children of Israel. Finally, they cried out to God for
help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
heard their cry and chose Moses to redeem the children of Israel from their
afflictions. At first Moses was not so sure of this calling of God. Moses asked
God what signs he could show the people so they would know that God had sent
him. God gave Moses two signs. The first was to turn his staff into a serpent
and back into a staff again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:2-5 NKJV 2 So the LORD said
to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3
And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground,
and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses,
"Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his
hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5 "that they may
believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
sign was to remind Moses that God has the authority over creation! By grasping
the serpent by the tail, and having it turn back into a staff, God is
demonstrating that He was taking back the authority over creation that Satan
had stolen from Adam! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
second sign God gave to Moses was to show the children of Israel his authority
over uncleanness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 4:6-7 NKJV 6 Furthermore the
LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his
hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like
snow. 7 And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put
his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was
restored like his other flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses’
hand turning leprous represents Moses, as the one sent to redeem his people, taking
on the uncleanness of the people. His hand, then, becoming clean again. These
signs that Moses was to perform for the people, set Moses in the position of
the redeemer of his people and as such, a type of Messiah. When Moses returned
to Egypt and demonstrated these signs for the children of Israel, they accepted
him as being sent by God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moses,
once rejected by his people as an intercessor and sent away, returns as the
redeemer sent by God! In this way Moses is the shadow of Yeshua the ultimate redeemer
sent by God to bring, not only Israel out of their bondage to sin, but to offer
the same redemption to the whole world! Yeshua came once as the suffering
servant. He will return as the ultimate redeemer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 9:28 NKJV 28 so Christ was
offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He
will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
these opening chapters of the book of exodus, or Shemot, we see name-after-name
of the sons of Israel, which when taken together with the other names, tells us
the story of God’s plan for redemption for his people. The children of Israel spent
430 years in exile in Egypt and suffered many years of slavery and bondage. But
God never forgot His promises to them, He heard their cries for a redeemer and
answered! And both names for this second book of the Torah also point to God’s
redemption of man. The name Shemot tells us that story of redemption in the
name of Jacob’s sons. The name Exodus tells us that God will take us out of our
bondage and accept us as His people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the meaning of the names of the
sons of Jacob set the standard for God’s salvation throughout the rest of the
Bible?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Compare the signs that Moses was given to
demonstrate that he was sent by God with the signs Yeshua gave to prove His
Messiahship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Why would the two Hebrew men being abused
by their Egyptian taskmaster reject Moses’ intervention on their behalf?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The meanings of the names of Moses’
mother and Father, Jochebed and Amram are not defined in the teaching. What is
the meaning of their names, and how do these meanings enhance the message of
this Torah Portion? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Exodus story is the prime example for
Messianic redemption for both Jew and Christian. Discuss the parallels between
the Exodus story and our salvation in Yeshua. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bonus:
Compare the meaning of the names of Jacob’s sons with Jacob’s blessing of them
found in Genesis 49:1-28. Is there a correlation? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/13%20-%20Shemot%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Names/13%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Shemot%20-%20These%20are%20the%20Names.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Torah Club. Shadows of the Messiah. Book Two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>D. Thomas Lancaster. First Fruits of Zion. 800.775.4807. <a href="http://www.ffoz.org/">www.ffoz.org</a>. Page 314.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-69607098691181740842023-12-27T19:16:00.006-05:002023-12-27T19:16:59.135-05:00Torah Portion Vayechi - The Nation of Israel is Born<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/jyM6gbtGz_k"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/jyM6gbtGz_k</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Genesis 47:28-48:22<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
Torah portion is called Vayechi meaning “And he lived.” Jacob lived a total of
one hundred forty-seven years. As his death approached, Jacob imparted final
instructions to Joseph, blessed Joseph’s two sons, and blessed his twelve sons.
What do Jacob’s final words communicate about His faith in God and the
certainty that God would fulfill His promise that Jacob’s descendants would
receive the land of Canaan as their inheritance? How do his words indicate the
birth of the nation of Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the time for Jacob’s death approached, Jacob called Joseph to his bedside and
made him promise to take his body back to the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 49:29-30 MKJV 29 And he
charged them and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with
my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the
cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of
Canaan, the field which Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a
burying-place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
request demonstrates two main aspects of Jacob’s faith. These two aspects are
that Jacob had faith that God would carry out His promises and that Jacob
believed in the resurrection of the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Jacob left Canaan to go to Joseph in Egypt, he hesitated to leave the Promised
Land. He sought God’s guidance about leaving during the time of famine. God
spoke to him in a vision telling him to go to Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 46:3-4 NKJV 3 So He said,
"I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I
will make of you a great nation there. 4 "I will go down with you to
Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand
on your eyes."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
Jacob’s arrival in Egypt, the famine lasted another five years. However, Jacob
didn’t pack up his family and move back to Canaan at the end of the famine. He
stayed until his death seventeen years after going into Egypt. It could be that
the lives of Jacob’s family there in Egypt were so comfortable that they simply
chose not to leave. The land of Goshen where they lived in Egypt was on the
delta of the Nile River. The yearly flooding of the Nile watered the land and
replenished the soil. As a result, Goshen contained some of the best grazing
land in Egypt. In contrast, the land of Canaan was filled with rocky hills
which were dependent on the rain in order to grow grass and food crops.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
there may have been other reasons for staying in Egypt. God told Jacob that he
would die in Joseph’s presence when God stated in the vision that “Joseph would
put his hand on your eyes.” Joseph was still second in command to Pharaoh; he
couldn’t just leave the country. After Jacob’s death, Joseph had to get
permission from Pharaoh to go up to Canaan to bury Jacob.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 50:5-6 NKJV 5 'My father made
me swear, saying, "Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself
in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me." Now therefore, please let
me go up and bury my father, and I will come back.'" 6 And Pharaoh said,
"Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
and his brothers along with many Egyptian officials went to Canaan. However, they
left their children and their livestock in Egypt. Not only did Joseph need to
return so did all of his brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 50:14 NKJV 14 And after he had
buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who
went up with him to bury his father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
Jacob’s return to the land was after his death, his return parallels his return
from Padan Aram and the return of the children of Israel to the land. Each
return was marked by a short stay outside the land before crossing the Jordan
and going into Canaan. When Joseph took Jacob’s body up to Canaan, they paused
outside the land for seven days. It seems that they concluded the official
seven days of mourning right before they buried Jacob instead of right after
the burial. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 50:10-11 NKJV 10 Then they
came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they
mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days
of mourning for his father. 11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the
Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said,
"This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians." Therefore its name was
called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
years earlier, when Jacob returned from Padan Aram, he camped for a period of
time at Mahanaim and, then, at Succoth. When the children of Israel entered the
Promised Land, they paused outside the Land on the plains of Moab for sixty
days. During the first thirty days, Moses gave instructions to the people,
after which Moses died. The children of Israel stayed on the plains of Moab
while they mourned Moses for another thirty days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 34:8 NKJV 8 And the
children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the
days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the mourning for Moses was over, God told Joshua to take the children of Israel
into the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joshua 1:1-2 NKJV 1 After the death of
Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua
the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now
therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land
which I am giving to them-the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
major difference in these events is who goes to the Promised Land. When Joseph
brought Jacob’s body to Canaan the children and livestock were left behind. When
Jacob returned from Padan Aram and when the children of Israel came out of
Egypt, they brought all of their children and livestock with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
brings up a second reason that Jacob’s family did not leave Egypt after the
famine. God told Jacob that He would make Jacob into a great nation while in
Egypt. This had not yet happened. Seventeen years was not long enough to become
a nation. It seems that Jacob knew this part of the promise that God made to
him was not yet fulfilled. It wasn’t time to bring the children and the flocks
with them. Again, there are parallels with Jacob’s time in Padan Aram. God told
Jacob to leave after Jacob had acquired his wives, children and all the
livestock that he had earned working for Laban and to bring all of them with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 31:17-18 NKJV 17 Then Jacob
rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 And he carried away all his
livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock
which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of
Canaan. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notice
that the account emphasizes that Jacob brought all of his possessions with him.
He left nothing behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Jacob asked Joseph to take his body to the Promised Land for burial even though
his family would be staying in Egypt, Jacob demonstrated his faith that God
would bring all of them up. With his body buried in Canaan, it is as if Jacob
is there ahead of the family waiting for them to arrive. This leads us to the
second aspect of Jacob’s faith that is revealed here. Jacob believed in the
resurrection of the dead. Jacob didn’t tell Joseph he was about to die, he said
that he was about to be gathered to his people. If there was not life after or
death or no resurrection, there would be no “gathering with his people.” First
Fruits of Zion in <u>Unrolling the Scroll</u> state:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That is what he means when he told his
sons, “I am about to be gathered to my people” (Genesis 49:29). Jacob
anticipated being reunited with his forefathers.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/12%20-%20Vayechi%20-%20The%20Nation%20of%20Israel%20is%20Born/12%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayechi%20-%20The%20Nation%20of%20Israel%20is%20Born.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition, God had told Jacob that he would bring him back to the land, if there
was not resurrection of the dead, then God broke his promise to Jacob, and
there would be no reason to take Jacob’s body to the Promised Land for burial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
Jacob died, he blessed his twelve sons, but he also, singled out Joseph’s two
sons for blessing. These are not Jacob’s only grandsons! Counting Jacob, the
scripture says that there were seventy members of Jacob’s family that went into
Egypt. So, why did Jacob single out Joseph’s two sons? The answer is, as usual
multi-layered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
singling out Joseph’s sons, Jacob refers to the promise God had made to him
before he left Canaan the first time when he went to Padan Aram.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:3-4 NKJV 3 Then Jacob said
to Joseph: "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and
blessed me, 4 "and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and
multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land
to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob,
then, proceeded to explain that he was adopting Joseph’s sons Ephraim and
Manasseh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:5-6 MKJV 5 And now your two
sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who are born to you in the land of Egypt before I
came to you into Egypt, are mine; like Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6
And your issue, which you father after them, shall be yours, and shall be
called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
adopting Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob ensured that Joseph would receive the
double portion of the inheritance that goes to the firstborn. This double
portion should have gone to Reuben his firstborn son. However, Reuben, along
with Simeon and Levi the next sons in birth order, were disqualified in Jacob’s
eyes from receiving the double portion because of their actions. Technically,
the double portion should then have gone to Judah as the next son in line.
However, Jacob desired that it would go to Joseph, the firstborn son of his
wife Rachel. By claiming Ephraim and Manasseh as sons along with Reuben and
Simeon, Jacob was able to pass on to them the double portion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But
what was the double portion? Jacob did not possess the Promised Land. Was the
inheritance merely an extra share of the flocks and herds that Jacob possessed?
No, the double portion would not be realized until all the children of Israel
possessed the Promised Land!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:21-22 NKJV 21 Then Israel
said to Joseph, "Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring
you back to the land of your fathers. 22 "Moreover I have given to you one
portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my
sword and my bow."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
indicated that the extra portion for Joseph was in the land of the Amorites. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now,
let’s go to the actual blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. It began with Jacob
asking Joseph to present his two sons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:8-9 NKJV 8 Then Israel saw
Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are these?" 9 And Joseph said to his
father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place." And
he said, "Please bring them to me, and I will bless them."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
Jacob lays his hands on the sons, he crosses his arms so that his right hand is
on the hand of Ephraim, the younger son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:13-14 NKJV 13 And Joseph
took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and
Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near
him. 14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head,
who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands
knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephraim,
although the second born is blessed with Jacob’s right hand. Keep in mind that
Jacob began this adoption process by stating God’s promise the He would make
Jacob fruitful and multiply him. Ephraim’s name, number 669 in Strong’s
Concordance, means doubly fruitful. When Joseph tried to correct the placement
of Jacob’s hands, Jacob explained that Ephraim would be greater than his older
brother. Ephraim would be “doubly fruitful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:19 NKJV 19 But his father
refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He (<i>Manasseh</i>) also shall
become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother
shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of
nations."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the placement of his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob formally adopted
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:15-16 NKJV 15 And he
blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac
walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who
has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them,
And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a
multitude in the midst of the earth."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob’s
concluding words of the adoption ceremony once again refer back to God’s
promise to Jacob at Luz. This time, Jacob refers to the promise that he would
be a multitude of peoples. Further, Jacob declared that his name along with the
names of Abraham and Isaac be conferred on Ephraim and Manasseh. It seems like
the promise of Abraham is being passed on to Ephraim and Manasseh. Wait a
minute! The Messiah is prophesied to come through the line of Judah who is now
the legitimate firstborn of Jacob. How can the promise be given to Ephraim and
Manasseh? Here is where we see the birth of the nation of Israel!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the adoption ceremony, Jacob declares that Israel will bless by the names of
Ephraim and Manasseh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 48:20 NKJV 20 So he blessed
them that day, saying, "By you Israel will bless, saying, 'May God make
you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!'" And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob,
whose name is also Israel states that Israel will bless by the names of Ephraim
and Manasseh. At this point, Israel is not a nation, Israel is the name Jacob
received after wrestling with the angel. Jacob is seeing into the future to a
time when all of his children will become a nation called Israel. The promise
given to Abraham will not be passed on to one son or even to two sons, Ephraim
and Manasseh, but to all the descendants of Jacob. The words of the blessing
are that all the sons of Israel would be like Ephraim and Manasseh. In the
adoption ceremony, Jacob referred to the God who shepherded him and the Angel
who redeemed him. So, the blessing to be like Ephraim and Manasseh is that God
would shepherd the children of Israel and send the Angel who would redeem them.
This is exactly what happened when Moses brought the children of Israel out of
Egypt. God sent Moses, his shepherd, to guide them and the angel of the LORD
went with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 14:19 NKJV 19 And the Angel of
God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the
pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
meaning of the names of Ephraim and Manasseh add to the understanding of this
blessing. The name Manasseh, number 4519 means “causing to forget.” Joseph
explained that he chose the name because God had caused him to forget all his
affliction and all his father’s house. Isaiah said that through all the
affliction of the children of Israel, God was also afflicted; and He sent the
Angel of His presence to redeem them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 63:9 NKJV 9 In all their
affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His
love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All
the days of old. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Right
now, the children of Israel are once again in exile among the nations. God will
send the redeemer and they will forget the days of their affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 25:8-9 NKJV 8 He will swallow
up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The
rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has
spoken. 9 And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We
have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for
Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
even ties into the days of Adam and Eve when God first exiled them from the
Garden of Eden. He declared that they would labor to bring forth the fruit from
the ground. There will be a time coming when the toil of Adam would be
forgotten, and the earth would be fruitful and give forth of her bounty!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephraim
and Manasseh are the sons of Joseph whom Jacob will bless using five names or
titles of God. Jacob blesses Joseph with the blessings of the heaven above, the
deep below, and of the fruit of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 49:25-26 NKJV 25 By the God of
your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless you With
blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings
of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father Have excelled
the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.
They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who
was separate from his brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
blessing will be upon the one who was separated from his brother. Literally,
Joseph is the one who was separated from his brothers. At a deeper level,
Yeshua is the one separated from his brothers. When Yeshua returns, He will
come as the Redeemer of Israel and judge of the entire world. All those who
have been redeemed through Him will experience the fruit of righteousness and
all their afflictions will be forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:4 NKJV 4 "And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor
sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through
these blessings, Jacob communicated his faith that God would do what He had
promised. He believed that he would return to the Promised Land and be restored
to life in that land. He believed that his descendants would become the nation
of Israel. He believed that they would be doubly fruitful like Ephraim and
forgetful of their afflictions like Manasseh. He believed that a day was coming
that the toil of Adam would be forgotten, and the land would once more be
fruitful. May you be fruitful like Ephraim and forgetful of all your
afflictions like Manasseh!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What are some of the parallels between
Jacob’s return to Canaan from Padan Aran, the return of his body to Canaan, and
the return of the children of Israel to Canaan? What does this tell us about
Yeshua’s return? What does this tell us about our spiritual entrance to the
Promised Land?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How is Jacob asking Joseph to vow that he
will take his body to Canaan to be buried alongside his fathers a declaration
of his faith that God would give the Promised Land to his descendants and that
he believes in the resurrection of the dead? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob stated that “Israel will bless
saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In what way or ways is
this a blessing? How does it connect with the original promise God gave to
Abraham? How does it apply to us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Abraham and Isaac passed on the promise
to only one of their sons. How does Jacob communicate that the promise will go
to all of his sons not just one? How is this related to his name Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob promised Joseph that he would
receive one portion above his brothers (Gen 48:22). How was that realized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2023 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/12%20-%20Vayechi%20-%20The%20Nation%20of%20Israel%20is%20Born/12%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayechi%20-%20The%20Nation%20of%20Israel%20is%20Born.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>Unrolling
the Scroll</u>. First Fruits of Zion. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©2007, 2017 </span>Daniel T. Lancaster. Page
196.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-38535592182096319162023-12-20T14:55:00.002-05:002023-12-20T14:55:38.800-05:00Torah Portion Vayigash - I am Joseph Your Brother<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Video version is available at</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/_1OomLSrQj8"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/_1OomLSrQj8</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
- Genesis 44:18-45:5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our
Torah portion this week is called Vayigash, which means “and came near.” In
this portion we reach the climax of the story of Joseph and his long-estranged
brothers. These events at the end of the story of Joseph parallel events at the
beginning of Joseph’s story. When Jacob sent Joseph to check on the welfare of his
brothers and the flocks back in the Promised Land, Joseph was greeted with
being thrown into a pit that had no water. While Joseph suffered in the pit,
his brothers sat down to a meal. In contrast, when Jacob sent his other sons to
Egypt, and unknown to them at the time, to Joseph, now second in command of all
Egypt, they were greeted with hospitality and water to wash their feet and a
meal was prepared for them. At this meal, the brothers gave Joseph presents
instead of imprisonment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the beginning of the story of Joseph, the brothers plotted to kill him, but
instead, sold him into slavery. They then deceived Jacob, their father, into
thinking Joseph was dead. Their selfish actions had unintended consequences.
Jacob’s mourning for Joseph was intense and long lasting. As this portion
begins, it had now been twenty-two years since they had sold Joseph into
slavery, and Jacob was still mourned his loss of Joseph. But Joseph was alive
and well, and his suffering had ended in Egypt. As second in command to
Pharoah, Joseph had been ruling over Egypt for nine years. He was living a life
of wealth and power. Joseph had prepared carefully for the coming famine and
then, over the last two years, provided grain for all the people of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:55 NKJV 55 So when all the
land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh
said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you,
do."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
famine extended to all the lands around Egypt as well, driving the people from surrounding
nations to come to Egypt to buy grain which Joseph had carefully stored away. When
Joseph’s brothers came to buy grain, Joseph immediately recognized them, but
they did not recognize him. Joseph wanted to know if they were still the
vindictive, hateful brothers who had plotted to kill him, or had they changed? Since
the youngest brother, Benjamin had not come with them to Egypt, the most
important question that Joseph wanted answered was, how had they treated his
brother Benjamin? Were they as hateful to Benjamin as they were to him? Joseph
devised a scheme to test his brothers. Joseph would keep Simeon in prison until
they brought Benjamin to Egypt so he could see Benjamin and observe how they
treated him. When the brother returned with Benjamin, Joseph had them brought
into his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 43:24-25 NKJV 24 So the man
brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their
feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. 25 Then they made the present ready for
Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
greeted his brothers with words reminiscent of his original mission to check on
their welfare. He asks about not only their welfare but the welfare of their
father. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 43:27 NKJV 27 Then he asked
them about their well-being, and said, "Is your father well, the old man
of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
had them all sit down to a banquet prepared for them. Joseph sat them down in
the order of their birth, demonstrating that he knew them well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 43:33-34 NKJV 33 And they sat
before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest
according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. 34
Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five
times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Benjamin’s
serving was five times that given to the older brothers. There are several
levels of meaning to be gleaned from this account. First, this favoritism to
Benjamin is meant to bring to light any jealousies the brothers have when
Benjamin is later accused of theft. If they are jealous of Benjamin, they would
more than likely to leave Benjamin to his fate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
another level, Benjamin received five times the amount of food at this banquet
then his brothers had. Five times the amount is the payback to be given as
restitution for a guilt offering. Joseph’s brothers had stolen and sold Joseph
into slavery, so they owed five times the value in restitution. The Torah
explains this principle in the case of a stolen ox.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22:1 NKJV 1 "If a man
steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five
oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
may be subtly reminding his brothers of the redemption price they owe to
Benjamin because of their sale of him into slavery. But we see that it is
Joseph himself who eventually pays the redemption price even though it is his
brothers who owe it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 45:22 NKJV 22 He gave to all
of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three
hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the banquet, Joseph’s real test of the brothers is put in motion. The brothers
are sent on their way, but the silver they had paid for the grain they were
returning home with was also placed in their grain sacks. And the silver cup
belonging to Joseph is secretly placed in Benjamin’s sack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:1-2 NKJV 1 And he commanded
the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much
as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack. 2
"Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the
youngest, and his grain money." So he did according to the word that
Joseph had spoken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Silver
represents redemption. When God took the children of Israel as His own at Mt.
Sinai, he had them numbered but only through the offering of a half-shekel of
silver for each person. This offering is described as a ransom or atonement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 30:11-12 NKJV 11 Then the LORD
spoke to Moses, saying: 12 "When you take the census of the children of
Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the
LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you
number them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
returned money along with Joseph’s silver cup emphasizes a theme of redemption.
In Matthew’s gospel account, we see Yeshua refers to a cup when James and John’s
mother wanted her sons to be at Yeshua’s side. Yeshua asked them if they could
drink from the same cup that He drank from. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 20:22-23 NKJV 22 But Jesus
answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink
the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 So He said
to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine
to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
as Yeshua’s cup of redemption cannot be stolen, given away, or used by anyone
other than the Messiah. Joseph’s cup could not be stolen, given away or used by
anyone other than Joseph without serious consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
test of the stolen cup was laid out for Joseph’s brothers. Benjamin was
destined for slavery unless someone else stepped up. When Joseph’s silver cup
was found in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers tore their clothes in grief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:13 NKJV 13 Then they tore
their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
again, this takes us back to the beginning of the story when Joseph’s brothers took
Joseph’s coat of many colors which Jacob had gifted to him, tore it, and put
goat’s blood on it to cover up what they had done. Now they tear their own
garments in response to what was done to Benjamin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
all the brothers are brought before Joseph for judgment, would they allow
Benjamin to go into slavery, or would they stand up for him? Judah, who had
lost two sons of his own, could not let their father Jacob lose both Joseph and
Benjamin. Judah approached Joseph to plead for Benjamin’s freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:18 NKJV 18 Then Judah came
near to him and said: "O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in
my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you
are even like Pharaoh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judah
goes on to plead for Benjamin’s freedom because of the harm his imprisonment
would do to Jacob. Judah explains that He took responsibility for Benjamin’s
safety and could not return without him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:32 NKJV 32 "For your
servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him
back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
again, this contrasts with the beginning of this story when Judah takes the
lead to sell Joseph into slavery as opposed to killing him as the rest of the
brothers wanted to do. Now Judah again takes the lead, this time pleading for
Benjamin’s safety and even offering to take his place in slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:33-34 NKJV 33 "Now
therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my
lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 34 "For how shall I go up
to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would
come upon my father?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
this act, Joseph and Judah come together both desiring the best outcome for
Benjamin. Joseph desires to know that Benjamin has been well treated in his
family and Judah desires to know that Benjamin will be returned to his father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
hearing the desperate plea that Judah makes regarding Benjamin, Joseph could
not restrain himself any longer. He orders that the room be cleared of all the Egyptians,
so it would be only himself and his brothers present when he gave way to his
emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 45:1-3 NKJV 1 Then Joseph
could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out,
"Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph
made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and
the house of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am
Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him,
for they were dismayed in his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
all of Joseph’s trials, the Bible records Joseph weeping only twice. First,
when he sees Benjamin, and now when he is about to reveal himself to his
brothers. The Bible records that Yeshua also wept twice. He wept when his good
friend Lazarus died and then, he wept over Jerusalem and the fact that His
identity was hidden from His brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 19:41-42 NKJV 41 Now as He drew
near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If you had known, even
you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now
they are hidden from your eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
brothers were understandably confused and fearful. The Egyptian that held
control over all of Egypt was actually their brother that they had sold into
slavery! What would Joseph do with his brothers now that he had total control
over their destiny? Had he brought them there to put them into slavery as they
had done to him? Joseph discerned their thoughts and reassured them. He
recognized God’s hand on all that had led to him being sold into slavery and
then raised to the right hand of Pharaoh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 45:4-5 NKJV 4 And Joseph said
to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he
said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 "But
now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me
here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
death to his family and new life in Egypt was necessary to preserve the lives
of the Egyptians, the nations around Egypt, and ultimately Joseph’s own family.
