MishpatimJudgments

      The title of this Sabbath's reading portion is Mishpatim, which means "Judgments, ordinances". That reference comes from the first verse that we read in this Sabbath portion in which the LORD says to Moses: "Now these are the judgments (mispat/sapat - judgment, manner, right, ordinance, law, lawful, order, fashion, custom, measure, procedure, justice, rectitude, verdict/to judge, a judge, plead, avenged, execute, defend, deliver, punish, to rule, govern, judge) which you shall set before them." (Ex. 21:1). Often when we think of the judgment of God, it carries a negative interpretation. However, the judgment of God is not only to punish the guilty, but to defend us and avenge the innocent or the victim of evil, as we can see by the Hebrew meaning of the word above. As the LORD gave Moses the details of His law in the chapters of Exodus related to this Sabbath, we see that the LORD is most concerned about justice for the most vulnerable members of the Hebrews: Hebrew servants and slaves, the poor, the victims of crime and attack, and women. Even the Sabbath is mentioned as a benefit for the less powerful, including the animals who labor: "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 (Ex. 23:12)...Six years you shall sow (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) your land and gather in (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) its produce, 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. (v. 10-11). Jesus also taught the Sabbath, not as a religious burden or obligation, but as an opportunity for God to minister to those who are suffering, and to be a blessing to His people in general. (see Lk. 13:10-17, Mk. 2:24, 27-28). If God's law shows concern for the just treatment, comfort and well-being of animals, how much more does He concern Himself with the same for His people? Jesus said the same: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Mt. 6:26). Are not all people of more value? We also know that Jesus advocated for the most vulnerable in society, the children. (see Mk. 10:13-16).

     The Lord's care for the vulnerable in His law is seen in another reading portion from this Sabbath. The enemy, the king of Babylon and his army was at the gates of Jerusalem. The king of Judah, Zedekiah, initiated a(n) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) covenant to proclaim liberty to the Hebrew slaves. The (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people who entered into this covenant let their (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) slaves go but then changed their minds and brought them back into slavery again. This action prompted the prophetic word and mishpatim judgment of the LORD through His prophet Jeremiah: "...you recently turned and did what was (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) right in My sight - every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name. Then you turned around and profaned (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My name, and every one of you brought back his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) male and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) female slaves, whom you had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves. Therefore thus says the LORD: '...Behold, I proclaim liberty to you...to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth...I will give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life...I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant." (Jer. 34:8-22, excerpt). We see here how the LORD carried out the full meaning of mishpatim above. He enforces justice and right, especially for those who are vulnerable. This is not about the world abusing His people, but about His people abusing their vulnerable brethren, and thereby profaning the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) name of the LORD.

     The LORD's prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel, Amos, also spoke of the Mishpatim judgments and ordinances of the LORD against those who harm the vulnerable: "...they abhor the one who speaks uprightly...you tread down the poor...afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate....Seek good and not evil, that you may live...Establish justice at the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:10-15, excerpt).

     The Mishpatim Sabbath reading selection which covers Ex. 21 through Ex. 24 follows the giving of the Ten Commandments in Ex. 20. All of the specific ordinances that follow stem from those Ten Commandments, and those Ten Commandments and all of the Law and the prophets stem from two commandments. When Jesus' knowledge of the Law was tested by a lawyer among the Sadducees and the Pharisees who asked Him what the greatest commandment was: "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Mt. 22:34-40, also Deut. 6:5, Lev. 19:18). All of the law encompasses these two truths.

     While the readings for this Mishpatim Sabbath involve specifics of the Law (of Moses), this Sabbath is also significant because it is the Sabbath of the new moon, Rosh Chodesh, signifying the beginning of a new month. This coming new month will include the observance of Purim, when the plan to destroy the Jews of Persia was exposed and destroyed (see the justice, avenging and deliverance meaning of the word Mishpatim above) as told in the Book of Esther. This special Sabbath also includes some supernatural events and prophecies as part of the assigned reading that takes the precepts of the Law to the next level.

     Isaiah 66 from this Mishpatim Sabbath portion is read for this Rosh Chodesh, the new moon of the new month. While specific days are set aside for observance, like the Sabbath and each Rosh Chodesh , the LORD promises to use those days to expand the knowledge of Him throughout all of the earth, including the creation of new heavens and a new earth: "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I shall make shall remain before Me,' says the LORD, 'So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,' says the LORD." (Isa. 66:22-23). The Sabbath is the first day of the new week, and the appearance of the new moon occurs on the first day of the new month. Both the Sabbath and the new moon are "new beginnings" that the LORD will expand and extend to their ultimate creative meaning: new heavens, new earth, new but perpetually continuing worship by all flesh. How have such powerfully meaningful occasions to both God and man been reduced to empty religious practices?

     Isaiah also wrote the word of the LORD regarding the empty observances and sinful ways of God's people: "Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them...Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." (Isa. 1:13-17, excerpt). Thye LORD wasn't looking for empty rituals from empty hearts, but He was looking for what they truly represent: mishpatim judgments.

     Those who observe the Sabbaths and the Feasts must understand and enter into the eternal, the creative, power and presence of the LORD in them. If we choose to ignore their true meanings, then the LORD says to us as He said to His people in Isaiah above, "Don't bother!" And their true meanings, according to Isaiah, above, are wrapped up in Mishpatim judgments - the kind of Mishpatim judgments and ordinances exhibited by Jesus as He inhabited the Feasts, and fulfilled the Feasts, including the Sabbath. He is the substance of them. (Col. 2:16-17). If scripture tells us that we dwell together with and within Messiah/Christ (Col. 2:6-7, 9-10), and He revealed that He is Lord of the Sabbath (see Mt. 12:7-8, Mk. 2:27-28, Lk. 6:5), then we must understand the measurement of eternity and the Kingdom of God that the Sabbath and the new moon represent as Isaiah revealed above. Jesus also said: "For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Lk. 17:20-21).

     Paul wrote the following to the church expounding upon the mishpatim judgments and ordinances of God: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful...Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing also that you have a Master in heaven." (Col. 3:12-15). Paul also said: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak..." (Acts 20:35). 

     Paul, a master Torah scholar, knew that the mishpatim judgments and ordinances of God and Christ must also be reflected in the Church of believers.

     If you would like to learn more about the judgments of God, you can pray with me: "LORD of all, help me to understand and live the mishpatim judgments and ordinances of Your Word, which Jesus taught and fulfilled. Help me to understand the wonders and power built into Your Sabbath and new moons, and Your appointed Feasts. Forgive me when I limited their true meaning to a day of the week, or a custom or tradition. Forgive me when I created my own judgments and neglected to follow the Spirit and depth of Your judgments. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Messiah/Christ. AMEN."

