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.

     

     

     

Changed

     This Sabbath's reading portion is titled Yitro, referring to Jethro, Moses' father-in-law. Jethro/Yitro/yeter in Hebrew means "his abundance, his excellence, tent cords that tie tent curtains to the tent pegs in the ground, exceed the measure, remnant, remainder/remnant". If we visualize the meaning of Jethro's name as "a tent cord", it is the connection between the tent peg, or nail (Christ attached to the cross) attached to the earth, and the tent curtain, or (heavenly) tabernacle. Maybe we can think of this as "the Jethro effect" for the purposes of this study, as we will see. This "Jethro effect" should also be working in all of us who are believers in Messiah/Christ Jesus. 

     This Sabbath portion from the Torah includes Exodus Chapters 18 through 20. As we begin the reading, Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, "has heard of all that God had done for Moses and for (aleph-tav/ "Alpha and Omega" in Greek, referring to Jesus: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) Israel His people - that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt." (Ex. 18:1). Having heard this news, Jethro took his daughter, Moses' wife, (aleph-tav) Zipporah with her two sons to Moses in the wilderness, then encamped at the mountain of God. (v. 2-5).  

     When Jethro met with Moses upon his arrival, Moses 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." (v. 8). 

     At this point, Jethro's life is changed. Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done for Israel. Jethro blessed the LORD and said: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them." (v. 11). Then Jethro took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God." All of the elders of Israel and Arron, Moses' brother, came to eat bread with Jethro before God (v. 12). Jethro had not been there when the LORD had done these miraculous works for the Israelites, but he was changed just by hearing about them. As evidence of the change in Jethro's life, he advised Moses with a word of wisdom that would change how Moses taught, governed and judged the children of Israel in the wilderness (v. 13-27). Jethro had told Moses: "Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you..." (v. 19). Jethro's changed life had great impact on Moses and the people of God. As we read last week, a future generation of Jethro would also aid in the deliverance of the Israelites from the enemy general, Sisera. This is the far-reaching purpose of "the Jethro effect".

     In another reading portion from this Sabbath, the prophet Isaiah experiences the Lord in a miraculous way: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) temple...And one (seraph [fiery] angel) cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isa. 6:1-3).

     Isaiah's life was changed as a result of what he saw. He cried: "Woe is me, for I am undone (dama - cause to cease, perish, destroy, be cut off at the sight of the theophany [a visible manifestation of God to humankind])! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) King, the LORD of hosts." (v. 5). At this cry of Isaiah, one of the seraphim angels brought a live coal (rispa,resep - hot, glowing stone or coal, spark, flame, fire bolt, hot thunderbolt) from the heavenly altar in the temple, and touched it to Isaiah's lips, saying: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged." (v. 6-7).

     A question was then asked in heaven: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" To this, Isaiah answered: "Here am I! Send me." (v. 8). Isaiah was then given a prophetic word to be brought to the people of God: "Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return/convert (sub - turn back (to God), turn back (from evil), repent, be restored) and be healed." (v. 9-10, see also 2 Chron. 7:14). This spiritual blindness and deafness would continue until a time of waste and desolation in the land with the exception of a remnant, or tree stump, having the holy seed (v. 11-12, see also Rom. 11:16-18). Some may think that this prophetic word was fulfilled by the period of Babylonian Captivity, but Jesus, and later His apostles, were still preaching this prophecy given to Isaiah centuries after the return from the Captivity (see Mt. 13:13-16, Mt. 18:1-5, Acts 28:24-27). We may be able to say that this "Jethro effect" on Isaiah's life would institute a powerful prophecy that would set the stage for the Gospel being not only for the Jewish people, but because of the presence of this temporary spiritual blindness, to the Gentiles also (see Rom. 1:16-17, Rom. 11:7-8 Rom. 11:25-27,). It is, in part, because of this prophecy of Isaiah that salvation was allowed to come to every nation, tribe, kindred and tongue.