Joseph’s exile was necessary to set up the exile that God told Abraham would
happen to his descendants. If Joseph had not been the one in control in Egypt
when the famine hit, Jacob’s entire family would most likely have starved or perhaps
become slaves in a foreign land. God’s promise to Abraham would have been
broken! Instead, they enter as honored guests in Egypt and receive the best
grazing land for their flocks and cattle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Chumash explains the connection between Joseph announcing himself to his brothers
and God eventually revealing His plan to Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When Joseph said “I am Joseph,” God’s
master plan became clear to the brothers. They had no more questions.
Everything that had happened for the last twenty-two years fell into
perspective. So, too, it will be in the time to come when God will reveal
Himself and announce, “I am HASHEM!” The veil will be lifted from our eyes, and
we will comprehend everything that transpired throughout history.”<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/11%20-%20Vayigash%20-%20I%20Am%20Joseph%20Your%20Brother/11-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayigash%20-%20I%20Am%20Joseph%20Your%20Brother.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
eyes of the brothers were blinded to the identity of their brother Joseph.
While Joseph remained hidden from his brothers, Joseph’s actions while in
Egypt, brought salvation to the Egyptians and many other peoples during the
famine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul
tells us that the spiritual blindness of Israel was necessary to bring
salvation to the Gentiles. When that is accomplished, the eyes of Israel will
be open to see their salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 11:25-27 NKJV 25 For I do not
desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should
be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel
until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be
saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will
turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I
take away their sins."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
Joseph explained that the famine would continue for five more years, Joseph’s
brothers were finally able to speak. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 45:14-15 NKJV 14 Then he fell
on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15
Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his
brothers talked with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
brothers who were unable to speak peaceably to him at the beginning of this
account, were now able to speak to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
immediately sent his brothers to bring the word to his father that he was
alive. When Jacob received word, that Joseph was alive, he is at first referred
to as Jacob, but when he receives the word and believes, he is then referred to
as Israel, the one who struggles and prevails. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 45:26-28 NKJV 26 And they told
him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land
of Egypt." And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them.
27 But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when
he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their
father revived. 28 Then Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still
alive. I will go and see him before I die."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
Jacob made his journey from Hebron south towards Egypt, he came to Beer Sheva
where he began to have second thoughts. When famine was in the land when he was
a boy, his father Isaac remained in the land. Also, Jacob had already lived in
exile from the Promised Land for twenty years. Should he once again leave the
land or stay like Isaac did? Jacob sought the LORD by bringing offerings at
Beer Sheva and God appeared to him in a vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 46:2-4 NKJV 2 Then God spoke
to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" And
he said, "Here I am." 3 So He said, "I am God, the God of your
father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation
there. 4 "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring
you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Jacob and his family were facing starvation, suddenly salvation appeared in the
form of the carts and camels sent by Joseph ready to carry them into the safety
of Egypt. When the time of Yeshua’s second coming approaches, God will send
salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 11:11-13 NKJV 11 It shall come
to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To
recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From
Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea.
12 He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of
Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the
earth. 13 Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, And the adversaries of Judah
shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, And Judah shall not harass
Ephraim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
sons of Jacob, separated for twenty-two years were finally reunited in the
fertile land of Goshen. But not before Joseph had put his brothers to a test.
Joseph tested them to see how they had treated his brother Benjamin in his
absence. Would they take the responsibility and do what was right and return to
Joseph in humility? Only after passing the test did Joseph reveal his true
identity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
reconciliation among brothers did not come without a price. Joseph suffered
slavery and imprisonment in Egypt as a result of the actions of his brothers. Knowing
what they had done, the brothers suffered through years facing a grieving
father and the humiliation of a famine in their land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We,
too, face a daily test. Yeshua tests us to see how we treat our brothers and
sisters around us. Do we pass our test? In the end will we be invited into our
“land of Goshen?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discuss Judah passing the test that
Joseph set before the brothers. How did Judah pass the test? How does this show
true repentance? <o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In nearly every Torah portion to this
point, we have seen case after case of sibling rivalry. How did Joseph break
the cycle and heal the rivalry with his brothers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What does the story of Joseph and his
brothers teach us about forgiveness? As believers, is forgiving others an
option for us?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discuss the Messianic implications and
metaphors of the Joseph story? In what ways does Joseph represent Messiah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The account of Joseph involves concealed
identity. What previous accounts of concealed identity have we examined in the
Torah thus far? How are these instances similar and dissimilar to the Joseph
story?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/11%20-%20Vayigash%20-%20I%20Am%20Joseph%20Your%20Brother/11-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayigash%20-%20I%20Am%20Joseph%20Your%20Brother.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. Artscroll Series. Rabbi Nosson Scherman/Rabbi Meir
Zitz. Mesorah Publications, Ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>2007. Page 253. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-23466473221822569902023-12-13T16:56:00.006-05:002023-12-13T16:57:15.027-05:00Torah Portion Miketz - God Speaks, and He Lives<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/B09Nv2-tx-Y"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/B09Nv2-tx-Y</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Genesis 41:37-57<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
Torah portion contains many layers of meaning and prophecy. The account begins
when Pharaoh has two dreams that his magicians cannot interpret. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pharaoh’s cupbearer remembers that the
prisoner Joseph has the gift of interpreting dreams. When Joseph reveals the
meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh elevates him to second in command over his
entire kingdom and gives Joseph an Egyptian name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:45 NKJV 45 And Pharaoh
called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the
daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of
Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">According
to the <u>NKJV Study Bible</u> and others, the name Zaphnath-Paaneah means “God
speaks, and He lives.” However, the transliteration of the Egyptian into Hebrew,
according to the Jewish <u>Targum Onkelos</u>, sounds like the Hebrew for “He
who explains the Hidden.” Both of these understandings for Joseph’s Egyptian
name sets up the layers of meaning in this Torah portion. God speaks; He lives
and explains the hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah portion begins with Pharaoh having a dream that the magicians are unable
to interpret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:8 NKJV 8 Now it came to
pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for
all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his
dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
is able to interpret the dream and explain the plan to save Egypt from famine.
So, Pharaoh declares that the spirit of God is in Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:37-38 NKJV 37 So the advice
was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And
Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in
whom is the Spirit of God?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
years later, another Pharaoh will rise to power who did not know Joseph. When
his magicians are unable to replicate the plagues sent by God through Aaron and
Moses, the magicians declare that Aaron and Moses act through the finger or
spirit of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 8:19 NKJV 19 Then the magicians
said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart
grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Pharaoh of Joseph’s time recognized the actions of God and believed; this resulted
in the salvation of his land and people. Ultimately, through him, all of
Joseph’s family, the children of Israel, would be saved. However, the Pharaoh
of Moses’ time did not acknowledge the actions of God resulting in the
destruction of the land and people of Egypt. These two different Pharaohs
bracket Israel’s time in Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
was rewarded by Pharaoh for the wise plan God gave to him to prepare for the
upcoming famine. In addition to a new name, Joseph is given a wife. During the
seven years of plenty, Joseph’s wife bears him two sons. The motif of two sons
that began with the birth of Cain and Abel continues with the birth of Joseph’s
two sons. Joseph names them Manasseh and Ephraim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:51-52 NKJV 51 Joseph called
the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my
toil and all my father's house." 52 And the name of the second he called
Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my
affliction."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From
these names, it seems that Joseph has turned his back on his entire family. The
name Manasseh, number 4519 in Strong’s Concordance, means “causing to forget.”
Joseph declares that God has caused him to forget all his toil and all his
father’s house. The word “toil” is the Hebrew word “amal,” number 5999, meaning
a wearing effort, sorrow, toil, trouble, and travail. It can also mean mischief
or wickedness. God caused Joseph to forget the trouble and wickedness he
endured at the hands of his brothers in his father’s house. The <u>Stone
Edition Chumash</u> comments on Joseph’s ability to forget.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph acknowledged that God had
allowed him to forget the hardships his brothers had inflicted on him in his
paternal home. He was able to recognize that everything they had done was part
of the Divine master plan and consequently he bore them no ill will. For that
he was grateful.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
declaration at the birth of his second born son, Ephraim, confirms that Joseph
had not traded his identity as a son of Israel to become a son of Egypt. Joseph
called Egypt the land of his affliction. The fact that God caused him to be fruitful
reminds us of God’s command to Adam and Noah that they be fruitful and fill the
earth. The command was given to Adam after he was exiled from the garden and to
Noah after the flood destroyed the earth. Isaiah writes of a time when the
sorrow will not be remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 65:17-19 NKJV 17 "For
behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be
remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I
create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall
no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the book of Revelation, John records the voice in heaven declaring that the
sorrow of the former times will pass away and all things are made new.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:4-5 NKJV 4 "And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor
sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make
all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true
and faithful."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
motif of two sons continues later in the account when Joseph holds Simeon, the
second born son of Leah, as hostage until the brothers bring Benjamin to him.
Joseph apparently exonerated Reuben when he overheard Reuben rebuking his
brothers for selling him into slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 42:22 NKJV 22 And Reuben
answered them, saying, "Did I not speak to you, saying, 'Do not sin
against the boy'; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now
required of us."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reuben
sees the demand to bring Benjamin into Egypt as the uncovering and consequences
of their sin against Joseph. As the oldest son, Reuben would be the one to be
held accountable for that sin. However, with Reuben exonerated, the
accountability fell on Simeon as the second born. When the other nine brothers
discovered that the money they paid for the grain was returned to them, they were
frightened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 42:27-28 NKJV 27 But as one of
them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his
money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. 28 So he said to his
brothers, "My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!"
Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another,
"What is this that God has done to us?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They
were faced with a dilemma. If they didn’t return to Egypt, Simeon would remain
a prisoner. If they returned, they could be accused of stealing and be taken as
slaves. <u>The Stone Edition Chumash</u> comments:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The self-proclaimed “God-fearing”
viceroy was treating them in a way that would give him an excuse to enslave
them.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the nine brothers return to Canaan and their father Israel, they are faced with
famine unless they return to Egypt with Benjamin. Reuben offers the death of
his two sons in surety of Benjamin’s safety. In a sense, Reuben is offering his
two sons in the place of Rachel’s two sons; Joseph, who was regarded as already
dead, and Benjamin whom Jacob feared would die in Egypt. Jacob rejects Reuben’s
offer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judah,
who lost two sons, and then was granted two others through his daughter-in-law
Tamar, eventually takes responsibility for Benjamin’s safety. Instead of
offering death like Reuben did, Judah offered life, that “we may live and not
die.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 43:8-9 NKJV 8 Then Judah said
to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go,
that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9
"I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I
do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame
forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notice
that Judah speaks to Israel his father. Israel is the man who held onto the
Angel of the LORD and wouldn’t let go until he prevailed in receiving the
blessing. Judah’s words remind Israel that he needs to continue to have faith
and hold on! In next week’s Torah portion, Judah will be called on to fulfill
his words to Israel to stand for Benjamin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Returning
to the years of plenty, Joseph traveled throughout the land of Egypt exercising
the authority given to him by Pharaoh to take one fifth of the grain harvest
and store it up for the years of famine. He describes the amount of grain
collected as “the sand of the sea.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 41:49 NKJV 49 Joseph gathered
very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was
immeasurable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
uses this same metaphor in his promise to Abraham that his seed would be as
many as the sand upon the seashore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 22:17 NKJV 17 "blessing I
will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars
of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants
shall possess the gate of their enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
reminds God of this promise when he is getting ready to face Esau.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:12 NKJV 12 "For You
said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of
the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
grain Joseph collected is as much or as many as the descendants of Abraham! At
one level of understanding, these are the children that will be born to Israel
in Egypt. They will be so numerous that the new Pharaoh will fear them. At
another level, Joseph, as a type of Messiah, goes throughout Egypt, the Gentile
world, and gathers the souls, the spiritual descendants of Abraham. They are as
many of the sands of the sea. Yeshua uses the metaphor of grain as souls who
are saved in a parable about the harvest of the end times. The good seed
produces wheat which is gathered into the barn. The bad seed produces tares
which are burned in the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 13:37-38 NKJV 37 He answered
and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38
"The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but
the tares are the sons of the wicked one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Literally,
the grain that Joseph collects will keep Egypt and his own brothers and their
families from dying. It is through the grain or souls collected from the
Gentiles, that Israel will be saved. Paul writes to the Gentiles about them
gaining salvation because the Jews were disobedient. But through the same mercy
shown to the Gentiles, the Jews will also receive mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 11:30-32 NKJV 30 For as you
were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their
disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the
mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to
disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was through the disobedience of Joseph’s brothers that Joseph was in Egypt to
prepare the people for the famine. Both the Egyptians and the children of
Israel receive grain to sustain their lives through Joseph. Joseph’s first
dream is actually about this situation. In his dream, his brothers’ sheaves bow
down to his sheaf. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:7 NKJV 7 "There we
were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood
upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my
sheaf."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Joseph’s brothers first arrive in Egypt and appear before him to buy grain,
they bow before him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 42:6 NKJV 6 Now Joseph was
governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land.
And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
recognized them and remembered his dream. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 42:9 NKJV 9 Then Joseph
remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them,
"You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
accusations that they are spies may have had some basis from their actions when
arriving in Egypt. It is possible that they used the opportunity to carefully
inquire about their brother Joseph. <u>The Stone Edition Chumash</u> comments
on this possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The brothers, knowing that the
original purchasers of Joseph had been bound for Egypt, wanted to find him and
ransom him. They entered the country through ten different gates and spread out
in the marketplace looking for him.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
commentary goes on to explain that Joseph’s accusation of them being spies
prevented them from persisting in their search for him and, thus, finding him
before he was ready to reveal his identity to them. Joseph quickly forced his
brothers out of Egypt, holding only Simeon hostage in surety of their return
with Benjamin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the brothers arrived with Benjamin, Joseph prepared a banquet for them. He sat
separated from them and had them seated in the order of their birth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 43:32-34 NKJV 32 So they set
him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with
him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews,
for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the
firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth;
and the men looked in astonishment at one another. 34 Then he took servings to
them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of theirs.
So they drank and were merry with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
are several hidden things going on at this banquet. First, Joseph is sitting
separate from his brothers which may be an allusion back to the last meal he
shared with his brothers. At that time, Joseph was in a pit separate from his
brothers while his brothers ate a meal. Second, they were sitting in birth
order which hints at Joseph’s knowledge of his brothers but, also, may be a
reference to the birthright which was at the heart of the friction between
Joseph and his brothers. Finally, Benjamin, the youngest son and full brother
of Joseph, is given five times the serving size of his brothers. Clearly,
Joseph, this supposed Egyptian official, is deliberately favoring the son that
he knows is the youngest. How would the brothers react to this favoritism? All
these little pieces are a reminder that Jacob favored Joseph over his brothers
to inherit the birthright and the promise of Abraham. If that isn’t enough,
Joseph sets Benjamin up to be accused of stealing his personal cup. The theft
of the silver cup would result in Benjamin being taken into slavery. Did
Joseph’s brothers regard Joseph as if he was stealing the birthright? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:2-4 NKJV 2 "Also put
my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain
money." So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 As soon
as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When
they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his
steward, "Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them,
'Why have you repaid evil for good?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
brothers react with indignation confident that they were innocent of the
charges. They declare that the one who is found with the silver cup be put to
death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:9 NKJV 9 "With
whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my
lord's slaves."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
silver cup that was found in Benjamin’s sack is identified as one that Joseph
uses for divination. In other words, it is used as a household idol to tell the
future or reveal hidden motivations. The brothers’ rash oath is reminiscent of
Jacob’s rash oath when Rachel had stolen and hidden her father Laban’s idols.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 31:32 NKJV 32 "With
whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our
brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you." For Jacob
did not know that Rachel had stolen them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph’s
brothers were more fortunate than Jacob. Joseph’s steward did not accept their
oath but instead rephrased it to be that the one who had the silver cup would
be Joseph’s slave. Again, this is a reminder of Joseph being betrayed by his
brothers and sold into slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judah
recognizes that all this happened because of their sin against Joseph. It was
not the silver cup that revealed their actions, but God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 44:16 NKJV 16 Then Judah said,
"What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear
ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my
lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judah,
unlike Reuben, cannot be exonerated for selling Joseph. He is the one who came
up with the plan to sell Joseph! Judah offers that they, the ones who sold
Joseph into slavery, be taken into slavery along with Benjamin so Benjamin is
not left alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our
Torah portion ends with Joseph’s steward rejecting Judah’s offer and declaring
that only Benjamin would be held accountable for stealing the silver cup. We
are left with the question of what the brothers will do to protect Benjamin and
to protect Jacob from having his heart broken once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Throughout
this Torah portion, God speaks. He reveals information about the upcoming
sojourn of all the children of Israel in Egypt. He reveals that the sins of the
brothers against Joseph had not gone unnoticed. He sets up patterns that will
be fulfilled when God sends His son to check on the welfare of His brothers.
Like Joseph, God’s son would be betrayed by His brothers, but that betrayal
will be uncovered. The next Torah portion will reveal, that though the brothers
meant their actions for evil, God sent Joseph to preserve their lives just like
God sent His son Yeshua to preserve our lives and the lives of His Jewish
brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Joseph’s Egyptian name means God speaks,
and He lives. It sounds like the Hebrew for He who explains the hidden. How
does God speak through Joseph and reveal the hidden?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How do the names of Joseph’s two sons
Manasseh and Ephraim point to the reign the reign of Messiah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What are the different underlying
meanings of Joseph having his silver cup placed in Benjamin’s sack?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We’ve explored the motif of the two sons
several times as we have gone through Genesis. What additional understanding do
we gain about the two sons through Reuben offering his two sons and the birth
of Joseph’s two sons?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the theme of slavery weave
through the account of Joseph both in this Torah portion and in the previous
Torah portion Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-40:23?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. General Editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir
Zlotowitz. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.
Page 230.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. General Editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir
Zlotowitz. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.
Page 237.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/10%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20lives/10%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Miketz%20-%20God%20Speaks%20and%20He%20Lives.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. General Editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir
Zlotowitz. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.
Page 233.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-49671739412815196242023-12-06T18:30:00.002-05:002023-12-06T18:30:25.724-05:00Torah Portion Vayeshev - The Favored Son<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/NWAUT1OxhB0"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/NWAUT1OxhB0</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Genesis 37:1-36<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
week’s Torah Portion, called Veyeshev meaning “and he dwelt” is again, like the
last portion, about the animosity among brothers and a promise of restoration. This
Torah portion begins with the story of Joseph. It includes the rising hatred
that Joseph’s brothers had for him culminating in their selling him into
slavery. In the middle of this account of Joseph’s life, the Torah inserts an
account of Joseph’s brother Judah’s life. Why are these stories intermixed? If
Joseph is the favored son, why must he suffer the humiliation and exile
perpetrated by his brothers? Why are these two brothers the central focus of
this portion? How do the lives of Joseph and Judah reveal God’s plan for the
ultimate reconciliation and redemption?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah Portion begins with Joseph bringing a bad report of his brother’s
behavior to their father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:1-2 NKJV 1 Now Jacob dwelt
in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is
the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock
with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of
Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his
father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
are we to make of Joseph’s actions? Is he ratting out his brothers in a deliberate
attempt to get them in trouble with their father? Was this some kind of sibling
rivalry? “He did it! It wasn’t me!” When we put Joseph’s actions in context, however,
it seems that his actions were justified and necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
could not have been happy with the behavior of his oldest sons. Reuben’s
actions resulted in Jacob disregarding him as the future leader of the family
and making him ineligible in Jacob’s eyes as deserving the inheritance of the
firstborn. Simeon and Levi, the second and third sons of Leah, had devised and
brought about the slaughter of the entire town of Shechem behind Jacob’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now,
comes word that his sons by Bilhah and Zilpah have behaved no better than those
of Leah’s, and their behavior would reflect negatively upon Jacob just like
Simeon, Levi, and Reuben’s actions did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
actions of his older brothers, place Joseph as the son who is favored to
receive the right of the firstborn and the inheritor of God’s promise to
Abraham. He was the firstborn of his mother Rachel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:3-4 NKJV 3 Now Israel loved
Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also
he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their
father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak
peaceably to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse
three uses the name of Israel instead of Jacob. This switching back and forth
of the names Jacob and Israel is interesting. It, perhaps, indicates that when
the name Jacob is used, he was acting in accordance with the flesh. And when
the name Israel appears, he is acting in accordance with the spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
multi-colored tunic that Joseph was given was the symbol of Jacob’s choice of
Joseph to receive the mantel of leadership of the family. Joseph’s ten older
brothers hated Joseph because of the choice of Joseph. Perhaps, they hated him
because the guilt of their own actions contrasted with Joseph’s righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
this, Joseph received a dream from God confirming his position of leader of the
family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:5-8 NKJV 5 Now Joseph had a
dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he
said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 "There
we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also
stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my
sheaf." 8 And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over
us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even
more for his dreams and for his words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
seems obvious that the literal understanding of Joseph’s dream is that he would
rule over his brothers. But as we look at the context of the dream, we can see
a deeper meaning. In the dream it is the time of the harvest. The time of the
barley harvest is when the children of Israel were to observe a feast day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 23:9-11, 14 NKJV 9 And the
LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say
to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its
harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the
priest. 11 'He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted on your
behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it…. 14 'You shall
eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you
have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout
your generations in all your dwellings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like the Feast of Firstfruits, Joseph’s dream has an underlying theme of
resurrection. This resurrection theme was recognized among the Jewish sages.