 *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

     

Relationship

     The title of this Sabbath's reading portion is Yitro, meaning "Jethro". Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses and the priest of the Midianites. His name in Hebrew is very meaningful as we will see. Jethro became a haven to Moses when Moses was running from the sword of Pharaoh before God called him to be His servant. Jethro appears again in this Sabbath reading from Ex. 18: "And Jethro (yitro/yeter/yatar - his abundance, his excellence, a cord, a rope, a tent rope fastened to stakes, a rope that overhangs, remainder of the people, residue, remnant, that which exceeds the limit/remnant, residue, excellent, remainder/reserved, remnant, preserve, left over, plenteous, excel), the priest of Midian (midyan - strife, contention, brawling, discord), Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Israel His people - that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt." (v. 1).

     

     As we can see from the meaning of Jethro's name, he represents a remnant, or a large number of people who are in addition to Israel. Midian, of which Jethro was a priest, worshipped several gods, some of whom they had in common with the Moabites, including Baal-Peor and Ashtoreth. They also had knowledge of Yahweh, the God of Israel, but worshipped Him along with those other gods. It was likely that they were an uncircumcised people because Jethro's daughter, Zipporah, who was the wife of Moses, had contempt for circumcision. (see Ex. 4:24-26). The Midianites descended from one of Abraham's sons, Midian, by his second wife, Keturah. (see Gen. 25:1-5).

     Jethro came to Moses in the wilderness to hear for himself all that God had done for the Israelites: "So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him...And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. Then Jethro rejoiced (hada - rejoice, be gladdened, joined) for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, 'Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians... Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they (the gods of Egypt) behaved proudly (zud - act presumptuously, act rebelliously, be arrogant, act insolently, to seethe, boil up, violence, fierceness, overflow of boiling water), He was above them." (Ex. 18:7-11). Jethro now knew that the God is the Israelites, Yahweh, is not just a part of a mixture of many gods but is above all other gods, and he rejoiced in the knowledge. Jethro then offered burnt offerings and other offerings to the LORD. (v. 12). Afterwards all of the elders of Israel broke bread together with Jethro before God. Jethro was no longer just in a family relationship with Moses but had become a spiritual brother to Moses and all of Israel through his belief in the LORD. The LORD immediately began to move through Jethro to provide Moses with wise counsel: "So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said." (v. 24). Jethro fulfilled the meaning of his name by being a joining tent cord or rope representing a remnant.

     This is a beautiful example of how the LORD has an abundant remnant of people whom He grafts into the root of Israel. Those who are Gentile believers in Christ, have, like Jethro, become grafted into the holy root through faith. (see Rom. 11:17-18).

     It is also a sad part of this Sabbath reading portion that the people of Israel chose religion over relationship regarding the LORD. In the third month after they had departed from Egypt: "...they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim (repidim/repida/rapad - resting places, props, supports/support/to spread a bed, refresh, comfort, aid, prop up, protection, guard), had come to the Wilderness of Sinai (sinay - "thorny'), and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain (meaning Mount Sinai)." (Ex. 19:1-2). From a resting place, Rephidim, where the LORD had defeated the attacking Amalekites on their behalf by "propping up" the arms of Moses, the people had now come into a "thorny" place. We will see the challenge that faced them.

     The LORD called Moses to the mountain and commanded him to tell the house of Jacob and the children of Israel of His intentions towards them. This was His message: "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Ex. 19:3-6).

     The people were then commanded to consecrate themselves and come to the base of the mountain on the third day. When that day came, there were thunderings, lightnings, thick clouds and the sound of a very loud trumpet, "so that all the people who were in the camp trembled." (v. 16). The LORD descended onto Mount Sinai in fire so that the mountain smoked and quaked. (v. 18). By this display, the LORD would confirm His relationship to Moses as His prophet and the leader of His people. The LORD told Moses to warn the people not to gaze directly at Him. Moses told the LORD that He had previously said that the people were not to come up to Mount Sinai because it had been consecrated, and the LORD said to Moses: "Away! Get down (yarad - descend, sank, sink down, decline, take down, brought down, send down, go downwards to a lower region, cast down, fall down)..." (v. 21-24). As I read this language, I think that the LORD was angry with Moses' response. The LORD had called the people to the base of the mountain after three days of consecration. The LORD wanted Moses to warn the people not to look directly at Him, but Moses thought that the people should not come to the mountain. Moses instituted the first separation between God and the people. Did Moses really believe that God had forgotten what He had said previously that the people should not step on the mountain, or that God was trying to trick the people to their deaths? Of course He wasn't. The LORD had just stated His plans for the people of Israel, and they were plans of honor and holiness. These are the same plans that the LORD has for those who will come to Him today. (see 1 Pet. 2:9-10). 

     The LORD God, Who is Spirit, has also made a way for us and the whole world to gaze directly upon Him as He sent His Son in the flesh who said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (see Jn. 14:9-11). Not only did God provide this way in order for us to see Him, but also in order to invite us to touch Him (see Jn. 20:26-28), as He also physically touched us, including those with leprosy (see Mt. 8:14-15, Mt. 9:27-31, Mk. 1:40-42, Mk. 7:31-35, Jn. 13:2-5). As our relationship with the Lord deepens, and with increasing understanding of these things, we do not lose reverence for Him, but we can only gain even more reverence, awe, and love for Him. 

     I never want to say or do anything that would increase the distance between man and God. We will see that God's intentions were to be with His people, to protect and provide for His people, to develop faith within His people, to cause His people to live.

    The people of Israel completed their distancing from the LORD at that time when they said to Moses in great fear: "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Ex. 20:19). This was certainly not the same response as Jethro's rejoicing above. Fear outside of reverence is a faith-killer. When God's angels encountered people while bringing to them the Word of the LORD, they always told the person, "Fear not."

     Religion distances man from God, putting obstacles between man and God, while relationship draws man closer to God as the LORD removes all obstacles that keep His people from Him, including our own sins if we will receive Him.

     From another reading portion from this Yitro Sabbath, the LORD reveals to His prophet, Isaiah, how He feels towards His people: "But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior....Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you...Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him...I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior." (Isa. 43:1-11, excerpt).