     In another reading portion from this Yitro Sabbath, we read about "the Jethro effect" occurring on a special occasion in Israel in Nehemiah 7:73 and Ch. 8: "When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities." (Neh. 7:73). The "seventh month" is the month of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. A portion of Israel, 42,360 (Neh. 7:66), had returned from their captivity in Babylon, and had been very focused on re-building the wall and their ruined cities. However, on the first day of the seventh month, all of the people had been gathered together "as one man" in Jerusalem in front of the Water Gate, which was used to bring living water into the temple, especially on the Feast of Tabernacles (see Jn. 7:37-40). Once assembled, Ezra the scribe brought the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Book of the Law (the Torah) before the assembly: "Then he read from it in the open square (rehob/rahab - open place, plaza/to be or grow wide or large, be enlarged, make room, broad pasture, the borders or extent of a kingdom) that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Law." (Neh. 8:1-3). We can understand that this was a holy root or stump spoken of in Isaiah's prophecy, a small remnant (yitro/Jethro) of Israel, meeting in a place that symbolized, by the meaning of the Hebrew word, an enlargement or widening pasture for many more people to come. These congregated people were not the blind, deaf, and unperceiving people of the Isaiah prophecy. Ezra made sure to have teachers stationed among the congregation who would explain the Law to the people as it was read so that they would understand (v. 7-8). When the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of the law were heard, the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people wept (v. 9). A people who had been busy in each of their respective cities experienced "the Jethro effect" from the hearing of the words of the Law. Because it was the first day of the seventh month, a day of celebration, Ezra and Nehemiah encouraged the people not to weep, for "This day is holy to the LORD your God." (v. 9). However, later in the month, on the twenty-fourth day, those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from the foreigners in their midst, fasted and confessed their sins, and worshipped the LORD their God (Neh. 9:1-2). "The Jethro effect" set up a prophetic picture of all who would later come into the Kingdom of God, all who would become sheep in that enlarged pasture of the Lord.

     We can't leave this topic before looking at one more event. In Ex. chapters 19 through 20 from this week's Yitro/Jethro reading portion, the LORD put on a display of His power and presence never before seen in scripture. The LORD came down to the top of Mt. Sinai (meaning "thorny", one of the three principal summits in the Sinai range) to give His law to His people. This event came exactly three months to the day (Ex. 19:1-2) after His people witnessed the terrible night of the death of the first born in Egypt, and the miracle deliverance from this death by the blood of the Passover Lamb. After that event, they then experienced the miracle crossing through the Dead Sea as the waters of the Sea were heaped up into huge walls so they could pass through, that then closed up again to drown Pharaoh's pursuing army. Now, three months later, they were encamped at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the mountain of the LORD. The people began to witness a powerful display.  The LORD wanted Moses to deliver the Word of the LORD to His people: "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought (bo - to come in, enter, go in, to be brought in, to attain, enter into [one's body], of a bride: to enter into the house of a husband, of a man: to enter unto a woman) you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) 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. 19:4-6, see also 1 Pet. 2:9-10). Many view this as a formal marriage covenant between God and His people, and the meaning of the Hebrew word, bo, used above, supports this view. Moses delivered this message to the people, and the people answered together in agreement (v. 7-8). "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 a sound of a trumpet was very loud, so that all the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people who were in the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 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. And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long, and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. (v. 16-19).

     Although this moment at the foot of the mountain of God was frightening in its intensity, if I had witnessed it, it would have brought this question to my mind: "Is anything impossible for this God? NO!"  This should have brought forth "the Jethro effect" in the people of God, but sadly, this was not the case. At witnessing this amazing sight, God's people said to Moses: "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Ex. 20:18-19). Moses assured them not to be afraid, but the people from that day forward, challenged Moses and Aaron, and tested and rebelled against God on many occasions. They even worshipped a calf made from their gold jewelry that they had demanded be created. They demanded to go back to Egypt. They doubted God and His prophet Moses at every challenge that was set before them. The opportunity for "the Jethro effect" was missed by the people.

     The LORD reveals Himself to us on so many occasions throughout our lives, almost daily in what He calls "our daily bread", looking for "the Jethro effect" to take place in us, to change us. When God's people are willing to be changed by "the Jethro effect", it is an earth-shaking, and earth-changing event, as we have seen in this Sabbath reading. It is a terrible shame upon us when we disregard the blessed daily visitations of God to each of us and therefore refuse to be changed by them. We become like those who are blind, deaf, and unperceiving, of which Isaiah prophesied. Life should not go on as it normally does after these miraculous encounters with our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord is looking for "the Jethro effect" in our lives. Second Cor. 3:18 says: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (metamorphoo - to change into another form, to transform, transfigure) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