First Fruits of Zion in <u>Torah Club Volume 2: Shadows of the Messiah</u>
quote the writings of the Zerah Kodesh:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This [dream about Messiah son of
Joseph] alludes to the prophecy [in Isaiah 52:2], “Shake yourself from the
dust, rise up,” –that he is raised up and made to rule and lifted from the
dust. And the words [in Psalm 118:5], “From my distress I called upon the LORD;
the LORD answered me,” alludes to them that will be saved from the distress of
Messiah son of Joseph, namely that he will not only be slain, but he will also
live at the time of the redemption, and it will be said of them, “Shake
yourself from the dust, rise up.”<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/9%20-%20Vayeshev%20-%20The%20Favored%20Son/9%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayeshev%20-%20The%20Favored%20SonThe%20Favored%20Son.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Joseph’s second dream, not only do his brothers bow down before him but also
his father and mother. His mother, Rachel, had died nine years earlier giving
birth to Benjamin, so this dream must pertain to some future event.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:9 NKJV 9 Then he dreamed
still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have
dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars
bowed down to me."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Joseph arrogantly related this second dream to his father and his brothers,
they became quite jealous of him!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:10-11 NAS95 10 He related
it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to
him, "What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and
your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the
ground?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the
saying in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Despite
the jealousy and hatred directed against him, Joseph remained an obedient son. His
obedience is demonstrated when Joseph’s brothers were out with the flocks in
Shechem, Israel asked Joseph to go check on his brothers and the flocks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:13-14 NKJV 13 And Israel
said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come,
I will send you to them." So he said to him, "Here I am." 14
Then he said to him, "Please go and see if it is well with your brothers
and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me." So he sent him out
of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
finally found his brothers in Dothan. When his brothers saw him approaching, they
were overcome with their hatred and their jealousy of him and plotted to kill
him. They took Joseph captive, stripped him of his multi-colored coat, which
was representative of his authority over them, and threw Joseph into an empty
pit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:23-24 NKJV 23 So it came to
pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his
tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast
him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wondering
what to next do with Joseph when they sat down to eat, a caravan of Ishmaelite
merchants happened to pass by. Rather than killing Joseph, they ended up
selling Joseph to the merchants as a slave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:25-27 NKJV 25 And they sat
down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a
company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices,
balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to
his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his
blood? 27 "Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our
hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brothers
listened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To
cover their crime, they took Joseph’s coat, dipped it in goat’s blood, and
presented it to Jacob asking if he recognized it, hoping to deceive Jacob into
thinking Joseph was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 37:31-33 NKJV 31 So they took
Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood.
32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father
and said, "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic
or not?" 33 And he recognized it and said, "It is my son's tunic. A
wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, the Torah Portion deviates to the
story of Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
the disgrace of Judah’s older brothers Reuben, Simeon and Levi, Judah, as the
next son of Leah, is the one in direct line to receive the inheritance of the
firstborn. Instead of the inheritance going to Judah, Israel favored Joseph to
receive this inheritance. Judah was the one who influenced his brothers into
selling Joseph into slavery instead of killing him. Years later it will be
Judah who unknowingly confronts Joseph over the accusations of thievery against
Benjamin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
account of Judah begins with his separation from his brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 38:1 MKJV 1 And it happened at
that time Judah went down from his brothers and turned in to a certain
Adullamite, named Hirah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
portion tells us that Judah went down from his brothers probably in response to
the results of selling Joseph into slavery. Jacob’s heartbreak over the
supposed death of Joseph will continue to haunt Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
division between the brothers is such that Judah virtually leaves the family.
He enters a business arrangement with a merchant and marries his daughter.
Judah’s sons do not please God and judgment falls on them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 38:6-7 MKJV 6 And Judah took a
wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah's first-born,
was wicked in the sight of the LORD. And the LORD killed him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judah
then gave Tamar to his second son Onan to have sons for Er to carry on Er’s
name after his death, but Onan refused, and God killed him too. This left Judah
with only his youngest son. Fearful that God would kill him too, Judah refused
to give him to Tamar to have sons for Er. It seems like God was determined that
Judah’s firstborn son would not continue his line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the culture of the day, Judah’s actions would have shamed his daughter-in-law,
Tamar. She decided to take matters into her own hands. She disguised herself as
a temple prostitute and seduced Judah. Judah was not prepared to pay for the
services of a prostitute, so he was forced to leave a pledge of payment with
Tamar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 38:18 NKJV 18 Then he said,
"What pledge shall I give you?" So, she said, "Your signet and
cord, and your staff that is in your hand." Then he gave them to her, and
went in to her, and she conceived by him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
our society today, pledges such as these would be equivalent to his giving her
complete power of attorney over his affairs. His signet is the seal used as a
signature. All official correspondence would be sealed with this signet. God
says that his kings bear his signet ring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Haggai 2:23 NKJV 23 'In that day,'
says the LORD of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of
Shealtiel,' says the LORD, 'and will make you like a signet ring; for I have
chosen you,' says the LORD of hosts."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
cord is the distinctive cord woven through the hem of a garment identifying the
wearer of the garment. The tzit-tzit that God commanded the children of Israel
to wear contained a cord of blue. This cord of blue identified the Israelites
as belonging to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
the staff is a symbol of authority. The twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel
each had a staff bearing their names. When they questioned God about His choice
of Aaron as the family of the priesthood, each leader was instructed to present
his staff before God and God would indicate His choice of priesthood through
the staffs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Tamar became pregnant, she presented Judah’s pledge back to him using the same Hebrew
words that Judah used when presenting Joseph’s bloody coat to Jacob asking,
“please determine whose these are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 38:25-26 NKJV 25 When she was
brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man to whom
these belong, I am with child." And she said, "Please determine whose
these are -the signet and cord, and staff." 26 So Judah acknowledged them
and said, "She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her
to Shelah my son." And he never knew her again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tamar
bore Judah twin sons named Perez and Zerah. At their birth, it seemed like
Zerah would be born first, but God had other plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 38:28-30 NKJV 28 And so it
was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife
took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, "This one came out
first." 29 Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother
came out unexpectedly; and she said, "How did you break through? This
breach be upon you!" Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his
brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was
called Zerah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is physically impossible for a child, once in the birth canal, to retreat and
have the other child, his twin, born first. But in the case of Tamar, God made
it possible. Perez broke out of the womb first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
the birth of Perez, the line that would lead to king David begins. The
genealogy of David is given at the end of the book of Ruth and begins with the
birth of Perez.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ruth 4:18-22 NKJV 18 Now this is the
genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab;
20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and
Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
was the firstborn son of Rachel and was to receive the double portion
inheritance. Judah, on the other hand, was the fourth son of Leah. But because
his three older brothers were disqualified, Judah was to receive the promise
first given to Abraham. The blessing and the promise are split between Joseph
and Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
descendants of Joseph and Judah are forever tied together by the blessing and
promise. When we look at the ten spies Moses sent into look over the Promised
Land, the two who gave the good report were Joshua of the tribe of Joseph’s son
Ephraim and Caleb from the tribe of Judah. When they returned to the camp, they
urged the children of Israel to receive the Land, the promised inheritance! They
were the only two men from their generation allowed to enter the Promised Land
forty years later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King
Solomon, in his later years, went after other gods forsaking the God of Israel.
In answer, God split the kingdom into two, with ten of the tribes given to
Jeroboam from the tribe of Ephraim. At that time, God gave Jeroboam a promise
similar to that of David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Kings 11:37-38 NKJV 37 'So I will take
you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king
over Israel. 38 'Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in
My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My
commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for
you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
split between the lines of Joseph and Judah continues to this day. Yet there
remains the promise of restoration and reconciliation between brothers. We saw
reconciliation between brothers in the last Torah Portion with Jacob and Esau. But
the restoration of the relationship between the descendants of Joseph and Judah
remains in the future. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied about their ultimate restoration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 37:19 NKJV 19 "say to
them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will take the stick of Joseph,
which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and
I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and
they will be one in My hand."'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph
and Judah will receive the blessing and promise of the firstborn. Joseph,
through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received and will again receive a
double portion in the Land. Judah received the promise of kingship through David.
And a descendent of David will again reign from the rightful thrown in
Jerusalem. Through each line comes the promise of Messiah. Through Joseph we
see a picture of Messiah as the suffering servant who dies for His people. And through
Judah, we see the Son of David, the conquering king who is victorious over the
grave and comes to reign over His people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discuss the meaning of Joseph’s two
dreams. How might these two dreams be understood as being prophetic about
Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How do Joseph’s actions contrast with
those of Judah in this week’s Torah Portion?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In this portion we see the promise and
the inheritance split between Joseph and Judah. The Jewish Rabbis have the idea
or concept of two Messiahs: Messiah Ben Joseph as the suffering servant, and
Messiah Ben David as the conquering king. How does this Jewish concept satisfy
the prophecies about Messiah in the Tanach? How does Yeshua satisfy these same
prophecies as being both the suffering servant and the conquering king?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once Jacob’s name is changed to Israel,
both names are used in the Torah going forward. What are some of the contexts
of the uses of each name? How does the use of each name reflect
Jacob’s/Israel’s motivation?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What sin is at the root of the sibling
rivalry between Joseph and his brothers? What other examples are there in
scripture of similar rivalry? How are we supposed to act toward our brothers as
disciples of Yeshua?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bonus: What are the similarities between the two sets of twins; Jacob
and Esau, and Perez and Zerah?</span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/9%20-%20Vayeshev%20-%20The%20Favored%20Son/9%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayeshev%20-%20The%20Favored%20SonThe%20Favored%20Son.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
FFOZ Torah Club. Shadows of the Messiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>D. Thomas Lancaster. Vol 1, Page 223<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-23624752780616614822023-11-29T19:05:00.001-05:002023-11-29T19:05:28.772-05:00Torah Portion Vayishlach - Israel Shall Be Your Name<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/PjXBU5q7WEI"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/PjXBU5q7WEI</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Genesis 32:3-32; 35:1-15 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob’s
life was marked by struggles. This Torah portion is no exception. It begins
after Jacob’s hostile encounter with his father-in-law Laban. It includes the
account of Jacob returning to the land that was promised to him as an
inheritance. As he is approaching the end of the journey, he is met by angels
who join him in his camp on the Jabbok River east of the Jordan River east of
Shechem. He sends out gifts to Esau hoping to resolve his lifelong struggle
with Esau. As he is at the gates of the Promised Land, he struggles with the
Angel of the LORD who gives him a new name. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
had spent twenty-one years away from the land that God told him that He would
give to him and his descendants. When he left the land, Jacob saw a vision of
angels ascending and descending on a ladder anchored on earth below and the
heaven above. Jacob declared that God was in that place and called it Bethel
which means the house of God. Now, just before Jacob is ready to cross over the
Jordan River and return to the land, angels come out to meet him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:1-2 NKJV 1 So Jacob went on
his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said,
"This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like Jacob named the place where God spoke to him in the land as the house of
God, he called the place where he camped God’s camp and named it Mahanaim which
means two camps. <u>The Stone Edition Chumash</u> relates Ramban’s
understanding of the two camps.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ramban suggest that the plural refers
to Jacob’s camp on earth and the camp of angels on high.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
angels were with Jacob when he left the land and then, again, when he entered
the land, were angels with him while he was out of the land? God had told Jacob
that He would be with him wherever he went until God accomplished all that He
had promised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:15 NKJV 15 "Behold, I
am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this
land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to
you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “keep” is the Hebrew word “shamar,” number 8104 in Strong’s
Concordance, meaning to hedge about, to protect, or guard. God said that He
would guard Jacob wherever he went and bring him back to the land. This implies
that the angels Jacob saw ascending and descending on the ladder or ones like
them went with Jacob into Haran. The Jewish sage Rashi saw the appearance of
the angels at Mahanaim as the changing of the guard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They came to meet him to accompany
Jacob to the Holy Land, replacing the angels that had been with him outside the
Land. This reversed the changing of the angelic guard that took place when he
left Eretz Yisrael to go to Charan.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
emphasizes that God was with Jacob in all of his travels. Most recently, he had
protected Jacob from Laban’s murderous intentions when Jacob fled Padan Aram
with his wives, children, and livestock. As Jacob is poised to enter the
Promised Land, he is faced with another threat. Jacob’s brother Esau was
apparently still angry at Jacob and intent on killing him. When Jacob left the
land, partly to avoid Esau’s anger, his mother told Jacob she would send for
him when Esau’s anger cooled. Rebekah never sent for Jacob, so it seems that
Esau’s anger against his brother never abated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
entering the land, Jacob reached out to Esau to see what he could do to appease
Esau. He sent messengers to Esau in the land of Edom which was several days
journey to the south of Jacob’s camp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:3-5 NKJV 3 Then Jacob sent
messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of
Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, 'Thus
your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until
now. 5 "I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I
have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight."'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
messengers return with word that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred
men! Esau had prospered mightily in the years that Jacob had been in Haran
commanding a large force of men. Not surprisingly, this frightened Jacob. He
had four women, eleven children, and the servants who came with him from Haran.
Compared to Esau, Jacob was helpless. Jacob takes three steps to protect
himself and his family from Esau. Jacob, who was camped among both earthly and
heavenly inhabitants, now divides his earthly company into two parts just in
case.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:7-8 NKJV 7 So Jacob was
greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him,
and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said,
"If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company
which is left will escape."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next,
Jacob calls out to God for protection based on the promises He had made to
Jacob to keep him and bring him back to the land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:11-12 NKJV 11 "Deliver
me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him,
lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. 12 "For You
said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of
the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
Jacob sent a series of gifts from his flocks and herd to Esau. As his
messengers were on their way with gifts for Esau, Jacob sent his family across
the Jabbok River for protection and stayed behind in the camp. Remember, this
is the camp that included the angels of God. One of these angels, described as
a man just like the angels who visited Abraham, wrestled with Jacob through the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:24-25 NKJV 24 Then Jacob
was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now
when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his
hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who
was this man or angel that Jacob wrestled with? At root, Jacob’s struggles were
with Esau, so Rashi understands this angel to be the guardian angel of Esau.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Through this struggle, Jacob prevailed over Esau because of his spiritual
superiority and attained the blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
the plain meaning of the text states that Jacob recognized the angel as being
the angel of the LORD. Jacob declares that he had seen the face of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:30 NKJV 30 And Jacob called
the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my
life is preserved."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
angel states the reason that Jacob’s name is changed to Israel is because Jacob
struggled not only with Esau, but with God. So, it seems that the better
understanding of the man Jacob wrestled with was the Angel of the LORD. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even
though Jacob’s hip was injured while they were wrestling, Jacob refused to let
go of the angel. It seems that all of Jacob’s struggles throughout his life and
even in the womb culminated in this final struggle. He wanted to know that He
had God’s blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:26-28 JP Green 26 And He
said, Send Me away, for the dawn has risen. And he said, I will not let You go
unless You bless me. 27 And He said to him, “What is your name? And he said,
“Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name no longer shall be called Jacob, but
Israel, because you have persevered with God and with men and have been able.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From
his conception, Jacob had struggled to attain the promise God had given to
Abraham. At birth, even as Esau gained the right of the blessing as the
firstborn, Jacob didn’t give up. He grasped Esau’s heel and from that action,
he was given the name Jacob which means heel. The Jewish sage Rashi comments
that Jacob was conceived first and, thus, was justified in his efforts to be
the firstborn. <u>The Stone Edition Chumash</u> expands on Rashi’s comment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pachad Yitzchak expounds on this
seemingly strange comment. Briefly, he explains that the contention between
Jacob and Esau was over who would assume the spiritual mission of Abraham and
Isaac. Thus the critical factor in their birth was the seed of the Patriarch
that had been implanted in the mother’s egg, for it contained the essence of
the father. Consequently, since Jacob was conceived first, he was the spiritual
firstborn and therefore entitled to the blessings.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob’s
entire life was marked by this struggle to attain the spiritual mission and
firstborn status which Esau was entitled to as the firstborn but which he
despised. By asking for his name, the angel refers to Jacob’s efforts to attain
the right of the firstborn. Although Jacob had legitimately purchased the
birthright from Esau, he tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing
rather than seeing it go to Esau or waiting to see how God would resolve the
issue. Jacob declared that he would continue to hold on to the angel until his
right to the spiritual mission of Abraham was confirmed. First Fruits of Zion
in <u>Unrolling the Scroll</u> states that the Hebrew phrase “unless you bless
me” is actually in the past tense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In other words, Jacob says to the
angel of the LORD, “I will not let you go unless you have already blessed me.”
Jacob did not want to continue with the stigma of having stolen his brother’s
blessing. He wanted to know that it was God who had blessed. He wanted to know
that the blessing legitimately belonged to him.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
blessing that the angel speaks over Jacob is that his name has been changed
from Jacob to Israel. The name Israel, number 3478, is from two root words and is
defined in various ways. The first root word is “saw-raw,” number 8280 meaning
to prevail or have power as a prince. The word “persevered” in the J. P Green
translation of verse twenty-eight read earlier is the word “saw-raw.” Other
versions of the Bible translate this use of “saw-raw” as “struggled”, “had
power,” “have striven,” or “like a prince you have power.” The second root word
of the name Israel is “el,” number 410, meaning strength, mighty, the Almighty,
God, or power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word “El” is the
accepted shortened form of God’s name Elohim. As you can see, there are many
ways that these two words can be combined to form the meaning of the name
Israel. Strong’s Lexicon defines it as “he will rule with God.” The
Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon defines it as “God prevails,” while Hitchcock’s
Bible Names Dictionary defines it as “who prevails with God.” Smith’s Bible
Dictionary defines Israel as “the prince that prevails with God” using both
meanings of “saw-raw.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a transformative name, going from Jacob to Israel, it marks Jacob’s triumphant
achievement. He struggled and persevered until he received the promise and the
blessing originally given to Abraham and passed on to him through Isaac. Throughout
his struggle, the angels of God were with him. The author of Hebrews tells us
to persevere in our faith so that we will receive the promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 10:23 NKJV 23 Let us hold fast
the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul
tells his readers in Ephesians that we, like Jacob, need to prevail with power
because our battle is not really against flesh and blood; it’s against
spiritual forces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV 10 Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul
tells us to put on the full armor of God as we battle against these spiritual
forces. This included the presence of God’s protection through His Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
James, the brother of Yeshua, tells us to persevere against trials of many
sorts because those who do will attain the crown of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">James 1:12 NKJV 12 Blessed is the man
who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the
crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
wrestling with the Angel of the LORD, Jacob’s meeting with Esau the next
morning went over without a problem. Esau greeted Jacob with tears and with a
kiss. Although the kiss may have been insincere, Esau did not attack Jacob with
his four hundred men. Instead, Esau invites Jacob to stay with him in Edom.
However, Edom is not Jacob’s destination; Jacob is headed for the Promised
Land. He has one more stop before arriving in the land. This stop is at a place
he calls Succoth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 33:17 NKJV 17 And Jacob
journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock.
Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
is this stop even mentioned in the Bible? Jacob stopped at many places as he
traveled from Haran to the Promised Land and probably built booths or temporary
shelters at many of them along the way. The livestock that Jacob sheltered in
the booths were the wages of his years working for Laban. They and his family
represent over twenty years of work. The name “Succoth” is also given to the
booths that the children of Israel are to build during the Feast of Sukkot in
memorial that God was with the children of Israel in the wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This first use of the Succoth for the
shelters that Jacob built foreshadows these later shelters, and ultimately
points to a time when God will bring back His people. God’s people were bought
with the death and resurrection of His son Yeshua. They represent over two
thousand years of work! When God brings His people into the Promised Land, He covers
each dwelling place with a Sukka or booth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 4:4-6 NKJV 4 When the Lord has
washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of
Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of
burning, 5 then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion,
and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming
fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. 6 And there
will be a tabernacle (sukka) for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a
place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
his stay at Succoth, Jacob proceeded across the Jordan, traveled up the
mountains of Israel and settled for a time in Shechem, the first place that
Abraham stopped at when he entered the land. However, this was not where Jacob
had been instructed to go. He was told to continue on south to the place where
God had first appeared to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 35:1 NKJV 1 Then God said to
Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to
God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your
brother."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
may have built Succoth for his livestock, but he had not yet purged the idols
from his household. Isaiah says that the cleansing and purging of Jerusalem
must happen before God creates a sukka over every dwelling place in Jerusalem.
Jacob finally purged the idols from his household as they left Shechem and
started out for Bethel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 35:2-3 NKJV 2 And Jacob said
to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods
that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 "Then
let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who
answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I
have gone."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel, Jacob built the altar that he had
promised to build to God. As far as fulfilling his vow to give a tenth of all
God blessed him with, the Jewish sage Rashi called the tribute sent to Esau
Jacob’s tithe.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob
is finally back where he started at Bethel where God appeared to him. God
reiterated that Jacob’s name would now be Israel. Further, he would receive the
promise given to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and that
the land would be his inheritance and the inheritance of his descendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 35:9-12 NKJV 9 Then God
appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And
God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob
anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. 11
Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a
nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come
from your body. 12 "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you;
and to your descendants after you I give this land."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob’s
life is an account of a man who struggled throughout his life to attain to the
promise of being a forefather of the Messiah. His life was a series of ups and
downs, good decisions and not so good decisions. He lived with an adversarial
relationship with his brother. He endured exile and a dishonest boss and
father-in-law. Ultimately, he held on to God and attained the promise. Paul
tells us to hold on in spite of our trials to attain the eternal blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV 16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet
the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the
things which are not seen are eternal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the end of Jacob’s life, he was once more be called to leave the land of his
inheritance. As Jacob prepared to leave the land, God appeared to him again and
assured him that He would be with Jacob wherever he went, and that Jacob would
return to the land. Jacob believed God and, through him all nations of the
earth would be blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob sees the angels of God twice, once
before leaving the land and again just before returning to the land. What can
we learn from these visitations? Compare Jacob’s situation to the prophet
Elisha asking God to reveal the presence of angels to his servant in 2 Kings
6:14-17.<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the teaching, we state that the
changing of Jacob’s name to Israel marks his ultimate achievement of obtaining
the blessing and the promise. What spiritual goal do we struggle to attain?
What will mark the achievement of our goal?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What is the significance of Jacob
stopping in Succoth before entering the Promised Land? The children of Israel
stopped at a different place called Succoth as they were leaving Egypt (Exodus
12:37-13:22). How are these two events related?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob sent gifts to Esau to bless him
(Genesis 33:10-11). What outcome did Jacob hope to achieve? Rashi calls these
gifts to Esau Jacob’s tithe to God. How can these be considered Jacob’s tithe
to God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you agree or disagree?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob stopped in Shechem instead of going
on to Bethel and bringing his offerings to God there. What was the result of
that delay? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">insights did you gain from this teaching? What indicators are there in
this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?</span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General
Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998,
2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page
169.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General
Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998,
2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page
169.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General
Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998,
2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page
174-5<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General
Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998,
2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page
127.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>Unrolling
the Scroll</u>. D. Thomas Lancaster. First Fruits of Zion. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>2017
D. T. Lancaster. Book 1 Page 139.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/8%20-%20Vayishlach%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name/8%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayishlech%20-%20Israel%20Shall%20Be%20Your%20Name.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General
Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998,
2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page
147.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-2317155751011222342023-11-22T17:39:00.004-05:002023-11-22T17:39:57.819-05:00Torah Portion Vayetze - The Exile of Jacob<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The video version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/rCFXKz3PqYA"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/rCFXKz3PqYA</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The scripture reading is Genesis
28:10-22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Torah portion tells the story of
Jacob’s exile from the Promised Land. It begins with Jacob leaving the Promised
Land and ends just as he is about to reenter the Land. As it begins Jacob is fleeing
from Esau, and the portion ends Just before Jacob prepares to meet with Esau.