 

     A friend recently sent a video to me that was saddening and outrageous to us both. The video was of a church leader suggesting to his congregation that we Christians should leave the word "Savior" out of our vocabulary because it is offensive to some of other faiths or no faith. The Word of the LORD through His prophet, Isaiah, above, did not find the term "Savior" offensive but a saving truth for His people. Religion keeps man from God, and sets obstacles between man and God, while a relationship draws men to God. Anyone seeking and needing a Savior can find one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, whose hands are outstretched. There is no other Savior, and no other name in heaven, on earth, or beneath the earth by which man may be saved except by the name of Jesus, Yeshua ("the LORD is salvation"), the Messiah/Christ. (see Acts 4:10-12). Don't let any man or woman, even one in clerical robes, keep you from a relationship with your Savior.

     

     As Isaiah wrote, the LORD desires a loving relationship with His people whom He formed and whom He called by His own name. Religion will try to cause a separation rather than a unification with God, but a relationship with God is built upon His love for us, even before we knew or loved Him. Scripture says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Scripture also says: "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 Jn. 4:9-11). John also wrote that God sent His Spirit to us that we might live and remain in Him (1 Jn. 4:13). This is not religion, but relationship.

     From another reading portion from this Sabbath, the LORD had brought back the Israelite captives from Babylon. The returning Israelites, under the leadership of Nehemiah and Ezra ("help, succor, assistance, one who helps") the scribe, had rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. On the first day of the seventh month, which is the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah, the people were gathered at the Water Gate and the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Book of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Israel, was read to them by Ezra. (Neh. 8:1-6). When the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people heard the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of the Book of the Law, they began to weep. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites explained the words that the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people were hearing and said to them: "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep...this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength...Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.' And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them." (v. 9-11). The great rejoicing of the people was like the rejoicing of Jethro when he had heard the wonderful things that the LORD had done for Moses and the Israelites, and having shown Himself to be the God above all other gods.

     Specific people are named in Neh. 8 in addition to the Levites who helped the people understand what they were hearing of the Book of the Law. (v. 7-8). Some of the names in Hebrew mentioned who brought understanding to the people are translated as meaning: "Jehovah (the LORD) is salvation", "repair/rebuild a house, obtain children and establish a family", "Sabbatical, restful, born on a Sabbath", "Jehovah is my majesty and splendor", "the (needle)work of Jehovah", Jehovah has helped, protected, and surrounded", "Jehovah has endowed or given", "He is merciful, gracious, with pity and favor", "Jehovah does wonders and extraordinary and marvelous work and has made distinguished", "joined to, attached, a garland, a crown".

     The Hebrew meaning of Ezra's name as noted above reminds us of the function of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus would later tell His disciples that the Holy Spirit would, as Ezra did, remind them of His words. (see Jn. 14:25-26).

     Bringing the light of understanding of the Word of God restores relationship with God. As His children, the Word of the LORD can bring us to heartache and repentance as we see how we have fallen short of His desires for us, but it also restores us in love and brings us back to Him if we do not refuse Him. (see Isa. 65:2, Mt. 23:37/Lk. 13:34).

     If you would like to know more about having a relationship with the only true God, His Son, and His Spirit, you can join me in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to be the Door that leads to relationship with You. In these current times, I am more in need of a relationship with You than ever before. I seek Your Face, Lord, and I seek Your heart. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who draws me to You. Let all that I speak and do bear witness of my relationship with You, and keep me from discouraging anyone else from seeking a relationship with You. Help me to understand Your Word and use me to cause others to understand Your Word and rejoice in it. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

      *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

     

     

     

Unbelief

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled B'shallach meaning "When he let go". The title comes from Ex. 13:17: "Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." The LORD led the Israelites by the longer route around the Red Sea instead of the direct route through the land of the Philistines. The LORD did not think that they had the faith (in Him) to face battle at that time.

     The LORD knew His *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega people well, because when, shortly thereafter, they appeared to be trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army, God's *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega people 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? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." (Ex. 14:11-12).

    The Israelites had just witnessed and participated in one of the greatest and most dreadful encounters with the power of God exhibited on their behalf - the death of the first born of Egypt, and the Israelites' escape from the angel of death by the blood of the lamb applied to the doorposts and lintels of their homes, which is the Passover. However, they did not believe that the LORD could deliver them from the Egyptian army.

     As we know, the LORD would again rescue the Israelites from the Egyptian army by parting the waters of the Sea, allowing Israel to pass through it on dry land, and then drowning the chasing Egyptian army as the waters of the Red Sea closed upon them. Of this miraculous escape the LORD said, "Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." (v. 18).

     It is almost inconceivable to us how millions of Israelites could repeatedly lose faith in God after seeing these miracles and many others in the wilderness, yet they did.

     Right after the Red Sea was divided and the Israelites crossed safely, Moses and the Israelites sang a song celebrating the greatness of God. Miriam, a prophetess and sister of Moses, led the women in a dance of victory. However, about 2 months later, the Israelites were in a panic because they had no meat nor bread. They said to Moses and Aaron: "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) whole assembly with hunger." (Ex. 16:1-3). It didn't take long for their celebrations of God to turn into a "pity party".

     Again, God heard the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) murmurs of the people and sent quail and manna flakes of grain from heaven with the dew for the Israelites. (Ex. 16:9-12). The LORD fed His people in such a manner that they would know that He is the LORD their God. As we see from the above verses, when the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega people of God murmur and complain, those complaints become *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega murmurs and complaints. That is a shame upon God's people. Do we think that our complaints do not reflect upon the character and being of Messiah/Christ Jesus, the Alpha and Omega? The written Hebrew says that they do.

     Moses revealed this truth when he said to the complaining Israelites: "...for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) complaints/murmurings are not against us but against the LORD." (Ex. 16:8). Our murmurs and complaints, and we have many, are not against flesh and blood but against God Himself, who has charge over us.

     Another reading portion from this B'shallach, "when he let go" Sabbath from Psalm 78 describes the generation that had been delivered out of slavery in Egypt as: "A stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God...And forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them...they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation...they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear...their heart was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant." 

     These verses tell us that this rebellion and faithlessness is a heart and spirit problem. We will also see this later in verses from the New Testament.

     Psalm 78 also reminds us of the command that we saw previously from the LORD to tell the new generation of the greatness of God: "That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." (V. 6-7). Faith begins to be built into our children's hearts as we glorify God to them.