     If you would like to know more about how God looks for change in each of us, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, in Your mercy, grace, and love, You visit me daily in some way. I ask You to give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand how these visitations are to change me. Your Word says that I am changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. I pray that I would never miss any opportunity to display "the Jethro effect" in my life. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

     

Yitro

This week's sabbath Torah reading from Exodus chapters 16-20 is titled Yitro/Yeter/Yatar, or "Jethro", and means "his abundance, rope, tent cord used to fasten tent curtains to stakes, exceeds measure or limit,remainder, excellence/remnant, more, other part, cord/to preserve alive, left over, excess". When we envision a tent as a dwelling, although the tent cord is outside the structure of the tent, it is essential in securing the tent walls to the stakes in the ground. The tent cords "exceed the structural limit" of the physical tent. Sometimes we limit whom we think are the designated people of God, however, God may have different ideas. When Moses fled Egypt after killing a cruel slave overseer, he found refuge in the tent of Jethro, as well as marriage to one of Jethro's daughters. They became part of one another's families through the covenant of marriage. Jethro was Moses' father-in-law, or hatan in Hebrew, which has an interesting meaning: "law, mariages, join in affinity, to contract affinity by marriage, bride's father, joined together by a common bond, to provide a nuptial feast, circumcision, place of circumcision, a word used for the festival of circumcision that was applied to that of a marriage also". We see this same mysterious connection between marriage and spiritual circumcision as Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "...For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (1 Cor. 7:12=14). With this kind of sanctification within marriage-circumcision, Paul urged spouses who were believers not to divorce unbelieving spouses. In these current times, we have lost a great deal of Godly knowledge concerning marriage, haven't we? In a previous sabbath reading portion, we read: "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God." (Ex. 3:1). Jethro's flock was not an ordinary flock. It was an "aleph-tav" flock in the written Hebrew. Jesus identified Himself as the Aleph-Tav, or the Alpha and Omega in Greek, four times in the Book of Revelation. Moses brought this aleph-tav flock of Jethro's to the mountain of God. Not only was this the aleph-tav flock, but they were brought to "the back of the desert" or ahar, meaning the "afterwards of time, to be after". This flock was brought to the mountain of God at a later time. As believers in Christ, we also became connected to the household of God "afterwards in time" through Jesus Christ. The Gospel of salvation is to the Jew first (proton - first in time, place, order or importance in any succession of things or persons), and also (kai - then, and, too, cumulative) the Greek (see Rom. 1:16). I believe that the aleph-tav flock of Jethro, who was not a Hebrew, prophesied of the Gentile flock who would come to a later knowledge of God through Christ. Jesus spoke of being the Shepherd of sheep in other folds of which his disciples were unaware: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd." (Jn. 10:16). Yitro, or Jethro, was from Midian, and not a Hebrew. However, as a "tent cord", he was connected to "the tent" of Israel as a necessary part. Later, in the Book of Judges, Ja-el, the wife in a family from the same tribe as Jethro, would kill with a tent peg or tent stake the general of an oppressive enemy army which had taken control over Israel. (Judges 4:17-21). This tribe of Jethro's, and later Ja-el's, the Kenites, were descendants of Cain, the son of Adam who killed his own brother Abel, yet Jethro and Ja=el were chosen by God to play a role in two different types of exodus from oppression of the Israelites. From this sabbath's reading in Ex. 18, Jethro had heard the reports of what the LORD had done for the Israelites, even bringing them out of Egypt, and went to seek out Moses where the Israelites hd camped in the wilderness at the base of the mountain of God to ask him about it (Ex. 18:1, 5). Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to deliver His people, and Jethro rejoiced, blessed the LORD, worshipped the LORD with a burnt offering and sacrifices (before the Law was given), and declared: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them." Then Aaron and the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law (see hatan above) before God (Ex. 18:9-12). They had communion together, a covenant meal. Jethro would also give Moses wise advice concerning the judging, or the settling of disputes, among the population of hundreds of thousands of Israelites (Ex. 18:13-23). Jethro's advice to Moses forms the basis for how governments are able to administrate even today. From a previous sabbath reading, we discovered that Jethro's other name in scripture was Reuel (Ex. 2:18), meaning "friend of God". There is a scripture describing a friend who sticks closer than a (blood) brother (Prov. 18:24). This was Jethro also. God called Abraham His friend too (2 Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:8, James 2:23). This kind of friendship has a special place in the heart of God. Believe it or not, Jethro had a third name! This name was Hobab/habab/haba, meaning "cherish, love fervently, to hide as in the bosom/breathe upon as being close to/to hide, secretly held) mentioned in Judges 4:11 and Num. 10:29-32. With his three names, Jethro brings to my mind the Trinity of Father (Abundance, Exceeds measure or limit, Excellence) , Son (Beloved, cherished and hidden), and Holy Spirit (Friend and Comforter). In Num. 10:29-32, Moses begs his father-in-law to travel with the Israelites through the wilderness "...that thou mayest be to us instead of eyes...And it shall be, if you go with us - indeed it shall be - that whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you." Jethro became an essential part of the exodus, a Greek-Latin word meaning "the way or road out of". We can't always assume that we know all of the friends of God that are deeply loved, and kept hidden in His bosom. Jesus said, "...he who is not against us is on our side" (Mk. 9:38-41). I am convinced that God still has these seemingly unlikely cherished friends whom He keeps close to Him, hidden in His bosom, and unrecognized by us. We see this again in other portions of this sabbath's readings. Isaiah had a vision of the Lord in His heavenly temple. He saw and heard the seraphim (sarap - fiery, burning, poisonous serpents, to burn up, kindled, utterly, to cause to burn, to absorb with fire) angels crying to each other: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isa. 6:1-3). The glory of the LORD is not confined to His tent/tabernacle/temple in Isaiah's vision, but it has exceeded those limits (see the meaning of Yitro/Jethro above) to include the whole earth. Considering the meaning and description of these angels, above, I'm not going to argue with them! In another sabbath portion, the LORD calls to Jacob, or Israel, and his descendants to be brought back from all directions, and adds: "Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." He calls out "the blind people who have eyes", and "the deaf who have ears", and let all nations be gathered together...let them hear and say, 'It is truth.'". (Isa. 43:5-9). The word "everyone" is used in these verses. It is the Hebrew word kol/kalal, and means "everything, all, whole, whosoever, whatsoever, totality, any number, as many as, all the earth, the whole flock/made perfect, to complete, to crown, nuptials, crowning of a bride". Believers in Christ should be able to see themselves clearly in the meaning of "everyone" used here. In the last portion of this sabbath's reading that we will look at here, there is a revival of the Word of God among the Israelites who returned from Babylonian captivity. The people, gathered together as one man, asked Ezra the priest and scribe to read the Book of the Law of Moses to them. The assembly was described as the men and women, "and all who could hear with understanding...who could understand" (Neh. 8:1-3). The people were assembled in front of the Water Gate. The Water Gate and its nearby tower, located on the eastern side of Jerusalem, were believed to have been added later to the original footprint of the walls of the city. The Gate's purpose was to not only bring more water into Jerusalem, but to provide water from the Gihon (Gihon/giah - bursting forth/come forth, bring forth, like a child brought forth from the womb) River to the outlying population - to those beyond the limit of the original walls of the city. As we have seen in this sabbath reading, Jethro and others, named and unnamed, have a special place in the heart and plan of God for His people, and play an important role in their exodus, meaning "the way or road out of" Egypt and other oppressive situations. There are "friends of God" still, I am convinced, who play a role in the plans of God, until "the whole earth is filled with His glory". They may appear to dwell outside the tent of God's people, but as "tent cords", they are also part of the dwelling that continues to stand against the winds and the rains. The LORD gave a wonderful prophecy to Isaiah for the barren woman who has no children: "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand/break forth to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited." (Isa. 54:2-3). If you would like to understand more about these "other sheep", as Jesus called them, which also includes ourselves, you can pray with me: "Father, You have cherished friends hidden in Your bosom whom You have called to serve Your will, and to be a benefit to Your people. They may appear to me to be beyond the limit of Your dwelling, but Your dwelling exceeds all limits. You have told me to lengthen my tent cords, and to enlarge the place of my tent. Teach me Your Word, not by my own understanding and perception, nor by tradition, but by the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, who guides me in all of Your truth. Let me join in Your call to "everyone" to be brought back to Your dwelling place. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN." **There is a free ebook now available that was written by a well-respected author on the subject of the fascinating Shroud of Turin titled: "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary". You can get this free ebook by going to www.TheShroudofTurin.org/freebook.**