It also begins and ends with a heavenly visitation. These events are like
bookends of Jacob’s time outside of the Promised Land, the land of his
inheritance. The events in between Jacob’s encounters are about more than just
Jacob’s exile; they are about the coming of Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob was born and grew up with Esau
in Be’er Sheva, in the same place where Isaac was living when Rebecca came to
him as a bride. As Jacob prepared to leave the Land and go to Haran to claim a
bride from his mother’s relatives, Isaac sends him out with a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:3-4 NKJV 3 "May God
Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an
assembly of peoples; 4 And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your
descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a
stranger, Which God gave to Abraham."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac passed on the promise that God
had given to Abraham, who had passed it on to him. Now this promise was passed
on to Jacob, but he was leaving the Promised Land! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:5 NKJV 5 So Isaac sent
Jacob away, and he went to Padan Aram, to Laban the son of Bethuel the Syrian,
the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As Jacob journeys from the land, he
would travel north from Be’er Sheva, past Hebron, Salem (that is Jerusalem),
and Shechem, most likely following the reverse of the route that Abraham took
when he entered the Land. Unlike Eleazar, Abraham’s servant who traveled with a
large entourage when he went to Haran to find a wife for Isaac, Jacob traveled
alone, with only his staff for company. Jacob reflects on this Journey when he
returns to the land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:10 NKJV 10 "I am not
worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have
shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I
have become two companies. </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As Jacob traveled north, the day ended
with Jacob still within the borders of the Promised Land. It probably took
Jacob several days of travel before he left the Promised Land. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:10-11 NKJV 10 Now Jacob
went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place
and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the
stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The phrasing here is interesting, he
arrived at a “certain place.” The Hebrew word for place is “makome”, number
4725 in the Strong’s Concordance meaning a standing, a spot, or place. But this
was a “certain place”, or the literal in the Hebrew is “ha makome”, the place. This
is the same phrase used for “the place” that Abraham looked up and saw when he
was taking Isaac to be sacrificed. First Fruits of Zion in <u>Torah Club Volume
One: Unrolling the Scroll</u> explains the connection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where was this place? Rashi identifies
it with Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. In that
story, Genesis 22:4 says, “On the third day Abraham raised up his eyes saw the
place (HaMakom) from a distance.” Therefore, according to Rashi and traditional
Jewish interpretation, the place where Jacob spent the night was on top of
Mount Moriah, the future location of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. This is an
exciting idea because it allows us to see the site of the holy Temple as an
intersection between heaven and earth.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/7%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob/7%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Jacob arrived at “the place,” the
day was ending, and he settled in for the night. The narrative here tells us
the sun had set. It seems like a strange thing to say. Why would the scriptures
point out that the sun had set? It’s night, of course the sun sets at night. By
pointing this out, we see that Jacob is not only entering a time or place of
physical darkness, but a time or place of spiritual darkness as well. In the
next Torah Portion, when Jacob returns to the land, we see that it is as the
sun rises. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:31 NKJV 31 Just as he
crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua warned his disciples that the
night was coming; a time of spiritual darkness during which no one can work the
works of the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 9:4-5 NKJV 4 "I must work
the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one
can work. 5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At Yeshua’s crucifixion and later,
when the Jewish leaders rejected Yeshua and were exiled from the land, they
entered a time of spiritual darkness and separation from their inheritance
which continues to this day. At Yeshua’s crucifixion, He faced the ultimate
spiritual darkness of death and was victorious. This is emphasized in the
account of Jacob’s exile when we are told that Jacob lay down in “the place” to
sleep. Sleep is often a metaphor for death in the Biblical narrative. Yeshua
rose from the dead to begin to form His Kingdom. Jacob will wake up from his
sleep in “the place,” travel to Haran, and begin to build his family. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As Jacob is sleeping with his head
resting on a rock, we can imagine that Jacob was feeling uncertain about the
future. Perhaps anxious about his reception by his family in Haran. While
sleeping, Jacob had a dream. The central object in the dream was a ladder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:12 NKJV 12 Then he dreamed,
and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven;
and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There at “the place,” where Isaac was
willing to give up his life to God, and where Jacob laid his head on a rock to
sleep for the night, Jacob dreamed about a ladder joining heaven to earth. The
word “ladder” is the Hebrew word “sool-lawm’,” number 5551 in Strong’s
Concordance meaning staircase or ladder. This is the only place in the Bible
that this word is used. It comes from the word “saw-lal’,” number 5549 meaning
to mound up. So perhaps rather than a ladder as we would think of it, maybe it
would be more like a series of terraces built up like a staircase. This reminds
me of the tower of Babel which was probably a ziggurat built up of terraces
with staircases reaching up to the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At the Tower of Babel, the inhabitants
of the earth wanted to build a tower that reached to the heavens! God saw what
they were doing and prevented them from finishing it by confusing their
language. What man tried to do and could not, God now showed Jacob that only
God could do. God reached down from Heaven and connected with the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah uses a derivation of the word
“saw-lal’,” meaning to mound up in his description of a path or a highway to
Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 35:8 MKJV 8 And a highway shall
be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The Way of Holiness. The unclean
shall not pass over it. But He shall be with them; the wayfaring men, though
fools, shall not err in it. </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Hebrew word Isaiah uses here is
“mas-lool’” number 4547 which is translated as highway. Like “sool-lawm” it is
used only once in the entire Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God showed Jacob a staircase leading
to heaven. Those who ascended and descended on it were angels. In Hebrew, there
is no gender-neutral pronoun for the word “it.” The pronoun used for ascending
and descending on the ladder is the masculine form “him.” The text of Genesis
28:12 could read that “the angels of God were ascending and descending on him
or because of him.” By translating the verse in this way, we can now understand
that the staircase between heaven and earth is the Messiah! Yeshua referred to
this understanding of this verse in Genesis in his discussion with Nathaniel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 1:51 NKJV 51 And He said to him,
"Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and
the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nathaniel would see the way to heaven
open and angels ascending and descending because of Yeshua! It is through or
because of Messiah that the angels came to bring news of Yeshua’s birth to Zacharias,
Mary, and the shepherds. The angels descended to Joseph to warn him of the
danger from Herod. And they descended to strengthen Yeshua in the garden of
Gethsemane. The Psalmist tells us that the angels were with Yeshua at all
times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 91:11-12 NKJV 11 For He shall
give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their
hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua could have called a legion of
angels to protect Him from arrest and death on the cross. Peter wanted to
protect Yeshua from arrest while in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yeshua rebuked
Peter with the words that He could call on legions of angels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 26:53 NKJV 53 "Or do you
think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more
than twelve legions of angels?</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Jacob’s vision, he saw God at the
top of the staircase.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:13-14 NKJV 13 And behold,
the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your
father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and
your descendants. 14 "Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the
earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the
south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this passage, we can again read the
pronoun “it” as “him” and understand this verse as saying that God stood above
Him. God stands above Jacob as confirmation of the covenant promise given to
Abraham and passed down to Jacob through Isaac. Jacob would inherit the
Promised Land! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the case of Yeshua, we see God
again standing above Yeshua as He enters Jerusalem and cries out that God sent
Him for the purpose of glorifying the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 12:27-28 NKJV 27 "Now My
soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But
for this purpose, I came to this hour. 28 "Father, glorify Your
name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified
it and will glorify it again."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After Yeshua’s resurrection, the
Father waited at the gates of heaven for Yeshua to ascend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 20:17 NKJV 17 Jesus said to her,
"Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to
My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and
to My God and your God.'"</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now, as Jacob is leaving the Promised
Land, God has confirmed that the covenant He made with Abraham has been passed
to Jacob. God tells Jacob that He will be with him during his time out of the
land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:15 NKJV 15 "Behold, I
am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this
land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to
you."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The word “keep” is the Hebrew word
“shaw-mar’,” number 8104 meaning to hedge about as with thorns, to guard and
protect. God promised Jacob that He would guard and protect him while he was
out of the land and out from under the protection of Isaac! As Jacob left the
land seemingly alone, he had much more than simply his staff for protection!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Jacob woke up, he acknowledged
the presence of God in the place where he laid down to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:16-17 NKJV 16 Then Jacob
awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I
did not know it." 17 And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this
place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of
heaven!" </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This encounter with God was beyond
anything that Jacob had experienced in the past. Jacob certainly was in awe! He
immediately anointed the stone that he had laid upon and set it up as a
memorial. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:18-19 NKJV 18 Then Jacob
rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put at his head, set
it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19 And he called the name of
that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob anointed the stone. This is the
first anointing ceremony mentioned in the Bible. Jacob called the place where
he anointed the stone Bethel which means house of God. We can also see this
anointing at the place where Abraham offered up Isaac as the anointing of
Messiah who was the stone the builders rejected! Jacob symbolically built a
house of God at the place that God revealed a staircase connecting Heaven and
earth! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob also states this place was
called luz. There seems to be a confusion of places here. The sages clearly
equate “the place” with Jerusalem and Mount Moriah. The International Standard
Bible Encyclopedia gives a possible explanation for the name confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We find that the name Bethel was given
to “the place,” ha- makome, i.e. “the sanctuary,” probably “the place”
associated with the sacrifice of Abraham, which lay to the east of Bethel. The
name of the city as distinguished from “the place” was Luz. As the fame of the
sanctuary grew, we may suppose, its name overshadowed, and finally superseded,
that of the neighboring town.<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/7%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob/7%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before Jacob left the place, he made a
vow to God. Jacob would return to the place and give a tithe of all that God
would bless him with during his exile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:20-22 YLT 20 And Jacob
voweth a vow, saying, `Seeing God is with me, and hath kept me in this way
which I am going, and hath given to me bread to eat, and a garment to put on--
21 when I have turned back in peace unto the house of my father, and Jehovah
hath become my God, 22 then this stone which I have made a standing pillar is a
house of God, and all that Thou dost give to me--tithing I tithe to Thee.'</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As Jacob leaves the Promised Land, he
goes with renewed confidence that God is going with him, will prosper him, and
bring him back to the land! Jacob arrives safely in Padan-Aram where his uncle
Laban lives. He marries both Leah and Rachel and eleven of his twelve sons are
born there. As promised, God blessed Jacob and prospered him. Jacob prospered
so much that the sons of Laban become jealous and accuse him of stealing their
birthright. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 30:43 - 31:2 NKJV 43 Thus the
man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male
servants, and camels and donkeys. 1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons,
saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was
our father's he has acquired all this wealth." 2 And Jacob saw the
countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At that time, the LORD spoke to Jacob
telling him it was time to return home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 31:3 NKJV 3 Then the LORD said
to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I
will be with you."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we look at Jacob leaving the
Promised Land as being a foreshadow of Yeshua’s first coming, then Jacob
leaving Padan-Aram and returning to the Promised Land is a foreshadow of
Yeshua’s return. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob had lived peacefully with Laban
and Laban’s family for twenty years. In the twenty-first year, Laban and his
sons turn against him. Jacob again listens to God, gathers up his household and
all of the livestock that he painstakingly worked for even though Laban
constantly changed the terms of their agreement. Then, in spite of Laban’s
opposition, Jacob arrives safely back at the entrance of the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 32:1-2 NKJV 1 So Jacob went on
his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said,
"This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The name “Mahanaim,” number 4266 means
double camp. It was a camp for both the family and livestock of Jacob, and the
encampment of the heavenly angels. As Jacob readies to go into the Promised
Land, he is met with a company of angels. When Yeshua returns to the Promised
Land, He will be accompanied by a host of angels. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 25:31-32 NKJV 31 "When
the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He
will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 "All the nations will be gathered
before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides
his sheep from the goats.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jacob began and ended his journey
outside of the Promised Land with a visitation by heavenly messengers and the
promise of God’s presence to be with him. Yeshua began His ministry on Earth
with a heavenly visitation. The Spirit of God came and rested on Him at His
baptism. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 3:16 NKJV 16 When He had been
baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens
were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
alighting upon Him.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can see that the Holy Spirit was
with Jacob the entire time he was outside the Promised land. Jacob returned
with the multitude of blessings he received while in exile outside the Promised
Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Holy Spirit was with Yeshua
throughout His ministry on earth, and He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us as
we are charged with building His kingdom here on earth in his absence. When
Yeshua returns it will be with the accompaniment of His family, that is those
who have cleaved themselves to him, and with the heavenly messengers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob anointed the rock which he presumably used
to sleep on and set it up as a memorial. What was this a memorial for? In
general, what is the purpose of anointing something or someone? Give examples
in scripture.</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does physical exile represent or is a
metaphor for spiritual darkness? How has this concept played out in the
Biblical narrative?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What was the assurance that God gave to
Jacob as he left the Promised Land for Padan-Aram? How are we given a similar
assurance today?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion Questions</span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Hebrew word for ladder in Genesis
28:12 is sool-lawm’, #5551 from the root word saw-lal’ #5549. How is saw-lal’
used in the scriptures, and how does it reflect the concept of a ladder or
staircase connecting heaven to earth?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Identify the two stones mentioned in this
Torah Portion. What are they and how do they reflect Messiah Yeshua?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other insights did you gain from
this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to
Messiah Yeshua?</span></span></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/7%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob/7%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Torah
Club. Volume One Unrolling the Scroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>D. Thomas Lancaster. First Fruits of Zion. 800.775.4807. <a href="http://www.ffoz.org/">www.ffoz.org</a>. Page 110.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/7%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob/7%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Vayetze%20-%20The%20Exile%20of%20Jacob.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Power Bible. International Bible Encyclopedia entry on Luz.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-79777073152385771862023-11-15T16:34:00.001-05:002023-11-15T16:34:26.826-05:00Torah Portion Toldot - The Life of Isaac<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/ajiuU80-2JE"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/ajiuU80-2JE</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Scripture reading is Genesis 26:1-35<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah portion this week, titled Toldot which means generations, tells us the
story of Isaac and his sons. As the story begins, we see many parallels with
the life of his father Abraham. They both had wives who were barren; they had
sons who were at odds with each other. They both had an encounter with King
Abimelech which ended in the establishment of a covenant. What do these
parallels tell us about the promised seed that would come through Abraham and
Isaac? What does Isaac’s life teach us about walking with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the Torah portion opens, we learn that Isaac was forty years old when he married
Rebekah. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 25:19-20 NKJV 19 This is the
genealogy of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham begot Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty
years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of
Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
pick up the account of Isaac’s life when he is a grown man of forty, which is three
years after the death of his mother Sarah. The only event that we know about of
Isaac’s life prior to Sarah’s death is that of his own near death by sacrifice.
Jewish tradition credits the binding of Isaac as the cause of Sarah’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The sages teach that the narratives of
Sarah’s death and the Akeidah follow one another to indicate that she died as a
result of that event. She was told by Satan that Abraham had actually
slaughtered Isaac, and she cried out in grief and died (Targum Yonason).<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/6%20-%20Toldot%20-%20The%20Life%20of%20Isaac/6%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Toldot%20-%20The%20Life%20of%20Isaac.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
the binding of Isaac was the cause of Sarah’s death, then Isaac would have been
thirty-seven years old and Abraham one hundred thirty-seven years old when
Isaac consented to be bound for the sacrifice. At those ages, Abraham would not
have been able to forcibly bind Isaac. That Isaac consented to being bound
demonstrates his complete trust and faith in both Abraham and God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
death of his mother, however, deeply grieved Isaac. He lived away from Abraham
near Beer Lahai Roi which means the “Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” Isaac
was out in the field when Eliezer arrived with Rebekah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:63 NKJV 63 And Isaac went
out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked,
and there, the camels were coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Hebrew word translated as “meditate” is used in only this one place in
scripture. The <u>Stone Edition Chumash</u> translates the word as “supplicate”
instead of “meditate.” Isaac was in the field meditating or in supplication
with God, perhaps asking for comfort after his mother’s death. When Eliezer
presented Rebekah as his wife, Isaac found comfort for his mother’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:67 NKJV 67 Then Isaac
brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became
his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even
after his marriage to Rebekah, Isaac’s life was not easy or smooth. Rebekah,
like Isaac’s mother Sarah, was barren. Isaac once more went to the LORD with
his needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 25:21 NKJV 21 Now Isaac
pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD
granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “pleaded” is the Hebrew word “aw-thar,” number 6279 in
Strong’s Concordance meaning to burn incense in worship, intercede, entreat, or
pray. In the King James translation of the Bible, this word is most often
translated as “entreat” which implies an ongoing activity. These words are
similar in meaning to the word supplicate. Isaac approached God in supplication
when he needed comfort over the death of his mother. He again approached God in
supplication that Rebekah would conceive, and he continued his entreaty until
God answered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
tells his followers that we should be persistent in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 18:1 NKJV 1 Then He spoke a
parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
parable was about a widow who pestered an unjust judge until he acted for her in
order to get her to stop bothering him. Yeshua concluded that if the unjust
judge will act reluctantly to bring justice, then the righteous God of all the
universe will surely answer the persistent calls of His own people to bring
justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 18:6-7 NKJV 6 Then the Lord said,
"Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 "And shall God not avenge His own
elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
knew that the promise given to Abraham would be passed on through his line. I’m
sure that both Abraham and Sarah would have told Isaac about his incredible
birth as a result of God’s promise to them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 17:19 MKJV 19 And God said,
Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed. And you shall call his name Isaac.
And I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with
his seed after him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham,
who was still living at this time, would have reminded Isaac of this promise
that God would establish a covenant with him and his descendants. Finally, when
Isaac was sixty years old, after twenty years of entreating God, Rebekah gave
birth to twins, Esau and Jacob. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next significant event as related to Isaac is the arrival of a famine in the
land similar to the famine when Abraham first entered the land. While Abraham
went to Egypt to escape the famine, God had other plans for Isaac. God appeared
to Isaac at the beginning and the end of the famine. He instructed Isaac not to
go to Egypt but to stay in the land in the place where God directed him to go. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:2-3 NKJV 2 Then the LORD
appeared to him and said: "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of
which I shall tell you. 3 "Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and
bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will
perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
reassured Isaac that in spite of the famine, the land would still eventually go
to his descendants, and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed
because of Abraham’s obedience to God’s voice. This is the first time the
scripture records that God appeared to Isaac and confirmed that the promise He
gave to Abraham had now been passed to Isaac. It could be that this was shortly
after Abraham’s death which was when Isaac was seventy-five and his sons were
fifteen years old.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
followed God’s instructions and moved west near the coast into the land of the
Philistine King Abimelech. Abraham had an earlier agreement with King Abimelech
who was probably the father of the King Abimelech that Isaac encountered.
Abraham’s agreement with Abimelech was that he could dwell anywhere in
Abimelech’s territory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Following
in the pattern of Abraham, Isaac passed Rebekah off as his sister. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:6-7 NKJV 6 So Isaac dwelt
in Gerar. 7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said,
"She is my sister"; for he was afraid to say, "She is my
wife," because he thought, "lest the men of the place kill me for
Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fortunately,
Abimelech discovered the truth about Rebekah before anyone tried to take her as
a wife. However, Isaac’s actions put others in jeopardy of unknowingly
committing a sin. Abimelech calls him out on his thoughtless actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:10-11 NKJV 10 And Abimelech
said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have
lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us." 11 So
Abimelech charged all his people, saying, "He who touches this man or his
wife shall surely be put to death."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
spite of Isaac dealing deceitfully with him, Abimelech assured Isaac of the
safety of his entire household while in his land. Abimelech honored his
agreement with Abraham. Only after the deceit is uncovered and everything is out
in the open, do we read that Isaac prospered in the land of Abimelech.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:12-14 NKJV 12 Then Isaac
sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD
blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he
became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of
herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham’s
sojourn in Egypt during the famine of his time foreshadowed the sojourn in
Egypt of the children of Israel. Their deliverance from Egypt marked the
fulfillment of God’s promise that the seed of Abraham would receive the
Promised Land. Isaac’s sojourn in the land of the Philistines seems to
foreshadow Israel’s sojourn among the nations. When there is respect between
Israel and the people of the nation in which they are dwelling, Israel prospers
and so does that nation. However, jealousy soon rears its head. When the
Philistines became envious of God’s blessing on Isaac, they began to sabotage
his crops and livestock by stopping up the wells that dated back to the time
that Abraham lived among the Philistines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:15-16 NKJV 15 Now the
Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father's servants had dug in
the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. 16 And
Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than
we."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
moved his dwelling place which would have involved leaving behind the fields
that he had sowed and reaped. As he went, he dug new wells. But everywhere he
went, he was unwelcome. Any well he dug was claimed by the residents of the
land. Finally, he found a place where he was not driven away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:22 NKJV 22 And he moved
from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called
its name Rehoboth, because he said, "For now the LORD has made room for
us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eventually
the famine ended, and Isaac moved back east to the region of Beersheba. At this
time, the LORD appeared for a second time to Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:23-25 NKJV 23 Then he went
up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and
said, "I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with
you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's
sake." 25 So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD,
and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
whole narrative of Isaac’s time among the Philistines is structured around the
building of wells. In a time of famine, water is even more precious than usual.
It is not surprising that Isaac marked his arrival in Beersheba by digging a
well. What may have been surprising is that Abimelech followed Isaac to
Beersheba for the purpose of making a covenant with him. Abimelech saw and
understood that the LORD was with Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:28-29 NKJV 28 But they
said, "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, 'Let
there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant
with you, 29 'that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and
since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You
are now the blessed of the LORD.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
covenant that Abraham made with Abimelech was that Abraham could live among the
Philistines. The covenant that Isaac made established peace between their
peoples. The well that Isaac’s men had just dug was named in honor of this
agreement. The name “Beersheba” means the well of the oath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
and his family settled in at Beersheba. His son Esau married two Hittite women
when he was forty years old. All the reasons that Abraham had secured a wife
for Isaac from his own people and not the Canaanites should have applied to
Esau. In fact, Esau’s wives caused grief to Isaac and Rebekah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:34-35 NKJV 34 When Esau was
forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and
Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 And they were a grief of mind to
Isaac and Rebekah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
was now over one hundred years old, and his eyesight began to dim. He decided
it was time to pass on the blessing and the promise to his eldest son. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 27:1 NKJV 1 Now it came to
pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that
he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." And he
answered him, "Here I am."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
not only had trouble with his physical sight, he also had trouble with his
spiritual sight. He did not see the faults of his older son Esau. Esau was
described as a man of the world and a skilled hunter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 25:27-28 NKJV 27 So the boys
grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild
man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but
Rebekah loved Jacob.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Esau
demonstrated physical prowess and enjoyed going out among the residents of the
land. He catered to his father’s desire for wild game. In today’s world, Esau
would be the star athlete and Isaac would delight in his skill and popularity.
Jacob on the other hand is described, at least in our English translations, as
quiet, mild, or plain preferring to stay at home in the tents. However, our
English translations totally miss the meaning of the Hebrew. The Hebrew word that
describes Jacob is “tawm,” number 8535 meaning complete, morally upright,
perfect. Every other place where this word is used in the scriptures it is
translated as perfect, upright, or undefiled! When correctly translated, the
description of Jacob stands in contrast to Esau. Esau loved the field which is
often a metaphor for the world. Jacob loved being in the tent. The author of
Hebrews states that living in the tent with Abraham and Isaac symbolized that
they were looking for a city that was not in this world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 11:9-10 NIV 9 By faith he made
his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in
tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and
builder is God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Esau
demonstrated his lack of moral uprightness when he sold his birthright for a
bowl of stew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 25:30-34 NKJV 30 And Esau said
to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary."
Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, "Sell me your
birthright as of this day." 32 And Esau said, "Look, I am about to
die; so what is this birthright to me?" 33 Then Jacob said, "Swear to
me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose,
and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Esau
got his nickname of Edom meaning red from this event. The event must have been
witnessed by others in order for the nickname to have been bestowed on him.
Every time Esau was called Edom, it was a reminder that he had sold the
birthright. This was a legally witnessed transaction. The birthright legally
belonged to Jacob. Did Isaac choose to ignore this transaction when he decided
to give the blessing to Esau instead?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
the fiasco of the deceit of Jacob passing himself off as Esau to obtain the
blessing that legally belonged to him, Isaac seems to have finally understood
that the line of the promised seed was to go through Jacob and not Esau.