     We see another form of unbelief in a different reading portion from this Sabbath. In Judges 4, the Judge and prophetess of Israel, Deborah, sends for Barak (baraq - lightning, flash of lightning, the brightness of a sword, a gleam, swift brightness, swift destruction, cast forth lightning) and said to him: "Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men...and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's (king of Canaan) army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand?" And Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." (Judges 4:6-8).

     Deborah is not giving Barak the instruction to go into battle. She is confronting him with the fact that the LORD had already commanded Barak to gather an army and go into battle with Sisera, a Canaanite general. Barak refused to obey the LORD's command the first time and refuses again to Deborah unless she goes with him into battle. We can see from the meaning of Barak's name (see above) that he was destined and appointed by the LORD for this task. However, Barak's faith was not in God but in the physical presence of the prophetess. Do we also place our faith in man rather than God? The apostle Paul challenged the idea that the churches placed their faith and identity in a man, including himself, rather than God. (see 1 Cor. 3:3-7).

     Although the battle against Sisera and his army would be won, Deborah said that because Barak did not honor God, he would get no glory from the victory. Instead, Deborah said, a woman, Jael, who was not even an Israelite, would kill the enemy general Sisera in her tent.

     Jesus told His followers that faith and belief would be seriously challenged in the times before His return. The challenges would come in all forms from natural disasters, wars, disease, famine, persecution and earthquakes to false prophets and false Messiah/Christs who would come to deceive and rob the faith of others. The danger would be so extreme that even the elect could be deceived and unless the days were shortened no flesh would be left on the earth. The apostles who wrote the epistles of the New Testament warned of the same. As Jesus said, "I have told you beforehand." (Mt. 24:21-25). He told us beforehand so that we would be prepared for the troubles.

     Before He suffered on the cross, Jesus also promised His believers that He would send them the Holy Spirit to teach them and to bring them peace as He goes away to His Father in heaven and returns again. As Jesus said above about the trials and tribulations coming, He also said of the promise of the Holy Spirit: "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe." (Jn. 14:25-19). Jesus wanted us to believe.

     How much of the above-mentioned catastrophes the believers in Christ will experience before Jesus calls us away (see 1 Cor. 15:51-55, and 1 Thess. 4:15-18) is unknown, but we are seeing at least the beginning of these challenges now. Will we be able to hold onto faith? Jesus wondered if He would find any faith on the earth when He returns. To His disciples who saw miracles daily in their walk with Jesus, including the raising of the dead, Jesus still had to say to them: "O ye of little faith." (see Mt. 8:25-26, Mt. 14:29-33, Mt. 16:8-12). 

     Instead of having a false confidence in our own faith, our prayer should be as the father prayed to Jesus while seeking a miracle healing for his child: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." (see Mk. 9:22-24). This desperate father revealed a subtle truth to us here. Faith is not generated by us, but it is a spiritual gift given to us by God (see 1 Cor. 12:7-11, Eph. 2:8-10). Faith and faithfulness are also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-25) meaning that it multiplies. So our first mistake is in thinking that we generate our own faith rather than God. This mistake causes us to walk in spiritual pride which is carnal and hardens our hearts. All good and perfect gifts, including faith, come down to us from our Father of lights. (James 1:17-18). God's faith is perfect and unaffected by any circumstance. Why do we not pray for faith? Faith is part of the armor of God and the power of His might that He has provided for us (Eph. 6:10-18). Why do we insist on wearing our own armor against spirits of wickedness and darkness?

     Daniel wrote that the people who know their God will do great things in the coming trials of the latter days. Do we know our God as intimately as we think we do?

     Do we think that our self-generated faith is far superior to the faith of the Israelites in the wilderness? or superior to Barak's faith above? That is the first sign of a hardened heart: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil (poneros/ponos/penes - evil things, labors, hardships causing pain and troubles, hurtful, degeneracy, diseased, derelict/great trouble, pain, anguish/poor, starving, to toil for daily sustenance) heart (kardia - the heart as an organ and as a center and seat of physical and spiritual life of the soul) of unbelief (apistia - faithless, unbelief, disbelief, withholding belief in the divine power) in departing (ephistemi - draw away, fall away, depart, remove, withdraw, become faithless) from the living (zao - to live, breathe, be among the living, not dead, true life, life as active, blessed and eternal in the kingdom of God, life as active, powerful and effective producing the desired or intended result) God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called, "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers (metochos/metecho - partner, sharing in, an associate/take part, belong to, of the thing hoped for) of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence (hypostasis - firm foundation, real being, substance, assurance, confidence, resolution, firm trust, essence, support) steadfast to the end, while it is said: 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion (of the Israelites)." (Heb. 3:12-15).

     As snares are set for the people of God, and troublesome times increase in severity, let us reconsider what we need to know about faith. It is not foolishness but humility of heart that asks the Lord to gift us with His faith, for without that faith it is impossible to please God.

     If you would like to learn more about the importance of godly faith in your walk, you can join me in prayer: "Heavenly and Gracious Father, through Your Son, Jesus, and through Your Holy Spirit, help my unbelief. Pour out Your perfect gift of faith into my heart so that I might please You, and walk with You in the days ahead. Help my prayers to be filled with Your faith and show me how to walk in Your armor. Help me not to rely on my own understanding and strength, but in Your might, which You freely and lovingly provide for me. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

     *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

Unleavened

      The title of this Sabbath's reading portion is Bo, meaning "Enter." The title comes from Ex. 10:1-2: "Now the LORD said to Moses, 'Go in (bo - enter, come in, come or bring to pass, bring in, bring near, to enter as a bride into the house of a husband, attack an enemy, bring against, enter into judgment, bring before a tribunal) to Pharaoh; for I have hardened (kabad - to be heavy, be grievous, be hard, be insensible, be dull, make unresponsive, make oneself dense)  (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 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."

     As we can see from the meaning of bo, above, there is a double understanding within the Hebrew word. We can come into or enter the presence of the LORD like a bride entering into her husband's house, or to enter into the judgment of, or the attack against an enemy.

     We can also see that while Pharaoh had had an *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega heart, he had deliberately turned his back on that purpose and consequently the LORD made it impossible for Pharaoh to enter into the knowledge of the LORD again. Judgment therefore had come to Pharaoh and his house. Proverbs tells us that the heart of the king is in the hands of the LORD, and He turns it whichever way He wills, and the LORD weighs the hearts. (Prov. 21:1-3). Beware kings and rulers on the earth. Don't resist the leading of the LORD.

     We also see that the purpose of this powerful dealing with Pharaoh and Egypt was to be an account to be passed down the generations of the Hebrews as an everlasting ordinance. There was something vitally important in this encounter never to be forgotten.