Exodus

The sabbath reading for this week begins the Book of Exodus for us. We have finished the Book of Genesis, which is B'reshiet in Hebrew, and "The Beginning" in English, and we discovered several important "beginnings" in it. The word Exodus traces its roots back to Greek and Latin, and means "the road or way out of". As we go through the readings in this second book of the Torah, we will be looking for how the LORD is revealing to us "the road or way out of". This sabbath reading is titled Sh'mot, or "names", and is what the Jewish people call this second Book of the Bible in Hebrew. This week's reading is from Exodus Chapters 1-4, as well as portions from the prophets. As the Book of Exodus opens, the Hebrew people's presence in Egypt had numbered under one hundred, including Jacob/Israel, his sons, and their children. "But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty (like a firebrand that stirs the burning coals to increase a fire); and the land was filled with them." (Ex. 1:7). The new king, or Pharaoh, and his court were "in dread" of the children of Israel, even after imposing hard bondage and bitterness upon them to try and stop their increasing numbers, which did not succeed (v. 8-14). The king feared that if an enemy tried to come against Egypt, the Hebrews would join with the enemy from their location inside Egypt. Pharaoh, the most powerful king on earth at this time, feared man, and the plans of men, and especially feared these foreigners who had never done Egypt harm, but good. Then Pharaoh had another idea since the hard labor imposed upon the Israelites had not reduced their numbers as hoped. He brought the Hebrew midwives before him and commanded them to kill all the male children that were born in their service to the Hebrew women (v. 15). In the Hebrew writing, the boy children of these verses is related to an untranslated "aleph-tav", or "Alpha and Omega" in the Greek, the name of Christ, the Messiah, in Rev. 1:8, 11, 21:6, and 22:13. The Lord had/has placed His Messianic name upon these children of Israel. This is another key to exodus, "the way or rod out of": "...for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12). It is no coincidence that we now see a determined effort to kill children in our era as well. "But the midwives (yalad - beget, born, delivered, to cause or help to bring forth, declare pedigrees, to be created, to declare one's self to be born/pedigree) feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive...Therefore God dealt well with the midwives (that He provided households for them, or gave them families), and the people multiplied and grew very mighty..." (v. 17-21, excerpt). Pharaoh feared what man might do, but these women, who had been called into the presence of the most powerful king in the world, and had been given a direct command from him, feared God rather than man. The names of the midwives were Shiph'rah (supra/sipra/sapar - fair, brightness, beauty, adorn, most splendid, like the heavens that are made to be brightness by the Spirit of God, cleanness, to glisten) and Pu'ah (pua - splendid, to glitter, brilliancy). The names of the midwives are associated with the beauty, brightness and brilliance of the heavens as made by the Spirit of God (see Dan. 12:3). There is an interesting reference in Job: "By His Spirit He adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent." (Job 26:13). The meanings of the names of these midwives are very significant, and have particularly special meaning to believers in Christ. Back to our story in Exodus: Pharaoh, not being satisfied with the non-efforts of the midwives on his behalf "...commanded all his people, saying, 'Every son who is born (yillod/yalad-see above) you shall cast into the river (ye'or - almost exclusively used to mean The Nile River in Egypt), and every daughter you shall save alive." (v. 22). The Nile River, referred to only as the River in the Old Testament, is the longest river in the world at over 4,000 miles long. It also played a major role in the ancient Egyptian pagan religion. It was considered to be the river way to be taken from life to death and to the afterlife beyond. God has a different and true "way out of", however. The Nile was also called "the Father of Life" and the "Mother of all men" by the Egyptians. The ancient Egyptian "Book of the Dead" was used to supposedly guide a soul through death. This is not the exodus or "way or road out of" bondage and death provided by our God, however. Our LORD God is the author of The Book of Life, or Sefer HaChaim, for He is the God of the living, and not the dead (Rev. 3:5, 20:12, Phil. 4:3, Lk. 20:37-38). Our God IS life, and He is living (Deut. 5:26) according to His Name, as