Rebekah pointed out that Esau’s Hittite wives were incompatible with the
promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 27:46 NKJV 46 And Rebekah said
to Isaac, "I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if
Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters
of the land, what good will my life be to me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
good would it have been for Rebekah to have left her land and her family behind
if the promise ended up going through the Canaanites. Further, Rebekah had
received a message from the LORD before Esau and Jacob were born that Esau
would serve Jacob. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac
responds by sending Jacob to Padan Haram in the region of Haran to take a wife
from the daughters of Rebekah’s brother. As he sends Jacob off, Isaac formally
passes on the blessing God gave to Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 28:3-4 NKJV 3 "May God
Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an
assembly of peoples; 4 And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your
descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a
stranger, Which God gave to Abraham."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
chose Abraham from out of all the families of the earth to be the one through
whom the Promised Messiah would come. From Abraham’s sons, God chose Isaac the
son of his wife Sarah to carry on the promise. Then God chose Jacob to bring
the promise to the next generation. Jacob was the one that God chose to establish
an entire nation with all of his sons inheriting in the Promised Land. God did
not automatically choose the firstborn son as man would. God looked on the
heart and chose the man who had a heart to walk in God’s ways. When God sent
Isaac to the land of the Philistines during the time of the famine, he told
Isaac that he would inherit the land because Abraham obeyed God’s voice and
walked in His ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 26:4-5 NKJV 4 "And I will
make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your
descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth
shall be blessed; 5 "because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge,
My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac’s
life teaches us that walking with God is a journey and a process. We will not
be perfect in our walk. There are times when we walk closer to God than others,
but we should always strive to follow His ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The scriptures record God appearing to
Isaac twice, before and after the famine. Why is the timing of these
appearances important?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What would the Philistines have learned
about God while Isaac lived among them? Compare this to Deuteronomy 4:5-6. How
are we to live while among a non-believing population?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What do the parallels between Abraham’s
life and Isaac’s life tell us about the coming of the promised Messiah? What do
they tell us about the walk of faith in general?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What evidence do we have that Esau was
not worthy of being the one through whom the promised Messiah would come? How
was Isaac blind to Esau’s faults?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jacob’s name means heel. God’s words to
the serpent were that the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of Eve
(Gen. 3:15). How has this been fulfilled?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other insights did you gain from
this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to
Messiah Yeshua?</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Words%20From%20Our%20Father/6%20-%20Toldot%20-%20The%20Life%20of%20Isaac/6%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Toldot%20-%20The%20Life%20of%20Isaac.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <u>The
Stone Edition Chumash</u>. General Editor Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Mesorah
Publications, ltd. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1998, 2000 Mesorah Publications, ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page 106.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-18176159173160276052023-11-08T19:22:00.001-05:002023-11-08T19:22:30.285-05:00Torah Portion Chayai Sarah - The Giver of Life<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/ipymoXgF658"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/ipymoXgF658</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
scripture reading is Genesis 23:1-25:19<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah portion for this week is called “Chayai Sarah,” meaning “Life of Sarah.”
This portion begins with the numbering of Sarah’s years at her death detailing
the purchase of a burial cave for her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 23:1-2 NKJV 1 Sarah lived one
hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 So
Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham
came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
portion goes on to describe finding a bride for Isaac with whom he finds
comfort when he brings her into Sarah’s tent. Each of the four previous Torah
Portions, have in some way, dealt with a kind of new beginning. This portion is
no different. Chayai Sarah directly connects back to Eve in the Garden of Eden
and her role as the original life giver.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the sixth day, God created man. We know Adam’s name from the beginning, but we
don’t learn Eve’s name until the moment they are being exiled from the Garden
of Eden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 3:20 NKJV 20 And Adam called
his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s
in just one verse seemingly recorded as “Oh, by the way the woman’s name was
Eve.” However, no statement in the Bible is insignificant; the woman’s name is
important. We should also note that the woman’s name is not Eve as we see in
most translations. Her name is actually Chavvah, number 2332 in Strong’s
Concordance meaning “life-giver.” The name is from the Hebrew word “Chayai,”
number 2421 meaning “to live.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s
ironic that we are told Chavvah’s name, meaning life-giver right when Adam and
Eve are prohibited from accessing the tree of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 3:22-23 NKJV 22 Then the LORD
God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and
evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and
eat, and live forever" - 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the
garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
exiled from the Garden, Adam and Chavvah have children and begin the process of
populating the Earth. Adam and Chavvah know that through one of these children,
God will fulfill His promise to crush the head of the serpent that deceived
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 3:14-15 NKJV 14 So the LORD
God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more
than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you
shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put
enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall
bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
one who bruises the head of the serpent will come from a seed of Chavvah, the
mother of all living! By starting this week’s Torah portion with “the Life of
Sarah,” we are reminded of this promise made to Chavvah! The prophet Isaiah
tells the children of Israel to remember their father Abraham and their mother
Sarah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 51:1-3 NKJV 1 "Listen to
Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock
from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. 2
Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone,
And blessed him and increased him." 3 For the LORD will comfort Zion, He
will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And
her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
passage is written in Hebraic poetic form. Verses one and two are parallel
statements. The rock refers to Abraham their father. The pit from which they
were dug is parallel to Sarah who bore them. The children of Israel were hewn
from Abraham. The quarry or pit from which they were taken is that of Sarah’s
womb who gave birth to them. Those who follow after righteousness are the true
offspring of both Abraham and Sarah. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John
the Baptist uses a similar metaphor or perhaps refers directly to this one when
He declares that the Pharisees and Sadducees are not the righteous examples,
they think they are!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 3:7-9 NKJV 7 But when he saw
many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,
"Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 "and do not think to
say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God
is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah
goes on to say that Abraham is the only one God called who would bring comfort
to Zion. The poetic form of verse three equates Zion with the Garden of Eden.
When God brings comfort to Zion, Zion will be like the Garden of Eden. It will
be a place of joy and gladness. We see that through Abraham and those born of
Sarah, God will make Zion like the Garden of Eden. This is a further extension
of the promise that through a seed of Chavvah, the head of the serpent will be
crushed. It envisions a reversal of the curse on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acting
on God’s promise and understanding that the promise meant that eventually the
Canaanites would be driven out of the land and his seed would inherit the land,
Abraham set out to purchase a burial place in the land for himself and Sarah. Abraham
and his descendants would then have the right of access to this burial place because
Abraham purchased it. Abraham negotiated with the Hittite Ephron to purchase a
burial cave and the land surrounding it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 23:16-18 NKJV 16 And Abraham
listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had
named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver,
currency of the merchants. 17 So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah,
which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the
trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders,
were deeded 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth,
before all who went in at the gate of his city. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Machpelah, number 4375 in Strong’s Concordance means a fold or double. It
comes from the word “kaphal,” number 3717 meaning to fold together, repeat or
double. Abraham purchased “the Machpelah” which is twice referred to as the
cave and other times referred to as the cave of the field of Machpelah. He
purchased the field, the trees and the cave all of which are the Machpelah.
This purchase is in the tribal lands of Judah which God says is His portion in
the land. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zechariah 2:12 NKJV 12 "And the
LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and
will again choose Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
burial cave will eventually contain the remains of Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and
Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah. Jacob made sure that his remains would be taken
out of Egypt when he died and buried with his fathers in the Machpelah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 49:29-31 KJV 29 And he charged
them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my
fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 In the cave
that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of
Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a
possession of a burying place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife;
there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
cave is outside the city of Hebron which is also called Kirjath Arba in the
region called Mamre. The name Hebron, number 2275, means the place of
association. The name Kirjath Arba, number 7153 means the city of the four.
There were four giants associated with the city of Hebron who were the sons and
grandsons of Arba. However, the Jewish Encyclopedia relates another explanation
for the name. The rabbis explain that it is called the city of the four because
of the four couples buried there. They say that in addition to the other three
couples already mentioned, Adam and Eve are also buried there. The author of
Hebrews tells us that all these died in faith waiting to receive the promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 11:9, 16 NKJV 9 By faith he
dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with
Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;…16 But now they desire
a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be
called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First
Fruits of Zion in <u>Shadows of the Messiah</u> quote the Jewish writings that
say that the resurrection of the dead will begin at Hebron.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In that hour, [Messiah] goes up and
brings glad tidings to those who sleep in Machpelah, and says to them: Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, rise! Enough have you slept!” and they reply and say: “Who is
this who removes the dust from over us?” and he says to them: “I am Messiah of
the LORD. Salvation is near, the hour is near.” And they answer: “If that is
so, go and bring the tidings to Adam the first man, so that he should rise
first.” In that hour they say to Adam the first man: “Enough have you slept!” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pirkei Mashiach, </i>Beit HaMidrash 3:73-74)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name of the area in which the Machpelah is located is Mamre. Mamre, number 4471,
means vigor or lusty, strength or good health. Sarah, the mother of the
righteous, the giver or source of life, is buried in a cave located in a region
of strength and good health in the city associated with the four. Whether the
association is with the four giants, or the four couples buried at Machpelah, it
is up to what each individual sees when they come to that place. When God took
the children of Israel into the Promised Land, Moses sent out twelve men to
look over the land. Ten of the men saw only the giants in the land. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numbers 13:32-33 NKJV 32 And they gave
the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out,
saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that
devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great
stature. 33 "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from
the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in
their sight."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not
all the spies saw the area as inhospitable and inhabited by giants. Joshua and
Caleb saw the abundance of the land, and that God had prepared the land for
them and urged the children of Israel to take the land. Caleb would eventually
win Hebron and the surrounding region as his portion in the Promised Land, and
drive out the four giants of the land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah
said that those who sought after righteousness were true sons of Abraham and
Sarah. Caleb was a true son of Abraham and Sarah. He won the right to receive
Hebron and the surrounding fields as his inheritance because he fully followed
the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joshua 14:14 NKJV 14 Hebron therefore
became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day,
because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sarah
was the first to be buried at the cave in Machpelah. After her burial, Abraham
decided it was time to find a bride for Isaac. Not just any bride would do. Following
God’s instruction, Abraham was not to take a bride for Isaac from among the
Canaanites. So, he sent his servant back to Haran to find a bride from among
his family who had journeyed with him from Ur as far as Haran. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:2-4 NKJV 2 So Abraham said
to the oldest servant of his <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>house, who
ruled over all that he had, "Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3
"and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of
the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the
Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 "but you shall go to my country and to
my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham
told his servant that God would send an angel to prepare the way and to guide
him in his choice of a bride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:7 NKJV 7 "The LORD God
of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family,
and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, 'To your descendants I give this
land,' He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son
from there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham
cautioned that whoever his servant chose as a bride for Isaac, must be willing
to leave her home and travel back to the Promised Land. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:8 NKJV 8 "And if the
woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath;
only do not take my son back there."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
future of Abraham’s seed was not in Haran in the kingdom of Babylon; it was in
the Promised Land. This was the place that God called Abraham to leave his home
and family for. This was the place that God promised to restore. It was to be
like the Garden of Eden. Once on the journey to the promised land there was no
turning back. However, when the ten spies saw only the giants in the land, they
wanted to select new leaders and go back to Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numbers 14:3 NKJV 3 "Why has the
LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children
should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was at that point, that God said they would never enter the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Yeshua was on His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover that would end in His
death on the cross, He encountered a rich man who would not give up his riches
to follow Yeshua. Peter declared that he and the other apostles had left all to
follow Yeshua.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 18:28-30 NKJV 28 Then Peter said,
"See, we have left all and followed You." 29 So He said to them,
"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or
brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 "who
shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come
eternal life."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rebecca
was one who left all behind to follow Abraham’s servant to the Promised Land to
receive Isaac as her husband. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
said that the only ones who can come to Him are those drawn by the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 6:44 NKJV 44 "No one can
come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at
the last day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul
tells us that we, like Abraham, are called out from the world around us to be
separate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NKJV 17
Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not
touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a
Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD
Almighty."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
Abraham’s servant arrived in Haran, he found Rebekah near a well and asks her
for a drink of water. When she readily gives him a drink, he knew she was the
one selected for Isaac and he offered her gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:22 NKJV 22 So it was, when
the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing
half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
offers us gifts if we decide to follow Him. Peter explains that both the gift
of the Holy Spirit and the inheritance of the promise of Abraham are available
to all who believe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acts 2:38-39 NKJV 38 Then Peter said
to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to
all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rebekah
chose to leave her old life behind and immediately go to the Promised Land to
meet Isaac her bridegroom! They meet at the place where Isaac was dwelling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 24:62-64 NKJV 62 Now Isaac
came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. 63 And Isaac
went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and
looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and
when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from her camel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name “Beer Lahai Roi,” number 883, means the “Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.”
Isaac and Rebecca lifted their eyes and saw each other at the place of the
living one. Isaac immediately brought her into Sarah’s tent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham
and Isaac receive hope and comfort after <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the death of Sarah. Her burial place at the
Machpelah points to the hope of resurrection. Rebekah takes on the mantle of
Sarah and becomes the life-giver. Through Rebekah, Jacob was born. And it is
through Jacob, who became Israel, the promise of Abraham will pass to a
multitude of nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
this Torah portion we see that Sarah carries on the promise as life giver
reflected in the name and promise give to Chavvah. By the power of the Holy
spirit, Sarah is given new life to pass on new life to the next generation
through her son Isaac. Yeshua has granted us new life when we receive Him as
our redeemer and savior. We are, in turn, charged with the task to pass that
new life to successive generations, further building God’s kingdom here on
earth. Like Rebekah, who left her old life behind, we are also called to leave
behind our old life and pass on new life, the gospel of salvation, to all who
would receive it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the Isaiah passage we read in the
teaching, Isaiah 51:1-3, How is the comfort of Zion accomplished? What is this
passage telling us about Abraham and Sarah?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why is it that the LORD commanded
Abraham not to choose a bride for Isaac from among the Canaanites?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is the significance of Isaac
taking Rebekah into Sarah’s tent? What are the physical and spiritual aspects
of this action?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">General
Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The four women mentioned in the
traditional Sabbath prayers over the daughters of the household are Sarah,
Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. How are all these women a reflection of the promise
to Chavvah (Eve)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The twelve spies that Moses sent out
to reconnoiter the Promised Land went to the area around Hebron. Ten of the
spies saw only the giants; the sons of Arba. Joshua and Caleb on the other
hand, saw a land flowing with milk and honey just as the LORD promised. How is
it that the ten only focused on the giants? How do we miss God’s blessings when
we focus on the wrong things?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What other insights did you gain from
this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to
Messiah Yeshua?</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-75791253605257524222023-11-01T17:23:00.000-04:002023-11-01T17:23:01.995-04:00Torah Portion Vayera - I Have Known Him<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reading
– Genesis 18:1-19:3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at </span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/2j2en2URo0Q"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/2j2en2URo0Q</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the last Torah portion, God appeared to Abraham to announce that He was
establishing a covenant with him. This covenant promised that Abraham and Sarah
would be the father and mother of many nations. The descendants of Abraham,
born from his wife Sarah, would be given all the land of the Canaanites for
their possession. The birth of Abraham’s son through Sarah would occur within
the year. As a sign of this covenant, God told Abraham to circumcise himself
and all the males of his household. This Torah portion picks up as Abraham and
his household are recovering from this circumcision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:1 NKJV 1 Then the LORD
appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent
door in the heat of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
purpose of God’s visit is to reaffirm the promise that Sarah would have a child
through whom God’s covenant to Abraham would be fulfilled and to inform Abraham
of the judgment that was coming on Sodom and the other cities of the plain. God,
also, wanted to test Abraham’s commitment to walking in His ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s
paint the picture that this first verse of our Torah portion reveals. Abraham’s
tent is pitched close to a terebinth tree. The terebinth tree is a type of oak
with broad sweeping branches creating a shelter from the sun and the rain. As
Abraham is sitting at the door of his tent enjoying the shade of the tree, the
LORD appeared to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:2-3 NKJV 2 So he lifted his
eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw
them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
3 and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass
on by Your servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the traditional Christian understanding of this situation, we interpret the
LORD appearing to Abraham as the LORD being one of the three men. In support of
this position, when the three men leave, only two, who are identified as
angels, actually go to Sodom. It seems that one of the men stays behind to
continue to talk to Abraham and is identified as the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:22 NKJV 22 Then the men
turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before
the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the Judaic understanding, the LORD appeared to Abraham before the three men
arrived. AT the time of their arrival, Abraham was enjoying the presence of the
LORD. Abraham thinks nothing of leaving God’s presence to jump up and run to
meet the strangers! Remember, Abraham was still recovering from his
circumcision! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whether
the LORD was already with Abraham when the men appear or whether He is one of
the strangers appearing as the Angel of the LORD, Abraham treats all three as
honored guests. He and Sarah prepare a meal for the strangers. When the meal is
ready, he serves it to the men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:6-8 NKJV 6 So Abraham
hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three
measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes." 7 And Abraham ran to the
herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to
prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and
set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the men are eating, they repeat the message that Abraham had received from the
LORD just a few days earlier. One of the strangers or was it the LORD addresses
Abraham. Notice that it isn’t the men who speak, but He, in the singular, who
speaks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:10 NKJV 10a And He said,
"I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold,
Sarah your wife shall have a son." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
would return at the appointed time and, as a result of that visit, Sarah would
conceive and have a son. This visitation would occur after an interesting
encounter between Abraham and Abimelech king of Gerar. Abraham introduced Sarah
to Abimelech as his sister just like he did with Pharoah in Egypt. Abraham
gives his reason for doing so later in the story. He saw that the people of
Gerar did not fear the LORD, so he expected them to act in the way of the
people from before the flood taking any beautiful woman they wanted as their
wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 20:11 NKJV 11 And Abraham
said, "Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and
they will kill me on account of my wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like God intervened to protect Sarah from Pharoah, God acted to protect Sarah
from Abimelech. With Pharoah, God sent plagues, but with Abimelech, He closed
the wombs of the women of Abimelech’s household. Their wombs were only opened
after Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham and allowed Abraham to pray for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 20:7 NKJV 7 "Now
therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for
you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall
surely die, you and all who are yours."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abimelech
returned Sarah and gave Abraham gifts of sheep, oxen, and servants. Then
Abraham prayed that God would heal Abimelech and open the wombs of the women of
his household.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 20:17-18 NKJV 17 So Abraham
prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants.
Then they bore children; 18 for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the
house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Immediately
after this, we learn that the LORD visited Sarah as He said He would and opened
her womb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 21:1-2 NKJV 1 And the LORD
visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2
For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of
which God had spoken to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
account closely follows the account of Mary’s conception of Yeshua. Like with
Sarah and Isaac, Yeshua’s name was given to Him before He was conceived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 1:30-31 NKJV 30 Then the angel
said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and
shall call His name JESUS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
angel Gabriel announced that the Holy Spirit would visit her, and she would
have a child. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 1:35 NKJV 35 And the angel
answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the
power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is
to be born will be called the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first purpose affirming that Sarah would have a son was accomplished. As the
men were leaving, the LORD declared that Abraham passed the test of walking in
His ways. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:17-19 NKJV 17 And the LORD
said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 "since Abraham
shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth
shall be blessed in him? 19 "For I have known him, in order that he may
command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the
LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what
He has spoken to him."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abraham
demonstrated his commitment to walking in the way of the LORD by the way he
treated the strangers. Now, the LORD knew that Abraham would keep the way of
the LORD by acting in righteousness and justice, and he would teach his
children to do the same. Notice that that way of the LORD was known to Abraham
well before God spelled out the Commandments at Mt. Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
final purpose of the visit of the three men is now revealed. God would allow
Abraham to participate in the judgment of Sodom and the other cities of the
plain. The LORD told Abraham that He was going to visit the city to learn the
truth about their sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:20-21 NKJV 20 And the LORD
said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because
their sin is very grave, 21 "I will go down now and see whether they have
done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if
not, I will know."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a man God trusted to do righteousness and justice, the LORD presented the case
against Sodom before Abraham to see what he would do. Abraham pleaded with God
not to destroy the righteous with the wicked. He negotiated with God to spare
the city if there were even ten righteous men in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:32 NKJV 32 Then he said,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten
should be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the
sake of ten."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
the LORD visited Sodom and to see how He was greeted there. Would they be
greeted the way that Abraham had greeted them? Would they be offered a meal and
a place to rest? Would there be ten righteous men? God sent His presence in the
form of two angels. Abraham’s nephew Lot greeted them with the same hospitality
that Abraham did demonstrating his righteousness. He even invited them into his
home to spend the night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 19:1-2 NKJV 1 Now the two
angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face
toward the ground. 2 And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to
your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise
early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the
night in the open square."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
the rest of the inhabitants of the city did not exhibit righteousness and
justice to two apparent strangers visiting their city. They demanded that Lot
turn the men over to them to do with them as they chose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 19:4-5 NKJV 4 Now before they
lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the
people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot and
said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to
us that we may know them carnally."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
men of Sodom acted like Abraham feared that Abimelech would act. They had no
fear of the LORD and habitually took whatever they wanted. Abraham feared that
Abimelech would kill him and take Sarah. The men of Sodom were ready to kill
Lot and take the two men to do with them as they chose. We associate Sodom with
the sin of sex between two males. However, the sin goes way beyond that. The
men of Sodom were intent on rape. Rape is more about exerting power over the
victim than it is about sexual desire. It is the ultimate display of dominance
to rape someone’s body. In contrast, sexual union between a man and a woman is
intended to be God’s gift to the husband and wife to honorably join them
together in one flesh. Rape is the ultimate perversion of this gift. Ezekiel
describes the fullness of Sodom’s sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 16:49-50 NKJV 49 "Look,
this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride,
fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the
hand of the poor and needy. 50 "And they were haughty and committed
abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
sin of Sodom was not just sexual perversion; it was their entire way of life.
There was no justice or righteousness in the city. Even years earlier when Lot
first went to dwell in Sodom, the Bible describes the men of Sodom as wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 13:12-13 NKJV 12 Abram dwelt
in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his
tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and
sinful against the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lot
had probably lived in Sodom for as many as twenty years. Yet his presence in
the city and his practice of righteousness did not have any effect on the men
of Sodom. They were just as wicked, if not more so, twenty years later when God
sent His angels to determine the extent of their wickedness. Peter declared
that Lot was a righteousness man whose example did not influence the behavior
of the men of that city to turn to righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Peter 2:7-8 NKJV 7 and <i>(God)</i>
delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul
from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
men of Sodom observed Lot’s righteousness and justice but regarded it
scornfully. They knew the way of righteousness but chose not to follow it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 19:9 NKJV 9 And they said,
"Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to stay here,
and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with
them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break
down the door.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
residents of Sodom greeted the messengers of the LORD with evil intent
continuing in their wickedness and sin against the LORD. Lot’s presence in
Sodom did not bear any fruit, and God sent His judgment on Sodom and her sister
cities. God found only one righteous man in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
contrast, Abraham’s relationship with Abimelech, though it began in distrust,
ended with Abimelech acknowledging that God was with Abraham. Abraham and
Abimelech made a covenant to deal fairly with one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 21:32-34 NKJV 32 Thus they
made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of
his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Then Abraham
planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD,
the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many
days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
a situation similar to God sending angels to visit Abraham and Sodom, Yeshua
sent out messengers in pairs to visit the cities of Israel. This occurred just
before Yeshua’s final journey to Jerusalem. He sent seventy disciples,
thirty-five pairs, ahead of His own visit to those cities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 10:1 NKJV 1 After these things
the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His
face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like the two angels judged Sodom based on how they were received, the disciples
were to judge the cities and homes they visited based on how they were
received.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 10:8-12 NKJV 8 "Whatever
city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9
"And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come
near to you.' 10 "But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive
you, go out into its streets and say, 11 'The very dust of your city which
clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom
of God has come near you.' 12 "But I say to you that it will be more
tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
scriptures don’t record what happened when Yeshua visited these same cities.