     Within this Bo Sabbath reading portion is the account of the night of the Passover of the LORD, when the Hebrews were told to enter into their homes, the doors, the doorposts and lintels of which had been covered by the blood of the sacrificed Passover lamb, were shut, while the death of all of the first born of Egypt swept across that land, and anguished cries sounded outside the closed doors of the Hebrews. From the beginning, the LORD had told Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart against the command of the LORD to let His people go out of the slavery of Egypt. In the verses above, the LORD reveals that it is He who hardened Pharaoh's heart.

     The death of all of the first born of Egypt was the tenth plague brought against the Egyptians and their gods (Ex. 12:12), and the most severe. However, as for the Hebrews: "Now the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) blood (on the doorposts and lintels) shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (v. 13). Even Pharaoh's own first-born son died that night (Ex. 12:29). As a result of this plague of death: "...Pharaoh rose in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Then he (Pharaoh) called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, 'Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) LORD as you have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also." (Ex. 12:30-32).

     A very strange thing was noted as the Israelites quickly left their slavery and Egypt behind: "So the people took (nasa - lift up, bear continuously, carry, forgive, support, sustain, accept, exalt, pardon, spare, desire, hold up, raise up, bring forth)  (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) their dough (baseq - unleavened dough, dough before rising) before it was leavened (hames - leavened, be sour, grieved, cruel, be imbittered, oppress, be ruthless, harsh, blood-stained, scarlet mantle of a ruler, to act violently, unjust, to injure, to be afflicted with pain), having their kneading bowls (root word sa'ar - remnant, left over, remain, left alive, survive, the rest) bound up (sarar - be in straits, adversary, bound up, tied up, cause distress, make narrow, shut up, birth pangs, to persecute [see 1 Sam. 25:29]) in their clothes (simla/semel - apparel, a covering assuming the shape of the object beneath, a covering in sleep/image, figure, likeness, resemblance) on their shoulders (shekem/shawkam - shoulder, back, portion, place of burdens/to rise or start early, rise up early). Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles/jewels (keli/kala - vessel, arms, weapons, jewel, armor, ornaments/fulfill, accomplish, finish, end, done) of silver, articles (see keli/kala above) of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they spoiled/plundered (nasal - deliver, recover, escape, rescue, take out, snatch away, draw out, preserve, deliver from sin and guilt, to deliver from death or enemies) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Egyptians." (Ex. 12:34-36).

     According to the Hebrew meanings of the words used in the above verses, there is a wealth of information connected to the Israelites exit out of Egypt on the night of Passover. The LORD commanded that immediately following Passover, there would be a seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Along with Egyptian gold, silver, and raiment, the Israelites carried out on their shoulders dough bowls filled with the unleavened bread dough that did not have time to rise because of their hasty exit from Egypt. As we see above, leavened bread is associated with suffering, oppression, injustice, bitterness, blood-stained, violence, injuries, affliction and pain. We also see a picture of the evil of leavened bread in the suffering of Christ in these terrible afflictions as He was "raised up" on the cross. The unleavened bread celebrates the absence of or deliverance from these terrible things which the Israelites had suffered during bondage in Egypt. It also represents our spiritual liberty found in the sacrifice of the Messiah/Christ. 

     As we incorporate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, including the Hebrew meanings of the verse above from Ex. 12 in our lives as believers, the apostle Paul wrote this to the church: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness (pikria/pikros/pegnymi - bitter gall [see Mt. 27:33-34], bitter hatred, poison, extreme wickedness/bitter, harsh, virulent, to pierce, to cut/to fasten by peg [see also Col. 2:13-14]), wrath (thymos/thyo - passion, fierceness, indignation, wrath, inflaming wine that kills or drives drinkers mad/slaying or sacrifice of the paschal [Passover] lamb), anger (orge/orego - violent passion or emotion, agitation of the soul, angry infliction of punishment/to stretch one's self out, covetous love of money), clamor (kraugo/krazo - cry, crying in tumult or grief/cry out for vengeance, shriek, scream), and evil speaking (blasphemia - slander, detraction, abusive injurious speech to another's good name, impious speech injurious to divine majesty) be put away from you with all malice (kakia - maliciousness, ill will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, without shame, evil, harm, worthless). And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Eph. 4:30-32).

     Jesus told His listeners to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:6), which He described as hypocrisy (Lk. 12:1). This must have shocked His listeners, because these two groups were viewed and feared as being the most "religious". While being confident in and prideful of their own self-righteousness and expert adherence to scripture, the Pharisees and Sadducees did so through a spirit of meanness, mercilessness and accusation, which blinded them to their own Savior and Redeemer, Jesus, whom they accused most viciously and rejected.

     From another reading portion of this "enter" Sabbath from Ezra 6, the Feast of Unleavened Bread was observed with joy: "And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel." (Ezra 6:22). In fact, the house of the LORD was finished in Jerusalem as a result of the commands of three foreign kings: Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. (Ezra 6:14-15).

     It is also interesting to see that according to the Hebrew meaning of "spoil or plunder" of the wealth of the Egyptians, it had more of a meaning of a redemption price for the Egyptians, a pardoning of sin and guilt, a deliverance from death for the injustices they had heaped upon the Israelites. The wealth of the Egyptians, in part, came from the free labor and broken backs of their slaves. This restitution paid carries the meaning of being pardoned for that injustice. The lives of the Egyptians were spared from death as a result as found in the meaning of nasal (see above) in Hebrew. This redemption price also would build the tabernacle or house of God in the wilderness. We can say that the house or temple of God is built from the redemption price paid. In fact, after paying this redemption price, which is the rescue or deliverance from deserved death, the Egyptians are then noted as being the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Egyptians, the title associated with the Lord/Messiah/Christ Jesus, the Redeemer.

     Scripture says that our lives were also bought with a price paid by our Redeemer with His blood: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's...You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 7:23). We are living temples also built by the redemption price paid by Christ for us. Peter also wrote: "...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot [see the Passover lamb of Ex. 12:5]." (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Our redemption price was the blood of Jesus, the unblemished Passover Lamb of God.

     Again, the LORD commanded that this remembrance of Passover was to be passed to all future generations: "So this day shall be to you a memorial (zikaron/zakar - memorial, remembrance, records, reminder, a memorable thing/mention, recorder, bring to remembrance, call to mind, think on); and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance." (Ex. 12:14).