we will read later. It is His desire to show us exodus- the true way out of bondage and death, and into life in Him. Roads not only lead out of somewhere, but into somewhere as well. The LORD would later prophesy against the nation of Egypt using their all-important river, the Nile (see Isa. 19:3, 5-15). It is amazing to know that the same river that Pharaoh meant for mass genocide, became, instead, the source from which a "deliverer" of God's people would be drawn, Moses. So far we have learned that "the way or road out of" (exodus) slavery in Egypt begins with the fear of the LORD, rather than the plans of men, even the most powerful of men, even of Godly men (see also Job 40:6-14). In order to save her son, when the mother of baby Moses could no longer hide him, she placed him in an ark of bullrushes sealed with asphalt and pitch and laid the child in the reeds of the Nile River (Ex. 2:1-3). Eventually, the ark was seen in the reeds by the Pharaoh's daughter, who had gone to the river to bathe. When she opened the ark, the baby cried, and she had compassion upon him, and claimed him as her own, and raised him: "So she called his name Moses (mose/masa - draw, to pull out, to save, to preserve) saying, 'Because I drew him out of the water'." (v. 10). Because of Pharaoh's daughter, we can also say that Moses was pulled out of death and into life. This is also a prophetic picture of what God would do for the Israelites, and what He still does for us. It is interesting to learn more about Pharaoh's daughter at this point. Although she is unnamed in this section of Exodus, the historian Josephus recorded that her Egyptian name was Thermouthis, meaning "first mother". She would probably have been named after the half-snake, half-woman goddess, Isis-Thermouthis. The Hebrews credit her with inadvertently being responsible for the redemption of Israel because she saved the baby Moses from the river. She was embraced and "adopted" by the Hebrews and given a new name, Bithia or Bityah, which means "daughter of God (YAH)". She is recorded again as Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, in 1 Chron. 4:17-18, listed as part of the tribe of Judah. Outside of scripture, rabbis in the Midrash include Bithia, the daughter of Pharaoh, in the list of special converts to faith in God who entered Paradise while still alive. Along "the way or road out of", as we saw with the Hebrew midwives who shine like the heavens, God places those who divinely facilitate the way out for others by their obedience to Him. This is the meaning at the root of "Zion" (siyun - waymark, sign, monument, signpost, conspicuous guiding pillar), to be a waymarker or guiding pillar along the route of exodus, and to the City of David. This also should ring awareness "bells" for those who follow Christ. As a man, Moses was forced out of Egypt by death-threats from Pharoah, because Moses had delivered a Hebrew out of the hands of an Egyptian oppressor. While Moses was in exile, he met a man named Jethro, or Reu'el ("friend of God", pasture, shepherd, friend, brother, companion, special friend of God), a priest of the Midians, after having delivered Jethro's seven daughters out of the hands of abusive shepherds (Ex. 2:15-19). Moses was content to dwell with Jethro, and married one of Jethro's daughters, Zipporah (v. 20-21). While Moses was tending to Jethro's (aleph-tav) flocks, he led the (aleph-tav) flocks to the back of the desert, to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God (Ex. 3:1). Again, a name will have special meaning regarding exodus, "the way or road out of". Jethro (yeter/yatar) means "a cord, rope, string, remnant, other part, reserved, preserved, save over, preserve alive, excellence". As we saw previously, Reu'el/Jethro is a special friend or companion of God according to his name. We know that Abraham previously had this same kind of relationship with God (2 Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:8, James 2:23). There is another group in scripture who were/are called the friends of the Lord. These are the followers of Jesus: "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." (Jn. 15:14-15, see also Gen. 18:17-19). Moses took the (aleph-tav) flocks of Jethro to the backside of the desert. "Backside" is the word ahar, meaning "afterwards, besides, following after, defer, delay". The believers in Christ came after the Israelites in natural time, but Paul taught us that we were foreknown by God and completed (Rom. 8:28-30). As it is written in scripture about David and the prophet Jeremiah, God knows us before we are physically formed and born (Ps. 139:15-16, Jer. 1:5). It is amazing to know this about our "beginnings". We are here now, but we were