However, we know of one man who greeted Yeshua just like Lot greeted the two
angels. When Yeshua entered Jericho, Zacchaeus desired to see Yeshua but he was
too short to see him over the crowd, so he climbed a tree. When Yeshua reached
the tree, he looked up and saw the desire of Zacchaeus’ heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 19:5-6 NKJV 5 And when Jesus came
to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make
haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." 6 So he made
haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
LORD visited Abraham to confirm His promise that Abraham would have a son
through his wife Sarah. Secondly, God confirmed that Abraham had a heart to
follow in God’s ways. He, then, trusted Abraham to pronounce judgment on Sodom
and the other cities of the plain. Abraham’s judgment was that if there were
even ten righteous men in the city, the city would be spared. First came the
promise of the son, then comes testing of the heart. Afterwards, comes
judgment. God, when judging this world, follows this same pattern. First comes
the promise of the coming of His son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 3:16-17 NKJV 16 "For God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send
His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him
might be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next
comes testing of the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 1:12 NKJV 12 But as many as
received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who
believe in His name:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
the Son, the righteous seed of Abraham, is entrusted with the judgment of the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 5:30 NKJV 30 "I can of
Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I
do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
message to us is two-fold. How will we receive the visitation of the LORD in
our lives? Will we receive the Son that God sent with welcome and hospitality?
Will we exhibit righteousness and justice by the way we treat God and people? Will
the LORD testify that He has known us and that we will walk in His ways? Yeshua
said that all the Torah is summed up by two principles: Love God with all your heart,
soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How does Abraham’s reception of the
strangers demonstrate more than just hospitality? How does Abraham demonstrate
the two greatest commandments to love God and to love man? How does Zacchaeus
demonstrate these qualities? <o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How is the judgment on Sodom a
foreshadow of the judgment that will come at the end of this age? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After His transfiguration (Luke
(9:27-36), Yeshua set His face for the final journey to Jerusalem (Luke
9:51-53). To prepare for His journey, he sent out seventy disciples to prepare
the cities of Israel for His visit (Luke 10:1-2; Luke 13:22).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In light of this teaching, what was the
purpose of Yeshua’s visit to these cities?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">General
Portion Questions</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The title of this teaching is “I Have
Known Him” from Genesis 18:19. God knows everyone and everything, so what does
God mean when He states the He has known Abraham?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider all the events included in this
Torah portion in your answer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Torah portion concludes with God
asking Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. How does the
progression of the events of the Torah portion as we have presented them in
this teaching lead to this climactic event? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What other insights did you gain from
this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to
Messiah Yeshua?</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-11759879886390612452023-10-25T16:52:00.003-04:002023-10-25T16:53:33.243-04:00Torah Portion Lech Lecha – A Father of Many Nations<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The video version is available at:
</span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/DDzcJK4xd7o"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://youtu.be/DDzcJK4xd7o</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The scripture reading is Genesis
12:1-17:27<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lech Lecha means to “go ye forth.”
This Torah portion begins after the flood is past and mankind has once again
gone into idolatry. And it didn’t take very long for that to happen. In
contrast, God begins to reveal his plan of redemption. He does so through the
patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In fact, God identifies Himself over and
over again as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob or the God of Israel 237
times in the scriptures. God begins with a promise to Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 12:2-3 NKJV 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless
you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those
who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families
of the earth shall be blessed."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What does it mean that I will “<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">make</span> you a great nation?” What does it
mean that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The word translated as “make” in
Genesis 12:2 is asah number 6213 which we learned in the first lesson of this
series, means to make or to fashion something to create or recreate it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abram was 75 when he was called
and 99 when God revisited him to deliver the promise of the conception of
Isaac. So, what is the evidence of God making or recreating of Abram and Sarai
into a great nation? First, they were both given new names. Abram, meaning high
father, had his name changed to Abraham, meaning the father of a multitude. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 17:5 NKJV 5 "No longer shall your name be called
Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many
nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sarai is a personal type of name
meaning my princess. She became Sarah which is a fuller form of the name
princess. She was no longer just Abraham’s princess but princess to all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 17:15-16 MKJV 15 And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai
your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah. 16
And I will bless her and give you a son also of her. Yes, I will bless her, and
she shall be a mother of nations, kings of people shall be from her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These new names signify a change
in status or destiny. Both Abraham and Sarah’s new names directly connect their
identities with the promises given to Abraham when God said, “I will make you a
great nation” and “through you all nations will be blessed.” Going forward, God
either gave all the patriarchs their names or changed them. He named Isaac from
before conception. The name Isaac means “laughter.” God told Abraham to name
his son Isaac when he was given the covenant of circumcision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 17:19 NKJV 19 Then God said: "No, Sarah your wife
shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My
covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sarah laughed during the visit of
the two angels and the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 18:12 NKJV 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself,
saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old
also?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This laughter has an element of
astonishment that God could cause two old people to have a son. There was
perhaps, even a sense of cautious joy. And yet Sarah’s, as well as Abraham’s
faith was strong. They believed God would do what He said He would.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 11:11-12 NKJV 11 By faith Sarah herself also received
strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age,
because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man,
and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in
multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaac’s son Jacob became Israel
after he struggled with God and prevailed. God also named John the Baptist and
Yeshua from before their conception. Yeshua promises us a new name as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 2:17 MKJV 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the
hidden manna, and will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name
written, which no man knows except he who receives it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The second evidence that something
new was about to happen is that Abraham was given circumcision as a sign of the
covenant that he was to be a father to many nations, that the Promised Land was
to be his and his descendants, and that God Himself had become his God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 17:10-11 MKJV 10 This is My covenant, which you shall
keep, between Me and you and your seed after you. Every male child among you
shall be circumcised. 11 And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin.
And it shall be a token of the covenant between Me and you.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the apostle Paul, the story of
Abram’s transformation to Abraham is the essential prototype of salvation by
faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 4:16-17 NKJV 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be
according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only
to those who are of the law (Torah), but also to those who are of the faith of
Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, "I have made
you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he
believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not
exist as though they did;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like Abraham and Sarah whom God
recreated, we also are new creations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And so, Abraham leads the way
becoming the first to experience a type of re-creation. He becomes the father
of all who are justified by faith and thus a father of many nations. The book
of Revelation shows us the result of Abraham’s faith!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 7:9 MKJV 9 After these things I looked, and lo, a great
multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and
people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with
white robes, with palms in their hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 12:2 goes on to say, “…and
you will be a blessing. The word blessing is the Hebrew word “berakah,” number
1293 meaning blessing or prosperity. It is interesting that it is also the word
for pool.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Immersion in a pool is an integral
part of any purifying process described throughout the Bible. The purifying
process after becoming unclean by touching a dead body ends with an immersion
in a mikvah or pool. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numbers 19:19 MKJV 19 And the clean person shall sprinkle on the
unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he
shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. And he
shall be clean at evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul uses similar language to
describe how Gentiles are “brought near” by immersion into Yeshua.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephesians 2:12-13 MKJV 12 and that, at that time you were without
Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the
covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now
in Christ Jesus you who were once afar off are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">made near </b>by the blood of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul also brings in circumcision
to complete the metaphor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Colossians 2:11-13 MKJV 11 in whom also you are circumcised with
the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the
flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in whom
also you were raised through the faith of the working of God, raising Him from
the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once again, Abraham leads the way.
Abraham foreshadows our baptism into Yeshua. Therefore, it is through the
example of Abraham and the covenant God made with him that followers of Yeshua
are grafted in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 11:17-21 MKJV 17 And if some of the branches were broken
off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and became a
sharer of the root and the fatness of the olive tree with them, 18 do not boast
against the branches. But if you boast, it is not you that bears the root, but
the root bears you. 19 You will say then, The branches were broken off so that
I might be grafted in. 20 Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and
you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear. 21 For if God did not
spare the natural branches, fear lest He also may not spare you either!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are grafted into the olive tree
that represents believing Israel. We are in that position because of faith.
This is the gospel, the good news according to Paul. When Paul writes to the
Ephesians from his prison in Rome, he says that he is in bonds for the “mystery
of the gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephesians 6:19-20 MKJV 19 And pray for me, that utterance may be
given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the
gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in bonds; so that in it I may speak
boldly, as I ought to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As Abraham “goes forth” from Haran
to the land of Canaan. He stops at the top of a mountain where he can see
across the land. God again appears to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 12:7 MKJV 7 And the LORD appeared to Abram and said, I
will give this land to your seed. And he built an altar there to the LORD who
appeared to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the first promise
specifically about an offspring of Abraham; he would possess the land that the
Canaanites currently held.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 13:15-16 MKJV 15 For all the land which you see I will
give to you, and to your seed forever. 16 And I will make your seed as the dust
of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then shall your
seed also be counted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The land would be the possession
of Abraham’s seed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">forever</b> and his
seed would be as uncountable as the dust of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can speculate about Abraham and
Sarah’s discussion of this promise. Sarah, perhaps, might have said something
like this, “Abram, I’ve already gone through menopause. There’s no way I can
give you child now. Here, use Hagar as a surrogate mother. That way I can still
have a child.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Abraham went into Hagar, Abraham
and Sarah were busy trying to fulfill the promise of God through their own
means. Abraham did have a child by Hagar whom God did bless, not because he was
the child of the promise, but for Abraham’s sake. This child, Ishmael, was not
the fulfillment of the promise!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thirteen years after Ishmael’s
birth, God again appeared to Abraham once again elaborating on the promise.
This time God told Abraham that Sarah specifically would bear the child. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The promise regarding the ultimate
possession of the land, first given to Abraham, is repeated to Isaac, and then is
passed on to Jacob. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob appeared to each of
them with this message that in your seed all nations of the earth would be
blessed. Paul tells us that the promised seed was Yeshua.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Galatians 3:16 MKJV 16 And to Abraham and to his Seed the promises
were spoken. It does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one,
"And to your Seed," which is Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is through Yeshua, that we too
are counted as the seed of Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Galatians 3:26-29 MKJV 26 For you are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on
Christ. 28 There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are
Christ's, then you are <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Abraham's seed
and heirs according to the promise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like Isaac, we are the seed
according to the promise through faith. We are not like Ishmael who was the son
according to the flesh; that is through efforts of man. The promised seed is
spiritual. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John the Baptist tells the
Pharisees and Sadducees that merely being of the physical descent of Abraham is
not enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 3:9-10 MKJV 9 and do not think to say within yourselves,
We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up
children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And now also, the axe is laid to the
root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit
is cut down and cast into the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul says that only the children
of the promise are counted as the seed of Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 9:6-9 MKJV 6 Not however that the word of God has failed,
for not all those of Israel are Israel; 7 nor because they are the seed of
Abraham are they all children. But, "In Isaac shall your Seed be
called." 8 That is, not the children of the flesh are children of God; but
the children of the promise are counted for a seed. 9 For this is the word of
promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We saw how Paul repeatedly
emphasized that being counted as a seed of Abraham was spiritual and how we are
counted as a seed only through Yeshua, and not by acts of the flesh as was
Ishmael’s conception. Paul chides the Galatians for relying on acts of the
flesh:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Galatians 3:3 NKJV 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the
Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What act of the flesh is Paul
chiding them about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul goes on to tell
them the difference between faith and works, between the seed of Abraham by the
promise and the son by the flesh. He concludes in chapter 5 with these
startling words:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Galatians 5:2-6 NKJV 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you
become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to
every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law;
you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the
hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Circumcision is a commandment of
God, first given to Abraham and then repeated to Moses. Why then, does Paul say
that Yeshua would not profit them if they become circumcised? Paul writes to
the Galatians because they were seeking righteousness through the works of the
law! Most of the Jews had no problem with Gentiles believing in the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, they believed that Gentiles could
participate in faith only as long as they converted to Judaism. This was the
teaching of the Judaizers; Gentiles couldn’t be participants in salvation by
faith alone; they had to convert to Judaism first. This is an affront to
Messiah denying that “whosever believes in Him should not perish.” Those
Gentiles who converted to Judaism to secure their salvation would be doing the
opposite. They would be trying to attain righteousness by their own efforts, by
acts of the law, negating the work of Messiah on the cross. Paul explains this in
Romans:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 4:7-12 NKJV 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds
are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD
shall not impute sin." 9 Does this blessedness then come upon the
circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was
accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he
was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while
uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the
righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">he might be the father of all those who
believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to
them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the
circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father
Abraham had while still uncircumcised.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul says Abraham is the father of
all those who walk in faith whether they are of the circumcision (Jews) or of
the uncircumcised (Gentiles). And so, through Abraham all nations will be
blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Galatians 6:15-16 NKJV 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By acting on faith, answering the
call of God, Abraham secured God’s promises for future generations. We as
followers of Messiah Yeshua will ultimately receive those same promises, as we
read of in the book of Revelation. Just as Abraham was called to get out of his
place of birth; to leave behind all that he had known; and travel to a far away
land, so too are we called to a purpose and mission beyond our comfortable
life. Abraham was brought to a new life and a new beginning. By coming to the
Father, through Messiah Yeshua, a new life and a new beginning is promised to
us as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As with Abraham, we are also
charged to bring others with us. Yeshua has called each of us to “go ye forth”
and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. In this way we are passing on the blessings promised to
Abraham to all who call on the name of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk117594394"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What new aspect of creation or re-creation is
revealed when God changes Abram’s and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah? Why
does God pick the name Isaac for their son?<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Abraham exhibited both an outward sign and an
inward reality in his expression of faith in God. What were these in Abraham’s
life? (There may be more than one each) How do we express both of these in our
lives?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Read 1 Corinthians 7:19 in comparison to
Galatians 5:2-6 quoted in our teaching, is there a contradiction in Paul’s
teaching? If circumcision is a commandment of God, and keeping the commandments
is what counts as a sign of righteousness, (Genesis 26:5 among other
scriptures) then wouldn’t circumcision be significant?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">How does the birth of Ishmael serve to warn us
about being impatient with the promises of God? Have you had an “Ishmael”
moment in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">A major part of this Torah portion, which we
did not cover in the teaching, is the story of Abraham’s nephew Lot, found in
Genesis chapter 13. How is the story of Lot an example of following in your own
ways rather than God’s ways? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594394;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What other insights did you gain from this
teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to Messiah
Yeshua?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© 2022 Moed Ministries
International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-21415436691046374362023-10-22T20:28:00.003-04:002023-10-22T20:28:48.053-04:00Torah Portion Noach - A New Beginning<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/wENqajZSB3w"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/wENqajZSB3w</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Torah reading is Genesis 6:9-11:32<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
Creation week ended, God pronounced that it was good, and He rested on the
seventh day. Adam, the crown of creation, was created in God’s image and, thus,
had the ability to choose whether or not to serve God. Adam, along with Eve,
gave in to the temptation presented by Satan and sin entered the world. Adam and
Eve were exiled from the garden, but that didn’t solve the problem of sin and
rebellion. In fact, the problem escalated. Adam and Eve sinned against God. Their
firstborn son Cain sinned against his brother murdering him out of jealously.
This downward spiral continued until God declared that He regretted creating
Adam.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 6:5-7 NKJV 5 Then the LORD saw
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that
He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD
said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth,
both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I
have made them." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
declared that He would destroy His creation. How would this destruction lead to
a new beginning and a new creation? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the midst of the corruption of the whole earth, God offered a glimmer of hope.
Noah was a man who walked with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 6:9 NKJV 9 This is the
genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked
with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
name Noah, number 5146 in Strong’s Concordance, means rest. The root word for
Noah’s name is “noo-akh,” number 5117 meaning to rest or settle down. Let’s
explore this concept of rest. God uses the word “noo-akh” when He declares that
He rested on the seventh day of creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 20:11 NKJV 11 For in six days
the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and
rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Noah
became the haven of rest for his family and for the remnant of the animals that
entered the ark. They had entered a place of rest while the rest of mankind,
all flesh and even the earth were destroyed. The writer of Hebrews explains the
importance of entering into rest comparing it to the children of Israel
entering the Promised Land. Those who rebelled against God in the wilderness
did not enter God’s rest. However, the writer of Hebrews proclaims that there
remains a rest for the people of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJV 9 There remains
therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has
himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be
diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Noah
was the agent of God’s rest in his generation. Yeshua is the agent of rest in
our generation and throughout all generations. Let us, as the writer of Hebrews
urges, strive to enter into that rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now,
let’s look at the description of Noah as just and perfect. The Hebrew word
translated as “just” is “tsad-deek,” number 6662, meaning just, lawful, or
righteous. Noah upheld God’s standards to love God and to love his fellow man
which Adam and Cain had first broken. The word “perfect” is from the Hebrew
word “taw-meem,” number 8549. In its simplest definition, it means whole or
entire. Any offering brought before the LORD must be taw-meem, whole, entire,
without blemish or defect. Noah’s perfection is qualified by the phrase “in his
generations.” There is debate about how to understand this phrase. It could be
meant as additional praise of Noah that even among the corruption of his day,
he remained just and whole. However, it could also be that in comparison to the
wickedness of his generation, Noah was perfect. In either case, Noah found
mercy resulting in the salvation of a portion of God’s creation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
we continue the account of Noah, we learn that God decided to destroy not only
mankind, but all flesh and even the earth itself. God stated that all flesh had
corrupted itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 6:11-13 NKJV 11 The earth also
was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God
looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted
their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has
come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold,
I will destroy them with the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To
accomplish this, God told Noah to build an ark for himself, his family, two of
each created kind of animal, seven pairs of each type of bird, and seven pairs
of each clean animal. This remnant of creation would remain after the
destruction of the earth. Then, in order to make sure the ark would survive,
God told Noah to coat it with pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 6:14 NKJV 14 "Make
yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and
outside with pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word “cover” is the Hebrew word “kaw-far,” number 3722 meaning to cover. The
word pitch is the word “ko-fer,” meaning a cover such as pitch or bitumen. God
had Noah provide a protective covering for the ark. Noah would have died along
with the rest of the “flesh” of the earth if not for the protective covering of
the pitch, the “ko-fer.” The word for “Kip-poor,” #3725 which we translate as
atonement, comes from this word to cover. Atonement, literally, is a covering
protecting us from the judgment that comes from God due to sin. Noah and his
family symbolically died in the flesh but were given new life because of the
covering God instructed Noah to use on the ark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
Noah entered the ark, God closed the door and the flood began seven days later.
Contrary to popular belief, the source of the waters was not just rain from the
sky. God opened the earth to release the fountains of water that were under the
earth. He probably also raised the ocean floor to allow the oceans to rise over
the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 7:11-12 NKJV 11 In the six
hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the
month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows
of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty
nights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
entire earth was covered with water. The only sign of life was the ark moving
on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 7:18-20 NKJV 18 The waters
prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the
surface of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth,
and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters
prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
accomplished His purpose of destroying all flesh, mankind, and even the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 7:23-24 NKJV 23 So He
destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and
cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth.
Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. 24 And the
waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
waters remained over the earth for one hundred fifty days. At this time, the
earth resembled the earth as it was at the beginning of creation when water
covered the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:2 NKJV 2 The earth was
without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the
Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
waters of the flood receded only after God closed up the fountains of the deep
returning the waters from under the earth to their place and causing the rain
to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:1-2 NKJV 1 Then God
remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him
in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters
subsided. 2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also
stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
wind or the spirit, the ruach, passed over the earth like the spirit hovered
over the waters at creation. The process of the waters receding took an
additional one hundred fifty days. Note the symmetry of these events.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:3-4 NKJV 3 And the waters
receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days
the waters decreased. 4 Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the
seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the waters receded off the earth, Noah released a raven and a dove from the
window in the ark. The dove did not find a resting place and, so, returned to
the ark where Noah or rest could be found.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:9 NKJV 9 But the dove found
no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to
him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand
and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Genesis chapter one when the spirit hovers over the water, the word hovers is
translated from the Hebrew word “raw-khaf,” number 7363 meaning to brood or
flutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses uses the same word in
Deuteronomy 32:11 when describing an eagle fluttering over her young. God sent
the ruach to hover over the waters, and Noah sent the dove. We can imagine the
dove as it moved over the water fluttering its wings seeking any place to rest
or any sign of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
the dry land began to appear, but only after God shut off the fountains of the
deep. This mirrors the second day of creation when God gathered the waters and
dry land appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:5 NKJV 5 And the waters
decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first
day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Noah
sent out the dove a second time and the dove returned with the olive leaf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:11 NKJV 11 Then the dove
came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her
mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This,
of course, matches the third day of creation when God brought forth plants on
the earth. Two months after the dry land appeared, Noah removed the covering
from the ark. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:13 NKJV 13 And it came to
pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of
the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the
covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
Noah removed the covering, his only view of the outside world was through the
window. Now, it is as if the sun, the moon, and the stars have been returned to
him. This is the fourth day of creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then
God instructed Noah to open the ark and bring out all the animals reenacting
the fifth and sixth days of creation and completing the new creation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:15-17 NKJV 15 Then God spoke
to Noah, saying, 16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons
and your sons' wives with you. 17 "Bring out with you every living thing
of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and
multiply on the earth."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
gave Adam and Eve the command to fill the earth on the sixth day of creation.
Now, God gives Noah the command to fill the earth. Noah built an altar and
brought an offering that had a soothing aroma.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 8:20-21 NKJV 20 Then Noah
built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean
bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the LORD smelled a
soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, "I will never again curse
the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from
his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word translated as “soothing” is “ne-kho-ach,” which is related to the word
“nuwach.” “Ne-kho-ach” means restful. The offering had a restful aroma! God
received the offering and declared that He would not respond to mankind’s sin
again by cursing the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unfortunately,
the flood did not correct the problem of man’s inclination to disobedience.
Even as God is accepting Noah’s offering, God declares that man’s heart is evil
from his youth! Paul writes that nothing good lives in his flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 7:18 NKJV 18 For I know that in
me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me,
but how to perform what is good I do not find.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
now what? God said He would not destroy the earth again because of man’s sin,
but what can be done to redeem this new creation which is still filled with the
disposition to do evil? God begins by giving man not only plants to eat, but
the flesh of animals as well. However, He prohibited eating the blood of the
animal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 9:3-4 NKJV 3 "Every
moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things,
even as the green herbs. 4 "But you shall not eat flesh with its life,
that is, its blood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word life in verse four is the Hebrew word “neh-fesh,” number 5315 meaning a
breathing creature from the root word “naw-fesh” meaning to breathe. In the
Torah portion Breisheet, we examined God giving life to Adam by breathing into
Adam’s nostrils and, thus, he became a neh-fesh, a breathing creature. The
breath of life is connected here to the blood of that living creature. God will
later clarify the relationship between life, “neh-fesh,” and blood in His
instructions to the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 17:11-12 NKJV 11 'For the
life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the
soul.' 12 "Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'No one among you
shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
this translation, the word neh-fesh is translated as soul. God gave the blood
on the altar to make atonement or covering for the breath of life. God goes on
to explain to Noah that each man is accountable for his own blood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 9:5-6 YLT 5 `And only your
blood for your lives do I require; from the hand of every living thing I
require it, and from the hand of man, from the hand of every man's brother I
require the life of man; 6 whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man is his blood
shed: for in the image of God hath He made man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
words “lives” and “life” are both the Hebrew word “neh-fesh.” God will require
the breath of life, the neh-fesh, through the accounting of blood. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like in the time of Noah, the death of all flesh is required because man’s
heart is evil from his youth. Paul tells us that neither Jew nor Gentile is
righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 3:9-10 NKJV 9 What then? Are we
better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and
Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none
righteous, no, not one;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
God preserved Noah and his family in the ark which was covered with pitch. We
can say that the pitch is their covering or their atonement. The writer of
Hebrews tells us that Yeshua’s blood made atonement for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 9:13-14 NKJV 13 For if the
blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter
tells us that Yeshua was put to death in the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Peter 3:18 NKJV 18 For Christ also
suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Redemption
comes through the shed blood of Messiah Yeshua. The same spirit that raised
Yeshua from the dead gives new life to those who believe in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 8:11-13 NKJV 11 But if the
Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised
Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His
Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the
flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the
flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the
body, you will live.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
are to live, then, in this new creation as a new creation ourselves, dying to
the flesh as Noah symbolically died in the flesh. We are to embrace the new
life given to us by the atonement or covering provided by Yeshua’s blood. We
are to take this new life and live by the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the time of Noah, God destroyed mankind, all flesh, and the entire earth. At
the same time, He essentially recreated the earth going through the sequence of
creation over again. After the one-thousand-year reign of Messiah, God will
once again create not only a new earth, but a new heaven! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Teaching
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><a name="_Hlk117594351"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In what ways is the earth after the flood
a new creation? How is this communicated through the flood account? Through the
covenant given to Noah and all living creatures in Genesis 9:8-17?<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Noah’s name means rest. What is the
significance of the meaning of Noah’s name? How does it point to a time when
the earth will no longer be filled with violence?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the introduction of the sanctity
of blood and that man is accountable both for his own blood and the blood of
his brother address the issue of man’s evil heart? What is the connection with
the breathing creature, the neh-fesh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The flood did not solve the problem of
man’s heart being evil from his youth. How does this show up in the rest of the
Torah portion after the flood? (Genesis 9:18-11:32?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Hebrew word for ark is tay-baw.
number 8392 in Strong’s Concordance. This is the same word used for the basket
Moses is placed in (Exodus 2:3). Moses’ basket like the ark was coated with
pitch or bitumen. How is Moses like Noah? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk117594351;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What other insights did you gain from
this teaching? What indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to
Messiah Yeshua?</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-80509701887786405492023-10-13T20:27:00.001-04:002023-10-13T20:27:40.190-04:00Torah Portion Breisheet - By the Word of the LORD<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan and Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
video version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/sTGbmP5H2uk"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/sTGbmP5H2uk</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
scripture reading is Genesis 1:1-6:8<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
all know the story of creation recorded in the book of Genesis. It is probably
among the first Bible stories that we were exposed to as young children in
Sunday school. Unfortunately, that first exposure has often left us in our
adult years with only a superficial understanding of the unimaginable nature
and scope of creation itself. The Psalmist perfectly captures the profound
nature of our created universe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 33:6 NKJV 6 By the word of the
LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His
mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the other hand, much of our public education is dedicated to denying this power
of God’s word and attributing the origin of the universe and our very existence
to random chance, ie: evolution. So, as we grow up, we are conflicted with
these two world views. Is the Biblical creation account a myth? Is it a poetic
allegory, meant to give a primitive people a foundation on which to build a
functioning society? Or is the Bible story of creation an absolute true
accounting of the origin of all that exists and thereby transcending the ages?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
viewpoint of Judaism, and therefore Christianity, regarding the origins of
everything is unique among ancient societies. The Biblical creation account is
constructed as narrative, unlike other ancient cultures where epic poetry is
the norm. The Biblical account of creation is not about a pantheon of gods
battling it out for supremacy among each other with man caught in the middle. The
Bible tells us the story of a loving God who created a universe, a heaven and
earth, for the benefit of man whom He made in His own image. With a careful
examination of the Genesis account, we can begin to see a small piece of the
incredible power of God’s word and His work of creation by His word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
has given us the ability to look up to the heavens and see the beauty and
majesty of His creation. We are often rendered speechless in awe and wonder at
the magnificent variety and complexity of what He has done. He has given us the
intelligence and awareness to examine His creation and to seek out its hidden
mysteries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Proverbs 25:2 NKJV 2 It is the glory
of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Hebrew word translated as search is, rqh Kahaw-kar’, number 2713 in the
Strong’s Concordance meaning to examine intimately, to search or seek out. We
are given the ability and charged with the task to intimately examine God’s
creation; to uncover the mysteries of God to the best of our ability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
we can even begin to examine God’s creation, we must first examine and
understand how all that we see around us came into existence. The first mystery
to be discovered is contained in the very first day of creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV 1 In the beginning
God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void;
and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering
over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light";
and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided
the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He
called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
first day of creation, of course, lays the foundation for all that was to come.
But there is more to the first day than just that. There is a kind of
chronology implied. In verse one, God created the heavens and the earth from
the very first moment. In this first moment of creation, God spoke, and by his
word alone, all the basic substance of the universe came into existence. For
most of the rest of the six days in the creation account, God is manipulating
this basic substance, both matter and energy, and forming the universe that we
recognize.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of the keys to understanding this creation account is to understand certain
words. The word translated as create is arb bara’, number 1254 meaning
literally to create, to do or to make. When we, that is man, “creates”
something, we are merely manipulating materials already in existence. In the
case of God and the creation account of Genesis chapter one, He begins with
nothing as we know it, and by merely the power of His word, brings everything
into existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word bara is used in only two other places in the creation account of Genesis
one; in verse 21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:21 NKJV 21 So God created
great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters
abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind.
And God saw that it was good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
in verse 27.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:27 NKJV 27 So God created
man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
would suppose the use of the word bara begs the question, did God create the sea
creatures, birds of the air, and man by the power of His word alone? Well, not
quite. The account of the creation of man in chapter two perhaps clarifies the
answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 2:7 NKJV 7 And the LORD God
formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath
of life; and man became a living being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
this verse we see that God “formed” man from the dust of the ground; from a
substance already created, presumably on day one. But there is a catch, God
breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life. This brings us back to
our opening verse from Psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 33:6 NKJV 6 By the word of the
LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His
mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Psalmist identifies two instruments of God involved in creation, His word, and
His breath. Both are in play with the creation of Man. This aspect of the
creation of man is found in Genesis 2:7, which we just read, where God breathed
the breath of life into man. The word breath is emsn Nesh-aw-maw’, number 5397
meaning vital breath, intellect, inspiration, soul, or spirit. God breathed
intellect, soul, and spirit directly into man by His breath of life! By giving
man the breath of life, Nesh-aw-maw’, God has instilled in us a soul and spirit
to fellowship with Him and the intellect to pursue the mysteries of His
creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
word of interest in Genesis 2:7 is the word translated as formed. It is ryi
Yaw-tsar’, number 3335 meaning to mold into, form or make, as in a potter. But
there is something unique about Yaw-tsar’ in this verse. Something that one
does not see in our English translations of the Bible. In the original Hebrew,
as written in the Torah scrolls, the word Yaw-tsar’ is spelled beginning with
two letter yods (ryii). In the ancient form of written Hebrew, the letters of
which were borrowed from Egyptian hieroglyphics, the letter yod was represented
by a picture of an outstretched hand. The implication of this is that when God
formed man from the dust of the ground, He used two hands instead of one as the
spelling of the word Yaw-tsar’ elsewhere in the Torah scrolls indicates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
keeping with theme and title of this series, Words from Our Father, let’s pursue
these mysteries of His creation by taking a look at a few of God’s words
concerning His personal involvement with the creation of man contained in the
very beginning of the Bible with Genesis 1:1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:1 NKJV 1 In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
Hebrew, this verse contains only seven words, where the English translation has
ten. The first Hebrew word is tisarb B’reisheet and is translated as “in the
beginning.” It is a variation of the word tisar re’shiyth number 7225 meaning
first in place, time, order or rank, beginning, chiefest, or firstfruits. A
letter b beit is added to the beginning of the word. As a prefix to a word, the
beit adds the meaning “in”, or “through”, or “with thought of.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
this in mind, Genesis 1:1 could also be translated “In the beginning, through
or with the firstfruits, God created the heavens and the earth.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So who or what is the firstfruits? The apostle
Paul spoke of Yeshua as the “firstfruits.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Corinthians 15:20 NKJV 20 But now
Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have
fallen asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John,
in his gospel, recognized the foremost position of Messiah Yeshua.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 1:1-3 NKJV 1 In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the
beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing
was made that was made.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
letter beit has a meaning in and of itself. It means “house.” When added to
re’shiyth, ie: firstfruits, we see that creation is a house for the
firstfruits!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
writer of Hebrew also recognizes that Messiah Yeshua was an active part of
creation from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV 1 God, who at
various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the
prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
have already touched on the second word of Genesis 1:1, bara, created. But when
we take a closer look, we see the Son of God, Messiah Yeshua emphasized again.
Bara is spelled arb. The first two letters spell the Hebrew word bar which
often means son as in bar mitzvah. The last letter is the aleph, which is the
first letter in the name of God used throughout the creation account in
Genesis, Elohim, the third word. So, we see that the Son, bar, along with the
Father, Aleph, is the one doing the creating, bara! Messiah Yeshua, the Son of
God is heir of all created things. When He returns, all of creation will be His
kingdom!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
third word of Genesis 1:1 is Miela Elohim number 430 which can mean gods in the
ordinary sense. But here in the Genesis account, Elohim always refers to the
supreme God. It is used to denote God in His attribute of justice, as ruler,
law giver, and judge of the world. This is the name of God used exclusively
throughout the creation account until the creation of man! At that point efei
or Yehovah is used for Gods name indicating His loving, covenant keeping
attributes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
fourth word is interesting from a variety of aspects. It is ta ayth number 853
and is not translated at all because it has no equivalent in English. The
Strong’s concordance defines it as:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">#853. ta 'eth, ayth apparent
contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but
generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or
preposition, even or namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ayth
is spelled using the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In Hebraic
thought, this spelling would be taken to represent all the letters of the
Hebrew alphabet as well as all the words God spoke as He created the heavens
and the earth! The use of the word ayth in Genesis 1:1 emphasizes that the
entire creation was created at this time by the hand of God! Ayth emphasis the
creation of the heavens and the earth, the objects of the verb bara, or
created.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
can’t overlook that Yeshua refers to Himself as aleph tav in Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 1:8 NKJV 8 "I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who
is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and are
the equivalent to the Aleph and Tav in Hebrew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Aleph and Tav are strategically place in the center of the seven Hebrew words
that comprise Genesis 1:1. Messiah Yeshua is the centerpiece of creation. He is
the Aleph and the Tav, the beginning and the end! We can think of the seven
Hebrew words of Genesis 1:1 reflected in the seven lamps of the Menorah in the
Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The middle lamp of the Menorah was always
kept lit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the Genesis creation account, we see that the sun was created on the fourth day
to bring light into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:16-19 NKJV 16 Then God made
two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to
rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the
heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the
night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
the new heavens and the new earth are created, there will be no need for the
physical sun because Yeshua is the light!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 1:4-9 NKJV 4 In Him was life, and
the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was
John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all
through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear
witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man
coming into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the new creation that John spoke of in Revelation, there will be no need for
the sun and moon because Yeshua is the light of the world!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revelation 21:23 NKJV 23 The city had
no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God
illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the second day of creation, from the power of His word alone God molds the
universe, as if He were a potter, to prepare the earth to accept the life that
He planned for the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:6-8 NKJV 6 Then God said,
"Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide
the waters from the waters." 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided
the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the
firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening
and the morning were the second day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
third day God brought forth the grass, green plants, and fruit trees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:11-13 NKJV 11 Then God said,
"Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit
tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the
earth"; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that
yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed
is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the
evening and the morning were the third day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
mentioned previously that the fourth lamp of the Temple Menorah was always kept
lit. It is on the fourth day of the creation account that God created the
physical lights that we need on the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Genesis 1:14-18 NKJV 14 Then God said,
"Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day
from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;
15 "and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give
light on the earth"; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the
greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made
the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light
on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the
light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
had originally created a perfect world for us. To fellowship with Him and be
with Him forever. He breathed the breath of life into man. God breathed life
into Adam and place him in God’s perfect garden. We are the only creature in
all of creation that have God’s very breath in us! He created us in His image.
We alone have the intellect, soul, and spirit to interact with Gods creation
and to wonder and explore its multitude of mysteries. We alone have the ability
and privilege to worship our Creator God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
we move forward in this series of teaching over the next year, we will be
digging deeper into the words from our Father contained in the Torah. Our focus
will be on each Torah portion throughout the year covering Genesis through
Deuteronomy. From the creation of the heavens and the earth and the perfect
world that was the garden of Eden, to the promise of restoration and rest as
the children of Israel are on the brink of entering the Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">At the opening of the teaching, we mentioned that there are two
disparate world views of the origin of the universe. How are believers today
influenced by the theory of evolution? How has the Church been influenced and
changed by secular science?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In the Genesis account of creation, there are two tools or
instruments which God uses over the six days of creation. This is reflected in
two different words in the Hebrew; one is bara, number 1254, translated as
create or created, and the other is asah, number 6213 translated as made, make,
or yielding as found in Genesis 1:12. Discuss these two different words, how
they are used, and what they imply about God’s act of creation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The fourth Hebrew word of Genesis 1:1 is ta, aleph and tav, the
first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Read Isaiah 41:4, 44:6-7 and
48:12-13. In these verses, God refers to Himself as the first and the last. How
do these verses reinforce the idea that the fourth Hebrew word in Genesis 1:1
represents all of creation?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">General Portion Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">List three aspects of God revealed in the creation account. (look
beyond Genesis chapter 1) Elaborate on these aspects. How do they allow us to
experience God in our lives?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Genesis chapter 2 seems to be a repeat or summary of the creation
account given in chapter 1. How are these two chapters different? Are they
complimentary or is there contradiction?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What other insights did you gain from this teaching? What
indicators are there in this Torah Portion that point to Messiah Yeshua?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2022 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-5660233486455460112023-07-05T06:11:00.005-04:002023-07-05T06:11:55.948-04:00Be Strong and of Good Courage<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Dan
& Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The video
version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/uFPutG-i9CM" target="_blank"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">https://youtu.be/uFPutG-i9CM</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
scripture reading is: Joshua 1:1-18<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week’s
teaching is the last of the Haftarahs. Throughout the last year, we have
examined many of the prophets and seen a repeating pattern of rebuke, judgment,
redemption and restoration. It is appropriate that this cycle should end on a
high note with this reading from the first chapter of the book of Joshua. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One will
find no rebuke or judgment in this Haftarah. It is all uplifting and
encouraging. In it we see a continuation of the Torah. In the final Torah
Portion this week we read of the death of Moses and the commissioning of Joshua
appointed by God to lead the people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NKJV 7 Then Moses called
Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good
courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn
to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8
"And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He
will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
commissioning Joshua to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel, Moses
encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. Four times in the opening
chapter of the book of Joshua he is encouraged to be strong and courageous. How
is Joshua to exemplify strength and courage? How does this Haftarah apply to us
today in the mission God has commissioned us to accomplish?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moses was
now dead, and Joshua was fully commissioned to take his place and lead the people
across the Jordan and into the land promised them through their Father Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:1-5 NKJV 1 After the death of Moses
the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son
of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now
therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land
which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. 3 "Every place that the
sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4
"From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River
Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going
down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 "No man shall be able to stand
before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with
you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These first
five verses of the Book of Joshua serve as an introduction to the entire book.
A closer examination of the original Hebrew reveals that in this passage the
word “you” in its various forms is in the second person personal. God is
speaking to Joshua personally and giving personal assurance that Joshua is
indeed commissioned by God to perform the tasks before him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For forty
years Joshua knew that they were destined to inherit the land that God promised
them. In this passage, God reiterates the promise and defines the borders of
the Promised Land. God also states in verse five that “no man shall be able to
stand before you…” so why is it that God had to tell Joshua to be strong and of
good courage? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To begin
with we can look at the phrase in the Hebrew. The word translated as strong is
number 2388 in the Strong’s Concordance, Khaw-zak meaning to be strong, to
lean, to fortify, or to become mighty. The word implies a certain fortitude or
physical power. The word translated as “be courageous” is number 553 aw-mats
meaning to be courageous, to be physically and mentally alert, to fortify,
harden, or make strong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this
single phrase, we see two parallel words which mean very close to the same
thing. So, here in one sentence we have a kind of parallelism emphasizing the
importance and nature of strength and courage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did Joshua
need some extra encouragement as they were about to enter the Promised Land? It
would certainly be a major undertaking. Joshua had been there before, many
years earlier and knew what awaited them. Did he have the complete support of
the people? Moses had led them since before they had left Egypt. Moses was like
a father to them and a grandfather to those born in the wilderness. How would
they take to a new leader? It would take a lot of strength and courage to lead
a people who had just lost their great patriarch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua’s
first task was to take them into the land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:6 NKJV 6 "Be strong and of good
courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I
swore to their fathers to give them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua had
to organize an army. He had to train them, outfit them, and supply them, all
the while arranging for food, water, and shelter for the entire civilian
population.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua, as
the commanding General had to develop specific battle plans as they set out to
conquer the land and see to their execution. Joshua was not only the military
leader but also the spiritual leader, and as such was responsible for their
morale at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take
incredible leadership ability to pull it all off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua is
then admonished to be strong and courageous in following the Torah faithfully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV 7 "Only be strong and
very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which
Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the
left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 "This Book of the Law shall
not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that
you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 "Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua was
called upon to exhibit spiritual strength and courage, to do all that the Torah
taught him to do. Verse seven warns Joshua not to deviate to the right or to
the left. This is a reiteration of instruction in the Torah itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deuteronomy 5:32 NKJV 32 "Therefore you
shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not
turn aside to the right hand or to the left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua was
also admonished to meditate on the Torah. But what does it mean to meditate? In
our modern way of thinking, we would assume it means quiet thought. But the
Hebrew is somewhat opposite. It is number 1897 haw-gaw’ meaning to mutter, to
speak, study, talk, or utter. Joshua was to always speak of the Torah, to have
it constantly on his lips. When one does this, it becomes a constant reminder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
continual study and speaking of God’s Torah would lead naturally to life
application of the Torah. Verse eight indicates this practice would lead to
prosperity and success.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The apostle
Paul in his second letter to Timothy speaks of this same concept.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV 16 All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua,
perhaps, faced a few dangers and doubts along the road. Over the course of time
in the wilderness, Joshua observed the many occasions when the people were not
entirely faithful to the covenant and saw first-hand the disastrous results of
that unfaithfulness. Although well-equipped for the task, and with many close
associates to assist him going forward, Joshua was now responsible for God’s
people and their success was dependent on his Torah faithfulness. He really did
need strength and courage!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The third
area of strength and courage which Joshua needed was in the form of learning to
truly trust in God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:9 NKJV 9 "Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the
LORD your God is with you wherever you go."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
promise to Joshua is nearly a repeat of one of the promises found in verse
five. God promises once again that His presence would be with Joshua
continually, that He would go with Joshua every step of the way. This was
certainly a reminder of the earlier promise found in Deuteronomy 31:7-8 that we
read at the opening of this teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
promise of God’s presence with Joshua is not unlike Yeshua’s own promise to us
that the Holy Spirit would be with us as we embark on the mission that He has
ordained for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Acts 1:8 NKJV 8 "But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua was
to trust God completely. He was to remember that God could be trusted no matter
what the present circumstances appeared to be. This understanding on Joshua’s
part would turnout to be vitally important as they crossed into the Promised
Land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God had now
prepared and given Joshua all the tools required for him to lead the army and
the people. It was now time for action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:10-11 NKJV 10 Then Joshua commanded
the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the camp and command
the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days
you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD
your God is giving you to possess.'"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The text
says that Joshua commanded the “officers of the people” the Hebrew word for
officers is number 7860 sho-tare’ meaning an official superintendent or
magistrate, officer, overseer, or ruler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The word does not necessarily imply an officer in the military sense. Joshua
was speaking to all the civilian leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel as well
as the commanders of the army.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua also
reminded the tribes of Rubin, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh that, although
they were remaining on the eastern side of the Jordan, their men were to
participate along with the others in conquering the land across the Jordan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:12-15 NKJV 12 And to the Reubenites,
the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13
"Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
saying, 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.' 14
"Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land
which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your
brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 "until the
LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken
possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall
return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S
servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The army
which Joshua assembled to take possession of the Land would consist of members
of all twelve tribes. Only after this task was completed could they enter rest
with their brothers. They were all in agreement with Joshua’s orders. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua 1:16-18 NKJV 16 So they answered Joshua,
saying, "All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we
will go. 17 "Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.
Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 "Whoever
rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you
command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their words
to Joshua are reminiscent of those the people spoke at Mount Sinai when they
received the Torah from God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exodus 19:8 NKJV 8 Then all the people answered
together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So
Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With their
response, Joshua would have realized that the people, not just his military offices
and the leaders of the people, but all of them were placing their trust and
their lives in his hands. They were prepared to trust Joshua completely just as
he was to place all his trust in God. Not only God, but now the people were
encouraging Joshua to be strong and courageous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could he fail?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were
four areas Joshua needed strength and courage. First was to be able to lead the
people to the Promised Land across the Jordan. He had spent a lifetime
preparing for this task and God had done everything possible to enable him to
do it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second,
Joshua need strength and courage to follow the Torah. Joshua was not just
another military leader. He was to be a Godly leader of both the army and the
people. Third, Joshua was to trust in God no matter what the circumstances; no
matter how bleak the situation at hand might appear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
finally, Joshua was to have strength and courage to be a true leader of the
people in the model of Moses. Very large shoes to fill indeed! The people knew
that Joshua was chosen by God to lead them in this time and in their words and
actions they gave Joshua the support he needed. God had prepared Joshua for his
mission and stated clearly that He would be with Joshua every step of the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
interesting to note the placement of the Book of Joshua in the Bible
immediately following the Torah. Moses, being a type or example of Messiah,
brought God’s people out of their place of bondage and embarked on their
journey toward the Promised land. Moses made provision to have the leadership
pass to Joshua.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
narrative of the Book of Joshua is a continuation of the historical narrative
which began with the first verse of Genesis. Together with the Torah, we see a
continuation of the story of a called-out people and how they were to take
their place among the nations and bring the light of God to those nations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a
striking parallel to this theme recorded in the New Testament writings. In the
four Gospels we see the Master Yeshua’s divinely inspired teaching and
commentary of the Torah. Yeshua taught His followers to be a light to the world
just as the Nation of Israel was to be a light to the other nations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just prior
to Yeshua’s death he told His followers that they would receive power to carry
out their commission. Not unlike the strength and courage that Joshua received
from God, Yeshua told His disciples that He would always be with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV 19 "Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Book of
Acts follows the Gospels, continuing the story of the spread of the good news
which began with Messiah Yeshua Himself. Armed with the Torah, along with the
teachings of Messiah Yeshua, these early disciples, the faithful remnant, took
the message of atonement and redemption to the nations of the world. The Book
of Acts is the opening chapter in this story. The story and mission remain
unfinished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beginning
with our next teaching, we are embarking on a year-long study of the ministry
of these early disciples of Yeshua. Who were they? Where did they go? What is
it they taught? And most importantly, how are we to continue this mission until
Yeshua returns. Join us each week for “The Apostle’s Journey.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Discuss the connection of
this teaching to the Torah Portion Vezot Ha’Bracha Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why is it important for
Rubin, Gad and Manasseh to participate in taking the land?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What did God do to encourage
Joshua and instill in him strength and courage? (read a broader context of
scripture about Joshua’s service under Moses’ leadership.)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This Haftarah mentions
specific boundaries of the Promised Land. How does this description of the
boundaries compare with other scripture listing the boundaries?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joshua was told to meditate on the Torah.
Given the Hebrew definition of the word “haw-gaw’”, how would Joshua apply it
in his time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How should we “meditate” on
God’s word today?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What new insight did you
gain from this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you
realign your life based on this new understanding?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bonus: For what other reasons do you think that
Joshua chapter 1 was chosen to be the last Haftarah in the cycle?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© 2019 Moed
Ministries International. All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-71972239694342333312023-07-05T06:10:00.002-04:002023-07-05T06:10:35.058-04:00The LORD is My Rock, My Fortress, and My Deliverer<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Video Version is available at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/5JToVZWLkCc" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/5JToVZWLkCc</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
scripture reading is 2<sup>nd</sup> Samuel 22:1-51<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
examined this haftarah once already this year during the Feast of Unleavened
Bread. At that time, we focused on God’s deliverance of David. This was an
appropriate message corresponding to the deliverance theme of Passover, the
Feast of Unleavened Bread and the opening verse of this passage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:1 NKJV 1 Then David spoke
to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
theme of the upcoming Feast of Sukkot is rejoicing. So, this teaching will
focus on David rejoicing in God. Notice that David directs the words of his
song to God. He wrote these words so that he could sing them to God! A famous
poem by Elizabeth Barret Browning begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the
ways.” This song is David’s version of counting the ways he loves God. David
describes the character traits of God that he experienced and loved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
opens his song by describing three specific traits about God—that He is David’s
Rock, his Fortress and his Deliverer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:2-3 MKJV 2 And he said,
The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer. 3 The God who is my
Rock, in Him will I trust. He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my
High Tower, and my Refuge, my Savior. You save me from violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These
two verses demonstrate the Hebrew poetic structure of parallelism. In
parallelism, the first line is repeated in slightly different terms in the
second line. In this case, the first line is repeated twice for a total of
three statements of God’s character traits that David experienced. Three is the
number of divine completion unique to God. In these opening lines, the number
three appears twice! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
first trait that David mentions is that God is his Rock. In verse two, the word
“rock” is “she’-lah,” number 5553 in Strong’s Concordance meaning to be lofty
such as that of a craggy rock or cliff. In verse three the parallel word, also
translated as “rock” is a different Hebrew word. It is the word “tsuwr,” number
6697 meaning a cliff, rock or boulder. In the third repetition, David uses the
phrase “High Tower.” This is the Hebrew word “misgah,” number 4869 meaning a
cliff or other high inaccessible place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All three of these terms depict a God that is a strong, secure boulder.
David states that He can trust in the God who is his Rock! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
second trait that David mentions is that God is his Fortress. The parallel
phrases are that God is his shield and His refuge. The Hebrew word for
“fortress” is “metsuwdah,” the feminine form of number 4686 meaning a net,
castle or fortress. That craggy rock would be a great place to build a
fortress! The name Masada, for the fortress that King Herod built, comes from
this same word. The word “shield,” is the Hebrew word “magen,” number 4043,
meaning a shield or protector. This fortress is a refuge, a safe place to which
one can flee and receive the protection of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
David describes God as His deliverer. The Hebrew word is “palat,” number 6403
meaning to deliver or cause to escape. God is the one who enables David to
escape! The first parallel phrase for deliverer is the “Horn of my Salvation.”
The word “horn” is “qeren,” number 7161 which means a horn or other projection
such as a peak or corner. Figuratively it represents power or strength. God is
the power or strength that brings salvation! The last parallel for deliverer is
My Savior. Both salvation and Savior come from the same Hebrew word,
“yaw-shaw’, number 3467 meaning to be open or wide, to be safe, or to cause to
be free. The Rock is a physical structure that just is. There is no moving it and
no changing it. The Fortress built upon the rock is for protection during
battle and during times of rest. The Horn of my Salvation is active protection.
An animal’s horn is a means of offense and defense against its enemies. As
David’s Deliverer and Savior, God actively saves him from violence!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua
refers to these same three traits when He describes where a wise man builds his
house. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 7:24-25 MKJV 24 Therefore
whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise
man who built his house on a rock. 25 And the rain came down, and the floods
came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. And it did not fall, for it
was founded on a rock. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
wise man builds his house on the rock of Yeshua and His words! Yeshua again
refers to this rock when He states that Peter is built upon it and the gates of
Hell cannot prevail against it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 16:16-18 YLT 16 and Simon
Peter answering said, `Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 17 And
Jesus answering said to him, `Happy art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and
blood did not reveal it to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens. 18 `And I
also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my
assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
again, the rock is Yeshua whose identity is the Son of the living God!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
trait that David praises about God is His availability. David states that God
was always there when he called out to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:4-7 NAS95 4 "I call
upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. 5
"For the waves of death encompassed me; The torrents of destruction
overwhelmed me; 6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death
confronted me. 7 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, Yes, I cried to
my God; And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help came into
His ears.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
uses two different metaphors to describe the situations he was in when he
called out to God. The first imagery that David uses is being surrounded by
waves and torrents of water. He compares the water to death and destruction. I
think of the time of Noah and the flood as well as Jonah being thrown into the
sea. God was with Noah and his family, and God was with Jonah through the storm
tossed seas. The second imagery is that of the prey being captured by a hunter
with cords and snares. David was constantly being hunted by Saul, and capture would
have meant death. When David was in deadly peril, God heard and responded to
David’s cry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next verse describes God’s response. And oh what a response!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:8-16 NAS95 8 "Then
the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling And were
shaken, because He was angry. 9 "Smoke went up out of His nostrils, Fire
from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it. 10 "He bowed the
heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet. 11 "And He
rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind. 12
"And He made darkness canopies around Him, A mass of waters, thick clouds
of the sky. 13 "From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled.
14 "The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice.
15 "And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, Lightning, and routed
them. 16 "Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the
world were laid bare By the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of
His nostrils.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
entire creation is at God’s disposal to answer the cry of His people! In the
midst of the response of all creation, God appeared! He rode on the wings of
the wind! First Fruits of Zion in <u>Torah Club Volume Three: The Haftarah</u>,
explains that the Canaanite gods included Baal, the god of thunder and the
rider of the clouds; Yam, the god of the sea; and Mot, the god of the
underworld. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“We can see already that in this psalm
David speaks about all of these forces—thunderstorms, the sea, and death—in
terms of God’s use of them or defeat of them. In a sense, we have many hints
that David’s deliverance, therefore, was not merely a personal one, but a
spiritual one as well.”<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Ancient%20Perspectives/Blogs/51%20-%20The%20LORD%20is%20My%20Rock,%20My%20Fortress%20and%20My%20Deliverer/Blog%20-%20The%20LORD%20is%20My%20Rock%20My%20Fortress%20and%20My%20Deliverer.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
like God took on and defeated the gods of Egypt in the plagues and the exodus,
God takes on and defeats the gods of Canaan! When Yeshua returns, He will take
on and defeat all false gods!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 24:29-30 NKJV 29
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man
will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and
they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
tells us that the results of God’s response from heaven is that God delivers
David from the water that surrounds him and the enemies that hunt him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:17-18 NAS95 17 "He
sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 18 "He
delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, for they were too
strong for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
response to David’s call for help was deliverance both physically and
spiritually. But why would God choose to answer David’s call? The next verses
explain that God is the one who made David worthy of help. David explains that
God chose to deliver him because God delighted in him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:20 NKJV 20 He also brought
me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
word “delight” is from the Hebrew word “kwaw-fates’,” number 2654 meaning to
incline, bend, to be pleased with. In our teaching on September 25<sup>th</sup>
covering Isaiah sixty two, we learned that God would change Jerusalem’s name
from Forsaken to Hephzibah. Hephzibah is from this same word “kwaw-fates’” and
means “My delight is in her.” God will delight in Jerusalem because of her
righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 62:2 NKJV 2 The Gentiles shall
see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new
name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
said that God rewarded him according to his righteousness. But how could David
claim to be righteous? He committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to
have her husband murdered. David says that his righteousness is that which is
seen through God’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:25 NKJV 25 Therefore the
LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my
cleanness in His eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
explains that it is through another of God’s traits, that of mercy, that he is
seen as righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:26-28 NKJV 26 "With
the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will
show Yourself blameless; 27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with
the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 28 You will save the humble people;
But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is through God’s mercy that the darkness of David’s sins is turned to the light
of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:29 NKJV 29 "For You
are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is through God’s mercy that He empowers David to act physically and
spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:30-31 NKJV 30 For by You I
can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. 31 As for God, His
way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust
in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
declares that he has experienced that God and His word are trustworthy. He asks
who else could possibly be God? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:32-35 NKJV 32 "For
who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33 God is my
strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the
feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make
war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
is the rock that makes David’s way perfect. He is the strength to enable David
to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. He is the power given to David to
make war against his enemies and be victorious. David’s enemies were not just
the soldiers from the opposing armies that he faced. Some of his enemies were
those from his own people who hated him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:40-41 NKJV 40 For You have
armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose
against me. 41 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I
destroyed those who hated me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
all these trials and challenges, David states that he can rely on God to
deliver him either by direct intervention through God’s creation, or by giving
David the power to defeat his enemies. God is firmly on David’s side! Even when
his enemies seemingly abandon their own gods and call out to the one true God,
God did not abandon David.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:42-44 NKJV 42 They looked,
but there was none to save; Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them. 43
Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I trod them like dirt in the
streets, And I spread them out. 44 "You have also delivered me from the
strivings of my people; You have kept me as the head of the nations. A people I
have not known shall serve me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
writer of Hebrews expresses his faith in the steadfastness of God and encourages
his readers to do so as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV 5 Let your conduct
be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He
Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we
may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do
to me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s
availability, mercy and steadfastness lead David to declare that no other god
could really be God. David rightly credits God for all his successes. There is
only one God that lives and that is the God who is David’s rock!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:47-49 NKJV 47 "The
LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!
48 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 49 He delivers
me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You
have delivered me from the violent man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David’s
response to God as his Rock and Salvation is to praise God’s name throughout
all the nations of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:50-51 NKJV 50 Therefore I
will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your
name. 51 He is the tower of salvation to His king, And shows mercy to His
anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
another Psalm, David says that he will praise God’s name in the Great Assembly
of his own people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalms 22:22 NKJV 22 I will declare
Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
thanks and praises the LORD because God readily answered his calls of help. God
extended mercy to David when he sinned. God proved that He would always be with
David. As a result, David called God His Rock, His Fortress, and His Deliverer.
Yeshua embodies all these same traits of the Father because He is the Son of
God! He does what the Father does!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 5:19 NKJV 19 Then Jesus answered
and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of
Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also
does in like manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
we put our trust in Yeshua, the Son of God, we put our trust in God! Yeshua’s
name, of course, means salvation. He is our Rock and Tower of Salvation! Let
us, like David, sing praises to God among our friends and neighbors. Let us
thank God for all the times He has been and continues to be available when we
call, to extend mercy when we sin, and to be with us through every trial we
face! He is our Rock, our Fortress, and our Deliverer!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Study
Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Discuss the connection of this
teaching to the Torah Portion Ha’azinu Deuteronomy 32:1-52</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David refers to being saved out of the
torrents of water. How is this like the situations with Noah and Jonah?</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Samuel 22:8-16 alludes to God’s
triumph over the Canaanite gods. How is this a bigger picture of God triumphing
over all false gods?</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2 Samuel 22:20, David says that God
brings him to a “broad place.” Then, in verse 37, he says that God “enlarges”
the path. What is this “broad place?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We frequently look at David as a shadow of our
Messiah Yeshua. However, Yeshua is the Son of God and does what the Father
does. In what way does David’s description of the Father in this song also
describe the Son?</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What new insight did you gain from
this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign
your life based on this new understanding?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bonus: How has
your imagery of God as your Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer changed or grown?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©
2019 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.</span></p><div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Ancient%20Perspectives/Blogs/51%20-%20The%20LORD%20is%20My%20Rock,%20My%20Fortress%20and%20My%20Deliverer/Blog%20-%20The%20LORD%20is%20My%20Rock%20My%20Fortress%20and%20My%20Deliverer.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
First Fruits of Zion. <u>Torah Club Volume 3: The Haftarah</u>. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>1999
First Fruits of Zion, Inc. Page 825<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641801968722709818.post-54008500968187477812023-07-05T06:08:00.003-04:002023-07-05T06:08:55.869-04:00Seek the LORD While He May be Found<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Dan & Brenda Cathcart<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The video version of this teaching is at: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/5tZlMWA75_w" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://youtu.be/5tZlMWA75_w </span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The scripture reading is Isaiah 55:6-56:8<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With this week’s Haftarah, we complete the
Sabbaths of Comfort as well as the final reading from Isaiah for the year. Over
the last several weeks, we have seen some amazing prophecies from Isaiah
regarding the return of God’s people from exile in Babylon and the greater
return at the end of the age when Messiah will to rule from Jerusalem on the
throne of David.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This passage of Isaiah is separated into two
parts. The first is like a plea from God for His people to seek Him out before
it is too late. It contains many promises from God and an assurance that His
word will stand forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second part identifies three specific
groups of people who make up the remnant of God’s people who will return to the
land and serve Him during Messiah’s millennial reign. These three groups are,
of course, a remnant of God’s chosen people, the Jews, a remnant of the
nations, and interestingly, eunuchs are mentions as a separate group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who is Isaiah calling to seek the LORD? How
does one go about this seeking? And what role do these three identified groups
play in the foundation of the millennial kingdom?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Haftarah opens with an invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
55:6-7 NKJV 6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is
near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For
He will abundantly pardon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In these opening verses we find what is known
as a parallelism. A parallelism is a typical Hebraic poetic form in which a
thought in the second line builds on the thought in the first line. In the
first verse, we are told not only to seek the LORD but to call upon Him. When
we look a little deeper in the Hebrew, we see that it is written in the second
person plural form indicating that these words are not directed to any one
individual or speaking to people as individuals, but it is a plea to a nation!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, there is the presupposition that the
LORD may not always be found. The invitation is for all, but there may come a
time when it will not be possible to seek Him, or one can choose not to come to
Him at all. There is a point where there will be no second chances. The writer
of Hebrews makes this point clear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hebrews 9:27
NKJV 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the
judgment,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s take a moment and back up a little and
look at another promise or invitation found in Isaiah chapter fifty-five.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
55:1-2 NKJV 1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who
have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money
and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your
wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God offered and called everyone to come to Him
and drink freely from the water which He provides. He offers His grace and
mercy free of charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is exactly
what Yeshua offered when he spoke out in the Temple courts at the feast of
Tabernacles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John 7:37-38
NKJV 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried
out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He
who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow
rivers of living water."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A third thing to be gleaned from these opening
verses of our Haftarah is that God will not only forgive sin, but He will
abundantly forgive sin! His grace and mercy are boundless! When we look at these
opening verses, viewing them in conjunction with the first two verses of
chapter fifty-five, we see a broader parallelism and the greater scope of this
invitation. These two passages are tied together to illustrate that having God
in our lives will give us strength to live up to the promise of His abundant
grace and mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering Yeshua and His ministry and
sacrifice we see what He has done for us in our lives. But Isaiah’s readers may
have had a slightly different take on Isaiah’s words. In his day, the Temple
was the residence of God’s presence on earth. To seek God and to draw near to God
meant to go to the Temple in Jerusalem and to bring one’s offerings and
sacrifices before God directly. The people of Isaiah’s generation had strayed
far from the LORD and were in grave danger from being overrun by their enemies.
The northern tribes had already faced this terrible judgment and had been taken
into exile by the Assyrians. Isaiah was giving a warning of imminent national
disaster if the people didn’t repent and return to God. Less than one hundred
fifty years later, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The time for their
repentance had run out. It is as if they had died and now it was too late, and
they faced judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next Isaiah speaks of the thoughts of God as
compared to the thoughts of man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
55:8-9 NKJV 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My
ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God’s ways and thoughts are always righteous
and contrary to the thoughts of man. The Hebrew word translated as thoughts has
a broader meaning than the English word would imply. It is number 4284 in the
Strong’s concordance “mach-ash-aw-baw’”. It does mean a contrivance, intention
or thought, but also a plan, plot, a means, or purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word implies not only a thought but also
an action based on that thought. Perhaps in better understanding this Hebrew
meaning, we can better understand other scriptures that speak of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Proverbs
23:7 NKJV 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!"
he says to you, But his heart is not with you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And Yeshua Himself spoke to this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 5:28
NKJV 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through the prophet Isaiah, God set about to
transform their thinking and therefore, their actions regarding righteousness
toward each other and toward God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The people of Isaiah’s day seemed to have
doubts about the veracity of God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This would be a natural extension and result of their wayward thinking.
But God has an answer for these doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
55:10-11 NKJV 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That
it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be
that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall
accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are some beautiful and interesting
analogies here to take note of. First is God’s word is like water, taking us
back to Isaiah 55:1 as well as Yeshua’s words about the living water. First
Fruits of Zion in their work, “Torah Club Volume Three: The Haftarah” comments on
this analogy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“… water
helps the earth to sprout. The sprouts furnish seed to the sower and,
eventually, bread to the eater. In addition, we can not forget that water
quenches thirst.”<a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Ancient%20Perspectives/Blogs/50%20-%20Seek%20the%20LORD%20While%20He%20May%20be%20Found/Blog%20-%20Seek%20the%20LORD%20While%20He%20May%20be%20Found.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God’s word is very much like the water that
replenishes the earth and quenches one’s thirst. Isaiah’s words in verse seven
indicate that God will forgive in abundance, and like the waters from heaven,
we can be assured that His word is truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, what is the outcome of God’s promises for
those who put their trust in Him, to come to Him for forgiveness and a
relationship? Isaiah answers that question in the last two verses of chapter
fifty-five.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
55:12-13 NKJV 12 "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with
peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn
shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the
myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that
shall not be cut off."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here, again, is an assurance like we have seen
in our recent studies of Isaiah, that God will never abandon His people. Yes,
they will be punished for their iniquities and transgressions, face exile and
some will surely die, but God will restore the remnant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beginning at chapter fifty-six, it appears that
Isaiah takes another sharp turn or transition. He is good at that. In this
chapter Isaiah is reminding the people of Israel to practice holiness. To live
according to God’s ways and not their own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
56:1-2 NKJV 1 Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, For
My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed
is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from
defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil." <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God singles out the Sabbath for special
mention in verse two. Israel was, and is, God’s representative on the earth and
was to set an example for the nations. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant
given at Mount Sinai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exodus 31:13
NKJV 13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths
you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your
generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keeping the Sabbath is a reminder to the
people of Israel that they are set apart, a reminder of their covenant with
God, and their obligation to be faithful to the Torah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are two other groups of people mentioned
by Isaiah in this section of the Haftarah. First off, Isaiah speaks about the
eunuchs. In our modern world, we have a difficult time relating to eunuchs as a
viable group of individuals. In ancient times a eunuch was a castrated male
servant whose job was primarily to guard a harem belonging to a prince or king.
A eunuch could be a native Israelite or someone from outside the tribes of
Israel. But Isaiah says that they too have the right to participate in the
covenant with God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
56:3-5 NKJV 3 Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the
LORD Speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His
people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree." 4 For
thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what
pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5 Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A eunuch cannot have children, yet God will
give them a special place. We also assume that Isaiah is referring to
involuntary eunuchs who have been forced to give up their right to have
children and a continuance or “place” for their name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking a closer look at the Hebrew of verse
five we find the word hand is the Hebrew “Yad”, number 3027 literally meaning
hand. In modern Hebrew the word also means “memorial”. In verse five the word
translated as name is “shem” number 8034 meaning name also related to memorial.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Jerusalem today, one can visit the
Holocaust Museum known as Yad V’shem, meaning “place of the name” or “memorial
of the name” where all those who were martyred in the firestorm that was Nazi
Germany of World War Two, and cut off from their right to a progeny and
continuance of their family name, not unlike a eunuch of ancient times who’s
progeny and name were also taken from them, are given a place, within the
walls, that is within the city of God’s name, in Jerusalem, where they are
remembered today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last group who are mentioned in our
Haftarah are the non-Israelites, the Gentiles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah
56:6-8 NKJV 6 "Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the
LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His
servants-Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My
covenant- 7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in
My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted
on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all
nations." 8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
"Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to
him."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The word “foreigner” in verse six is not the
usual Hebrew word for Gentiles which is “ger” but it is “nay-kawr’” number 5236
meaning foreigner, alien or stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The word is almost always used in the Tanakah in reference to strange
gods or those who worship strange gods. The Brown, Driver, Briggs defines the
word as “of another family, tribe, or nation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Verses six and seven are part of the liturgy
and blessings we ready every Erev Shabbat with our home Bible study group.
These foreigners who “join themselves to the LORD” are the remnant among the
nations who identify with the Israelites and worship the God of Israel instead
of strange gods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in verse three God command that these
foreigners are to be fully accepted into the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t replace the Israelite but are
added to them and included among the faithful of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle Paul speaks of those “grafted
in”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans
11:16-18 NKJV 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if
the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were
broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and
with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do
not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not
support the root, but the root supports you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah lists a set of conditions in verse six
for the foreigner to be included, not the least among them is keeping the
Sabbath. As we have said before, the Sabbath being a sign of the Covenant
implies keeping the entirety of the covenant, the Torah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are Gentile believers who fully
participate in the covenant made at Mount Sinai! Since they are grafted into
this covenant, they are granted full permission to participate. And, as it says
in verse seven, fully participate in Temple worship, bringing offerings and
sacrifices right alongside the native Israelite. In Isaiah’s day, it is at the
Temple where one can draw near to God through the offerings and sacrifices. The
apostle Paul speaks of how we are brought near through Messiah Yeshua.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ephesians
2:12-13 NKJV 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once
were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally in chapter fifty-six verse eight,
Isaiah is once again looking far ahead to a time when Messiah is present in
Jerusalem and on the throne of David. A time when He will gather others in
addition to those who are already gathered. There will be many among the
nations who will believe in Him and thereby become a part of the greater nation
of Israel and live a life according to the covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This ingathering of the Gentiles began long ago,
and much is recorded in the book of Acts about the Gentiles coming to know the
God of Israel. This ingathering is still taking place today and in increasing numbers.
Today many reports are coming from Muslim nations of a rapidly growing number
of believers meeting together in secret, underground churches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finish up the Sabbaths of Comfort with this
week’s Haftarah. Over the last several weeks we have identified many amazing
prophecies concerning Messiah Yeshua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Gospel message of salvation and restoration is loud and clear in the
words of Isaiah. In these chapters, we have seen the song of the suffering
servant Messiah in chapters forty-two through fifty-three. And the song of the
conquering king Messiah in the remainder of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isaiah is calling all to repentance and
restoration to the LORD. Not just the Jew but all who call upon His name. When
we seek Him out, His grace and mercy are freely given in great abundance. He is
faithful to keep His covenant with us as we count ourselves as grafted in. All
the remnant will be gathered in the land when Messiah returns to take His
rightful place on the throne of David. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Study Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Discuss the connection of this
teaching to the Torah Portion Vayelekh Deuteronomy 31:1-30</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Haftarah opens with Isaiah
speaking to or admonishing the people to seek the LORD. What does it mean to
truly seek Him and how is it accomplished?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why does Isaiah speak about the
difference between God’s ways and man’s ways right after he speaks about
seeking the LORD?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The chapter 56 part of the Haftarah
mentions three specific groups of people. Why these three? How are they to be
treated and what is their respective roles in the millennial kingdom?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In chapter 55 verses 12 and 13 Isaiah
speaks using the land and trees in a poetic metaphor. What is this metaphor
referring to and what is the sign that “shall not be cut off?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What new insight did you gain from this
teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign your
life based on this new understanding?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bonus: Now having
studied the book of Isaiah over these Sabbaths of Comfort, how does the book of
Isaiah present the gospel message of salvation through the Messiah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© 2019 Moed Ministries International. All
rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///Z:/Blog%20-%20Ancient%20Perspectives/Blogs/50%20-%20Seek%20the%20LORD%20While%20He%20May%20be%20Found/Blog%20-%20Seek%20the%20LORD%20While%20He%20May%20be%20Found.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
FFOZ Torah Club Vol. 3: The Haftarah, p 908</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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</div>Moed Ministries Internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407580950035950844noreply@blogger.com0