     There are many important accounts in scripture of the miraculous deliverance of the LORD when His people were under the oppression of their enemies.  However, this particular event, the Passover, is of such significance that the LORD commanded that it always be remembered and observed as a memorial.

     Not only was Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread to be kept forever through all generations, but the Israelites were commanded to wear the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a sign: "Unleavened Bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you in all your quarters. And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.' It shall be as a sign (ot - sign, signal, distinguishing mark, banner, remembrance, miraculous sign, warning, miracle, proof, evidence, mark, monument, flag, beacon, a prophetic portent, a sign of a future fulfilment, to consent, to agree) to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) ordinance in its season from year to year." (Ex. 13:7-10).

     The Israelites were to wear the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a sign. The Hebrew definition of "sign" also includes "beacon". The definition of beacon is "a light/fire set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration". While the Church of believers as a whole does not observe either Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread or any of the other Feasts of the LORD, Jesus told us to be "beacons", with our lights set in a high place on a lampstand for all to see. (Mt. 5:14-16). We need to understand the importance of wearing and being the mark or sign of salvation life.

     The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to last seven days: "Seven (seba/saba - seven, seven-fold/swear, oath, charge solemnly, adjure, curse, "seven" oneself) days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread ...that person shall be cut off (karat - cut off, cut down, destroy, to permit to perish, to covenant to perish) from Israel." (Ex. 12:15). The seven days represent an oath. It is either an oath to be partakers of the unleavened bread, or it is a covenant made to perish by the curse that accompanies what is represented in leavened bread. 

     The Passover Lamb has redeemed and delivered us from slavery and death. It is a very serious thing to follow that sacrifice by turning back to the bitterness of leavened bread

     After the Israelites left Egypt, they took the unleavened dough they had carried on their shoulders and baked it: "And they baked (apa - to bake, to be complete or whole) unleavened (massa - without leaven, sweet, not soured by yeast) cakes of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened (hames, as above - cruel, grieved, sour, embittered, ruthless, oppress, harsh), because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions (food, meat) for themselves." (Ex. 12:39). 

     Not only was it important to eat the unleavened bread after they had dwelt in Egypt, but it was also important to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread when they would eventually dwell in the Promised Land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and the Jebusites dwelt (Ex. 13:5-7). These tribes of the land would be dispossessed as their wickedness became full. As the people of God eat the unleavened bread, it sets a difference between them and those who are "leavened".

     It is the completed work of God in us through Jesus Messiah/Christ as He removes us from Egypt, the house of bondage (Ex. 13:3) and commands us to eat the unleavened bread of, and following, Passover.

     If you would like to know more about living as unleavened bread, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You brought me out of the house of bondage to sin through Your Son, Jesus, and brought me into Your house of Redemption. By the power and truth of Your Word and Holy Spirit, teach me how to walk as unleavened bread, to be a sign or beacon for others to see. Remove from me all leaven and hypocrisy, and cause me to be covered with the resemblance and image of Jesus Messiah/Christ. Help me to show others the sweetness of Your living Bread that came down from heaven. I ask this in the name of Jesus, AMEN."

     *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

MonsterSlayer

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Va-eira, meaning "and I appeared," and begins in Ex. 6. Our title comes from v. 2-3: "And God spoke to Moses and said to him: 'I am the LORD (YHWH). I appeared (ra'a - see, look, behold, appear, consider, perceive, foresee, seer, have vision, discern, be visible, experience) to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by My name LORD I was not known to them." This name, LORD, is a new revelation to the people of God. It is revealed at a time when the LORD will perform mighty miraculous acts to free His people from bondage and oppression.

     The LORD first revealed His name to Moses in Ch. 3:14-15, when Moses asked His name to tell to the Israelites: "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM (written in Hebrew as YHWH or יְהֹוָה ).'...Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you...This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations." Not only is this name, LORD, an eternal name, but it is the name that is to be made known to every generation. Every generation must have this knowledge for the reason that will be revealed below.

     In both places where this name is mentioned, there is also the promise to deliver the Israelites out of the land of Egypt and to bring them into the land promised by covenant in Canaan. This name, LORD, means "the existing One," and it is this name by which God delivers His people using whatever means necessary. Each Hebrew letter in the name LORD, yod-hey-vaw-hey, carries a separate meaning that when combined can be translated "Behold, the hand, behold the nail." We can see the identity of Jesus in this named. This is also a name that defeats monsters as we will see.

     In another reading portion from this Va-eira, "and I appeared" Sabbath, the LORD says to His prophet, Ezekiel: "Speak and say, 'Thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I am against you O Pharaoh king of Egypt, of great monster (tannin - dragon, great serpent, sea or river monster, venomous, devourer) who lies in the midst of his rivers, who has said, 'My River (referring to the Nile River) is my own; I have made it for myself.'...I have given you as food to the beasts of the field and to the birds of the heavens. Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. When...you broke and tore all their shoulders; When...you broke and made all their backs quiver." (Ezek. 29:3, 5-7).

     Several of the gods, or ruling spiritual powers, of Egypt were associated with the Nile River, the most important river to the ancient Egyptians in their religion by which they used occultic practices in order to claim to have control over death and resurrection. There are organizations today that still rely upon these occultic beliefs and practices in order to accomplish eternal life. The ancient Egyptians also relied upon the Nile's flooding seasons for their agricultural production. The Nile River became the center of creation, fertility, the underworld, including death and resurrection as mentioned, and to the LORD, it also was the source of oppression of God's covenant people as He told Ezekiel, above. The LORD told Moses that He would judge the gods of Egypt, "I will execute judgment: I am the LORD." ( Ex. 12:12). Again the LORD attaches His name to this judgment that would bring deliverance to His people.

     In another reading portion from this Sabbath, the psalmist wrote of the judgment of the LORD against Pharaoh, Egypt and its gods: "He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, by sending angels of destruction among them." (Ps. 78:49).

     The first plague sent by the LORD against Egypt and its gods in order to force Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves was the plague against the Nile and all of the waters of Egypt. The LORD instructed Moses to meet Pharaoh as he went to the River and say to him: "The LORD God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, 'Let (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness'; but indeed, until now you would not hear! Thus says the LORD: 'By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike (naka - smite, slay, kill, beat, slaughter, punish, conquer, ravage, captured, wounded, stricken, stripes, smitten, scourge) the waters which are in the river (ye'or - of Egyptian origin, specifically the Nile and its collateral trenches) with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood (dam/damam - blood, bloodthirsty, blood guiltiness, blood shed that causes death/silence, cut off, cut down, cease, be astonished or stupefied, perish). And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink (ba'as - stink, abhor, abomination, loathsome, be offensive), and the Egyptians will loathe (la'a - be weary of, to exhaust oneself, to labor, be offended, make disgusted, faint, loathe) to drink the water of the river." (Ex. 7:16-18, see also Ps. 78:43-44).

     Not only did the Nile turn to blood, but every source of water in Egypt turned to blood, including any water that was in a container or cup! (v. v. 19). The plague lasted seven days. (v. 25). The magicians of Egypt were able to copy this plague, which hardened Pharaoh's heart against the power of the LORD, but the magicians were not able to alleviate the plague of God, neither were the Egyptian gods of the River able to reverse the plague evidently, because the plague continued for its appointed timespan.

     The purpose of this and the other plagues against Egypt were not only for the purpose of forcing Pharaoh to let God's people go, but it was also to be a testament to the LORD's people of His power and willingness to deliver His people out of their severe bondage. Psalm 78 mourns the fact that God's people failed to remember all that He did in order to deliver them and make them a nation (Ps. 78:52-55). Even after all that the LORD had accomplished on their behalf, His people tested and provoked (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-Elohim) God, turned back and acted unfaithfully, did not keep His testimonies, and moved Him to jealousy with their idols (v. 56-58).

     The question is: Do we remember all that the LORD has done for us through mighty wonders and works? Or have we forgotten His absolute power and might? Have we hardened our hearts against the ways of God as Israel once did, as Psalm 78 laments?

     Some may not believe that there are monsters. Some may have forgotten how the LORD defeated monsters on behalf of His people. Some may have forgotten that we, the Church of believers in Christ, are called to be monster slayers ourselves.

     The apostle Paul wrote this to the Church: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness or this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6:1-013).

     Paul is talking about monsters here - spiritual serpents and dragons -venomous and merciless devourers of human beings and whole nations (see above Hebrew meaning of "monster").

     Paul also wrote further: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?..." (2 Cor. 10:3-7a).

     As we war against the flesh of others (although we do not spend much time or effort warring against our own flesh), and as we war against what outward appearances seem to tell us, we become totally ineffectual as monster slayers. The warfare against monsters begins in our own minds and in our own obedience to the Lord and to His Word and Spirit.

    In another place, Paul wrote that the Church of believers is to make known the mystery that has been revealed to it: "...and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence through faith in Him." (Eph. 3:9-12). There is a mystery, now revealed to the church to be made known to the monsters mentioned in the above verse from Ephesians, and to all men, "...which is "Christ in you (meaning the believer), the hope of glory." (see Col. 1:26-27).  Jesus revealed the same mystery when He said, "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. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (Jn. 3:16-27). There is escape from condemnation and death, there is everlasting life, there is salvation for all who will believe in the Son, Jesus, who accomplished this earth-shaking work in the will and in the name of His Father.

     Here is another monster slayer: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20). This overcomes the biggest monster of all - Satan himself: "...for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb (meaning Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God) and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev. 12:10-11).

     Calling all monster slayers - Fall in and take up your weapons of warfare: the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:14-18). 

     The connection between the name LORD and Jesus is discussed above. LORD is the name by which God will judge the gods or monsters of Egypt and deliver His people. Scripture also relates how the name of Jesus has authority over all created beings, including monsters: "And being found in appearance as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:8-11).

     All knees must bow at this name, Jesus/Yeshua (meaning "the LORD is salvation"), and at the title of "Lord", including the knees of monsters. Keeping this in mind, the greatest monster slayer and ruler of all time and before time, is coming, the returning Messiah/Christ, Jesus as "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev. 19:15-16). At that time, "...the lawless one... the son of perdition (hell)...will be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thess. 2:3, 8-10).

     The Book of Revelation gives us a detailed description when the coming of the Lord shall destroy Mystery Babylon the Great (Rev. 17:3-6, 18:4-8), overcome the nations, the beast (meaning the lawless one as described above, also known as the antichrist), and the false prophet who served the beast. Also His angel: "laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old (see the Hebrew meaning for "monster" above), who is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him..." (Rev. 19:11-21, and 20:1-3).

     In this age when spiritual monsters have used their wicked power to attempt to destroy all that is life, we, the believers in Christ, should begin to understand what it means to be a monster slayer.

     If you would like to know more about the LORD and His determination to judge the spiritual monsters that seek to destroy His people, you can pray with me: "LORD God, Creator of all, LORD of all, Your Son, who came in Your name, appeared to us in the flesh and died and rose again so that we might have life and that more abundantly. Your promise Lord Jesus is to dwell in me as I dwell in You, to cleanse me of all unrighteousness, to remove all power of sin and death over my life, that I may stand before monsters in the evil day with my life hidden in You, and Your Word and Your faith in my mouth. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and with Your Word so that my obedience will be fulfilled as a witness against the spiritual monsters of wickedness who seek to destroy life. I ask this in the name of Jesus, AMEN."

      *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

     

Midwives

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Sh'mot, which means "Names." The title, Sh'mot, is also the Hebrew name for the Book of Exodus. The title comes from Exodus 1:1: "Now these are the names (sem [shem]- name, memorial, monument, conspicuous position, a mark of individuality, by implication honor, authority, character; to mark with a sign, to designate) of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob:" 

     Some who will be named in this reading portion are Moses, who was named by Pharaoh's daughter (Ex. 2:10), the Hebrew midwives, who intervened to spare the lives of Hebrew male babies (Ex. 1:15-20), and the LORD Himself, who revealed His name to Moses as I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:13-15), written in Hebrew as YHWH (each Hebrew letter may be interpreted as "Behold the hand, behold the nail").

     The two Hebrew midwives named in Exodus chapter 1 are Shiphrah (sipra/sapar - fair, brightness, beauty, most splendid, related to God's Spirit/pleasing, beautiful, bright, glistening, shine, brilliancy of sound as with a sopar/shofar trumpet) and Puah (splendid, to glitter, brilliancy, mouth). They had been brought before Pharaoh and directly commanded by him that when the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Hebrew women came to them to give birth, the midwives were to kill the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) male Hebrew babies as they were born, but to spare the female babies. How unusual it was for the Pharaoh himself, the most powerful ruler in the world at the time, to have Hebrew midwives come into his royal presence and issue to them his direct command. The two Hebrew midwives ignored Pharaoh's command: "But the midwives (yalad - beget, born, bring forth, midwife, delivered, act as a midwife, help to bring forth, declare one's birth) feared (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) God, and did not do as the king had commanded them, but saved the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) male children (yeled/yalad - child, son, young man/beget, born, bring forth, midwife, delivered, act as a midwife, help to bring forth, declare one's birth) alive (haya, haya - live, alive, save, quicken, revive, life, live forever, restored to life, preserve alive, keep alive)." (v. 17). The Hebrew word for "alive" includes the idea of restored to life and eternal life. As we can see from the Hebrew for "male child", the root word is the word for "midwife". The two are directly connected. There is no live delivery/deliverance without the midwife.

     Because of their actions: "...God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) God, that he provided households (bayit/bana - house, dwelling habitation, family, descendants as an organized body, temple, door/obtain children, build up, establish, made permanent, cause to continue) for them." (v. 20-21). 

     The Jewish Talmud (Sotah 11b), or Rabbinical Judaism, states that Shiphrah and Puah were close ancestors of Moses. It is a fact that directly after the account of the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, in Exodus 1, comes the account of Moses' birth in Exodus 2. From the midwives who delivered children alive, God would bring forth the Deliverer of Israel, Moses.

     One of the interesting thoughts that I came across regarding this Sabbath reading portion and the Book of Exodus in general was that the LORD was birthing something. Because part of the meaning of "Egypt" in Hebrew is "double straits: narrow passage of water, narrow passageway, affording little space, confined in area, shut in, cramped, enclose, shut up, compress, limit, hemming in, fenced," the multiplying of the family of Jacob into the nation of Israel, coming forth from Egypt, is likened to being birthed through a narrow, confined birth passage.  The LORD told Moses regarding His people: "I have come down to deliver (nasal - draw out, pull out) them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land..." (Ex. 3:8).

     We see a similarity as Jesus teaches about the narrowness of the new birth into the kingdom of God and His righteousness: "Enter by the narrow/strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow/strait is the gate and difficult/narrow (thlibo - compressed, strait, contracted, narrow, to press hard upon) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mt. 7:13-14).

      In this understanding, Moses, the Deliverer, leading the Israelites out of Egypt, can be perceived in the role of a spiritual midwife. Later, as the Israelites constantly complained and cried to Moses with their dissatisfaction and distress, Moses would cry out to God saying: "Why have you afflicted your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that You have laid (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) nursing child', to the land which You swore to their fathers?...For they weep all over me...the burden is too heavy for me." (Num. 11:10-14). Moses was not always happy being a spiritual midwife to the birthing process of a nation.

     In Judaism, God is credited with having the heart and purpose of a midwife, as they cite Psalm 22: "But You are He who took Me (Messiah/Christ) out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God." (v. 9-10).

     In speaking about Jerusalem, the LORD speaks of finding Jerusalem as a cast off birth and who had not been tended by a midwife: "...your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you to do any of these things for you...but you were thrown out into an open field...loathed on the day you were born." (Ezek. 16:4-5). The LORD then said, "And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!'. Yes, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!" (v. 6). The LORD midwifed the newborn Jerusalem, having pity on her. The spirit of the world on the other hand, like Pharaoh, will not assist in spiritual birth but will cast it off as unwanted.

     In Judaism the midwife is called meyalledet, or one who causes or helps with birth.  A Jewish midwife during a birth might traditionally recite prayers known as Tkhines which focus on asking God for a safe and easy delivery, for the well-being of both mother and child, and often include pleas for the baby to be born whole and healthy, with blessings for a good life; key themes of prayer also include invoking the compassion of God, referencing the stories of the midwives Shiphrah and Puah from the Exodus, as we read above, and expressing gratitude for the miracle of new life.           

     What does this have to do with us?

      The entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a new birth: "Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus, a rabbi), 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again (anothen - from above, from the beginning, anew), he cannot see the kingdom of God...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:3, 5).

     Peter refers to believers as those who have been "begotten again" by God, and "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God..." (1 Pet. 1:3, 23), and writes about us being "newborn babes" (1 Pet. 2:2).

     As we look at the Hebrew word and meaning for midwife again: yalad - "beget, born, bring forth, midwife, delivered, act as a midwife, help to bring forth, declare one's birth", we can see the importance that the role of the spiritual midwife, both male and female, plays in the kingdom of God. Whether we are able to directly aid in the spiritual rebirth of someone, or whether we serve as spiritual midwives through prayer, the godly and faithful midwife is honored and valued by the Lord, as He honored Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus.

     In these times before the return of Jesus, spiritual midwives, whether male or female, play a special and beautiful role according to the prophet Daniel. Let's remind ourselves of the meaning of the names of the midwives in Exodus, Shiphrah and Puah: "fair, brightness, beauty, most splendid, related to God's Spirit, pleasing, beautiful, bright, glistening, shine, brilliancy of sound as with a sopar (shofar) trumpet, splendid, to glitter, brilliancy, mouth."

     Daniel describes special people of God, particularly associated with the latter days, in the following manner: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." (Dan. 12:3). There is a special brightness that accompanies those who lead others into the (narrow) way of righteousness. The way is made narrow by the fact that there is only one name under heaven by which we may be saved - Jesus. (Acts 4:10-12).

     Jesus said that He is the light of the world and called us to be the light of the world also, telling us to "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (see Mt. 5:14-16). Part of being a shining light is to understand what it means to be a spiritual midwife. In Genesis, a picture is given of a seemingly reborn earth. Before this rebirth of earth, God called forth light. The Holy Spirit lovingly and tenderly moved over the dark and void earth to be in the position to usher the earth and all that would inhabit it into that glorious light. (Gen. 1:1-5). As it was for the rebirth of the earth, it is the same for the rebirth of each soul that comes to the Kingdom of God. There is a guided movement or transition from darkness into light: "...you are...His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called (kaleo - utter in a loud voice, invite, call by name, to bear a name or title, to proclaim 'today') you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10, excerpt).

     To learn more about being a spiritual midwife in the Kingdom of God, you can join me in my prayer: "Father in heaven, You called me to be reborn in Your Son, Jesus, and I ask that I may also pray, teach, and lead others into this spiritual rebirth by Your Holy Spirit. Let me serve as a godly midwife, cleansing, applying salt, and wrapping in the white linen of Your righteousness those who are being reborn into Your Kingdom of light and life. As a shofar trumpet, let me sound or proclaim the day of rebirth in each new spiritual life, and let me speak and pray the blessing of God to keep and nurture that new life. I bless and glorify Your name for the mercy You showed to me and countless others in calling us to Yourself through Your Son, Jesus. AMEN."

     *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.