also there, in spirit, then! Let's finish our story of Moses for this week. Moses took the (aleph-tav) flock of Jethro to Mt. Horeb (a lower summit of Mt. Sinai, meaning desolate, destroyed, destroyer, decayed, slay, smite down, kill). According to the meaning of the word, this place is associated with death, destruction, decay, and hopeless desolation. However, it is about to become a place of a miraculous sign of deliverance and life, and where God will reveal His saving name: "And the Angel of the LORD appeared to (Moses) in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So (Moses) looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed." (Ex. 3:2). When Moses turned to see this great sight, the LORD called to him, "Moses, Moses!" The LORD said: "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look upon God (v. 4-6). God said that He had seen the oppression of His people in Egypt, and heard their cries because of their taskmasters (nagas - oppressor, ruler, king, tyrant, exert pressure, harass, driver, tyrannize). The flames and fire that appeared from the middle of the bush were likened in Hebrew to the gleam on the tip of a spear, or a sharply polished blade of a sword. The Hebrew also includes the idea of the fiery wrath of God in this burning flame. This burning was a sign of war from God against the oppressive tyranny over His people. The bush that appeared to be burning was sene in Hebrew - a thorn bush. For Abraham in Genesis, the thorn bush held a ram for sacrifice. Here in Exodus, regarding the oppression of His people, the thorn bush contained the fire of the wrath and sword of God (see also Isa. 27:1). Then God said to Moses: "I have come down (yarad - descended, sink down, to be prostrated, brought down) to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey..." (v. 7-8, see also Eph. 4:8-10)). Not only would the exodus way bring God's people out of Egypt, but it would also bring His people into a good and large land flowing with milk and honey. The fire that burned (ba'ar) was kindled by the "dull-hearted, stupid, brutish, and barbarous", according to the Hebrew meaning of the word. At this time, Moses was commanded by God to return to Egypt to confront Pharaoh, and bring about the delivery of God's people, with the help of, and by the judgments of God. Moses was very reluctant, but God said to him: "I will certainly be with you..". (Ex. 3:12). A sign to Moses that God would do this was the promise from God that after the people have been brought out of Egypt, they will serve God on the very mountain where Moses was now standing, Horeb/Sinai. The message Moses was to give to Pharaoh from God was: "...'Thus says the LORD: Israel is My son, My firstborn...Let My son go..." (Ex. 4:22-23). Moses asked what God's name was in order to tell the Israelites if they asked. "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM' (haya/hava - was, has been, become, to be, exist, abide, continue, to be finished/to be, to breathe, breath). And God said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent (salah - let loose, send, stretch out, shoot forth, be impelled) me to you.' Moreover God said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.' (Ex. 3:13-15). That name of God given here is written with the four Hebrew letters Yod, Hey, Vaw, Hey. These individual pictographic letters carry the meaning, "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". This is the name of the Deliverer of Israel Who "comes down". There is only one exodus, and one Name, that is the "way or road out of' bondage to spiritual tyrants, rulers and death. Jesus said: "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Jn. 14:6). It is also written: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His own flesh..." (Heb. 10:19-20). The exodus is not by the power of an earthly ruler, nor by the power of any man, nor pagan religion, but by the Way that the LORD has made for us. As we continue our sabbath readings in the Book of Exodus, we will see more of that Way out of death, and into life. If you would like to know more and walk in the Way of exodus, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, and Great I AM, You have provided Your people with a Way out of bondage and death, and into Your promise of life. I can see the identity of Your Son throughout the Way, and I want to remain faithful to follow and remain on this road that You have made for me through the body of Your Son, Your firstborn Son. You are our Deliverer Who sees our bondage, and hears our cries, and comes down. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can learn more about the Way that You have made for me. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Abundance

Sometimes, we read the Word of God, even experience His great miracles and deliverance, but we can still lack understanding. The Word and Person of God are not understood by the flesh, but by the Spirit. Scripture says that the things of the spirit can only be understood by the help of Holy Spirit: "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God...no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God...But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things...we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2:9-16). We cannot even know all of the things that God has freely given to us, according to the above verses, unless the Holy Spirit reveals them to us. About this, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:5). We can't find the kingdom of God with the best GPS in the world, unless it is revealed to us by His Spirit. Jesus again said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn. 4:24). We cannot even truly worship God except by spirit, because He is Spirit. The Sabbath readings for this week have more clearly illustrated to me the lack we suffer as the people of God when we try to comprehend Him without the help of the Spirit of God. This week's reading begins in Ex. 18. Moses received a visit from his father-in law, Jethro. Based upon outward appearances, we might not see the significance of Jethro, but the Sabbath readings are named for him: Yitro, meaning "his abundance, tent cord, that which exceeds measure or limit, eminence, remainder, to save over, to preserve alive". Jethro was a Midianite (meaning brawling, strife, discord). The Midianites were often connected to the tribes of Ishmael. Moses met Jethro when he was running away from Egypt as a young man. He married Jethro's daughter, and had two sons with her. When Jethro came to Moses, the people of Israel were encamped at the mountain of God. Jethro had brought Moses' wife and sons with him. Moses' greeting of Jethro is described: "So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him..." (Ex. 18:7). This man meant a great deal to Moses. Moses told his father-in-law all that God had done to bring them out of Egypt. "Then Jethro rejoiced 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...Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they (Egypt/the gods) behaved proudly, He was above them." (v. 9-11). From Jethro's statements we can see that he rejoiced at the greatness of God that delivered Moses and Israel from the Egyptians. He may not have been a worshipper of the God of the Hebrews before that moment, but now he knew and understood: "Now I know...". In this same moment, what did the children of Israel "know" about Him? Even though they knew that God's miracles had brought them out "on the wings of eagles" to bring them to Himself (Ex. 19:4), and knew that He miraculously fed them, and gave them water, they spent every waking hour, from morning until evening, bringing their problems, disagreements and contentions to Moses to decide them. Jethro discovered God by the Spirit, but the people were still hopelessly mired in their own understanding. Jethro, whose natural cultural background meant brawling, strife and discord, only had to hear Moses' account to understand by the Spirit what God had done. The people of God, on the other hand, who had actually experienced Him, had failed to discern Him by the Spirit, and had descended into unending disagreements with each other. Jethro then gave his son-in-law wise advice on how to handle the many disagreements. Instead of standing before the people to settle their disagreements, Moses should delegate that to other "men of truth". Moses was to stand before God instead on behalf of the people, teach the people the statutes of God and show them the way to walk, and the work they must do, so they could learn for themselves. In another place in scripture, Num. 10:29, Jethro is referred to by the name Raguel, which means "friend of God". By the Spirit, Jethro had entered into the "abundance" and understanding of the free things of God given to us. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, which is from Isaiah 6, we see a tragic fate for a people of God who do not know Him by the Spirit, and therefore, do not know Him at all. Isaiah received a vision in the year King Uzziah of Judah died. The death of this king, I think, played a major role as an example before God's people. King Uzziah had started out being a good and godly king, but he became ruled by pride, and tried to burn incense at the altar of incense in the temple. This he was not allowed to do. Only consecrated (sanctified, set apart) priests were to burn the incense that represented the prayers of the people before God, which were considered holy by Him. The altar of incense also represents His Son, Jesus, who lives to make prayers of intercession for us before His Father. Immediately, Uzziah was struck with leprosy, and had to live the rest of his life separately. We can say that Uzziah knew of God, but didn't know Him by the Spirit. In any case, Isaiah in this vision saw the Lord in His heavenly temple. As the seraphim (fiery, burning) angels glorified Him, the pillars of the door shook, and smoke filled the heavenly temple. Isaiah immediately became aware of his own sin, and the sin of the people, and thought he was about to die being in this holy Presence. The fiery angel brought a burning coal to touch Isaiah's lips, saying, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged." (Isa. 6:7). As he heard the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send for Us?", Isaiah answered, "Here I am! Send me." However, what he was about to be sent to do would be a very difficult task. Isaiah is known to us as one of the greatest prophets in scripture. He had profound and wonderful revelations from God regarding the Messiah to come, and many other glorious things of God. However, even as the prophet would faithfully record the prophetic Word he received, he did so knowing that the people of God to whom he was prophesying would not understand them. Like their king, their pride made them want to know God only by their natural understanding, rather than by the Spirit. The Lord told Isaiah at the time of this vision: "Go, and tell this people: "Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive." Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed." (v. 9-10). We have been called to have the mind of Christ. We have been called to walk in the Spirit, and know God by the Spirit, and to receive from Him all the things which He desires to freely give to us by His Spirit. Jethro, or Yitro, understood more in a moment by the Spirit, than the children of Israel would understand in forty years of experiencing God in the wilderness. When the world is using their natural understanding to face the confusing and dangerous events of this time, and not coming closer to either solutions or God, we are called to be Jethros, who speak wisdom and clarity by the Spirit of God. May we never let pride in our own understanding, quench the Spirit of God. It is better to walk an inch with God in the Spirit, than a mile in our own understanding. Overflowing abundance that exceeds measure or limit is found only by the Spirit of God. If you would like to receive the Lord, who is Spirit, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, I want to know You and worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Your Son, Jesus, allows me to be born of water, and the Spirit, so I can know You. Jesus has cleansed me of my iniquity, and purged me of sin by His sacrifice for me. I believe that He rose from the dead for me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, who teaches and leads me in all things concerning You. Let me be directed always and in all ways by Your Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I ask and receive these things from You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen."