Gateway To Freedom

In our study of the Torah, the patterns, shadows, and types give understanding so that we might encourage each other, understand the ways of YHVH and discern their instructions for our day as brought to light by the Holy Spirit. As we consider the parallels between the story of Exodus and our day under the blood covenant of our Messiah, it becomes more and more clear that our "redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28) This study reveals the enemies' tactics and YHVH's ways in preparing His called out ones.

Shemot - Names

Exodus 1:1-6:1

Haftorah

Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23

B'rit Chadashah

Acts 7:17–35

Hebrews 11:23–27

John 8:58

Introduction:

Last week we concluded our parashah for the book of Genesis or Beresheit, meaning "beginnings." This week we begin the book of Exodus as it is called in Greek (the Septuagint) – meaning the "departure." And yet, the Hebrew name of the book is Shemot – meaning "names" - (staying consistent with the opening words of the book) denoting who came down into Egypt. While the Greek name may seem to us to be more thematic to the described activities, it misses the primary purpose of the story and can take our eyes off the book's fundamental purpose to show us; God's redemption/deliverance of His people and the revelation of Himself to the entire world.

In our study of the Torah, the patterns, shadows, and types give understanding so that we might encourage each other, understand the ways of YHVH and discern their instructions for our day as brought to light by the Holy Spirit.The book of Exodus is the story of redemption as we transition from YHVH's patriarchal covenants to Him making covenant with a people who would form a nation (kingdom) under YHVH's kingship. Israel would quickly come into the saving grace of the shed blood (of the lamb), and enjoin themselves in obedience to YHVH's covenant Torah (laws and instructions) to be reconciled to Him in fellowship. He then covered them with the Shekinah glory of His presence (cloud/fire). Likewise, today's believer must be reconciled to YHVH by having faith in the eternal blood sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua and walk "the way" of righteousness.

As we consider the parallels between the story of Exodus and our day under the blood covenant of our Messiah, let us recognize the metaphors in the beginning chapters:

 

Shemot                                          Metaphor

Egypt                                   the place of captivity before deliverance

Pharaoh                               Satan , he who opposes YHVH and His people

Pharaoh's magicians              demonic spirits serving Pharaoh's purposes

Moses                                  Yeshua, the Deliverer from sin and death in His first advent

As we more fully associate this story to the events of our day, it becomes more and more clear that our "redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

Study:

Let's begin with a little history before the meat of today's parashah. Have you ever pondered the passage, "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." (Exodus 1:8) The Egyptians were a people of deep conviction and gratitude to those who insured their dynasty rule. In reflecting upon this passage it seemed peculiar that such a people would not honor the contribution and covenants that were made with Joseph and Israel. That would be like the Mayflower Pilgrims rebelling against the Wampanoag Indians who helped them survive at Plymouth Rock (Be awake, I'm going somewhere with this.)

History records that the control of upper Egypt remained in the family of this covenant making dynasty for more than 100 years before being overthrown by an Asiatic clan called the Hyksos whom Josephus describes as "barbarous invaders." The foreign Hyksos reigned for 3 dynasties (15-17th) until they were overthrown by Amosis and the land returned to Egyptian rule. Hatshepsut, the daughter of Thutmose II, was most likely the queen (princess) who found Moses in the water. She had a co-regency with her son, Thutmose III, ruling as de facto ruler while Thutmose III was a boy. Upon gaining manhood, Thutmose III took control. He is the only Pharaoh of this period to have a rule extending more than 40 years, and therefore fits as the Pharaoh of the oppression, who died while Moses was in Midian (Ex. 2:15, 23). (Source: Torah Resource)

What's the point? Or, more specifically what was Satan's strategy for destruction of Israel's seed and what was YHVH's strategy for redemption? Let's plot the sequence, noting the parallels to our day.

1. A new conquering dynasty/rulership did not honor the covenants of the land and "demonized" and enslaved the Israelites through Egypt's fear of their power.

Ex 1:8 – 12 The new king who "knew not Joseph" plotted to destroy YHVH's people by enslaving them to the government. But, YHVH blessed the Israelites in that they were (as the Hebrew implies) a "swarm" throughout the land that threatened Pharaoh's rule.

Have you taken note of the many "demonizing" and minimizing statements being spoken by legislators and government officials of the danger of the Christian conservative population that opposes government controls of their children and their lives?

2. Rigorously increase the oppression – kill off the old and infirmed.

Ex 1:13 - 14 So the king put more and more burdens upon God's chosen nation to break down their bodies, but they still thrived. The greatest mortality impact of undue physical burden is upon the old and infirmed.

What limitations of medical coverage are we beginning to see put on those who are old or of highest risk if there is no honoring of God's commandments in this country? With a failing economy and rising food prices many of the elderly will be even more financially burdened as the cost of mandated Medicare goes from $96.40/mo in 2011 to $247/mo in 2014!

3. Solicit the healthcare professionals to kill the seed of righteousness.

Ex 15:15-21 So then Pharaoh targeted the growth rate through pure genocide by charging the healthcare providers, the midwives, to kill the male babies. But, out of the fear of God, they wouldn't carry out Pharaoh's orders. What happened? YHVH blessed the midwives with families of their own.

Hitler and his Nazis murdered approximately 6 million Jews. From 1973 to 2005, Americans have murdered about 49.6 million preborn babies. At the current rate in excess of 2.0 million/yr, by the end of 2010 we will have had the blood of approximately 56 million babies upon our land - that's nearly 10 times the number of Jews murdered by the Nazis! This is the American Holocaust and Satan's attack on the righteous seed which YHVH has called out of the nations through His only begotten son, Yeshua. Think about it. What was missing from the Egypt scenario? What is missing in the courts of our nation? It is the knowledge and the fear of God!

Ex 1:22 Then, Pharaoh charged ALL the people to kill the righteous seed at birth.

4. Charge and empower everyone to kill the righteous seed.

Did you know that 624 catholic hospitals account for over 15% of all U.S. hospital admissions – which mostly exclude the abortion statistics? Of course the broad language under Obama's healthcare initiatives will place the finances of these institutions in jeopardy with no protection clause that protect doctors, hospitals and medical professions who don't want to be involved in abortions. (Source: USSCB.org, Lifenews.org) [From the shadow of the midwives, I suspect that they will thrive in YHVH's blessing.]

Exo 2:23,24 The king of Egypt died: the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

5. Israel cries out ("their cry" = unity of voice) and God remembers his covenant.

YHVH is a covenant keeping God, who attends to his chosen people. However, let us not neglect the sequence here. God's people had to acknowledge, repent and cry out to him in a singleness of voice against the ruling oppressors – an awakening. Now then, let's see what happens next.

6. God personally reveals Himself in a new way to His chosen (deliver, then peoples).

Ex 3:1-22 Before this revelation, Elohim had been known to the Semites (descendants of Shem) by many names, such as El, Eliun, or Elohim, all of which basically mean, "Lofty, Exalted One". He was also known as El Shaddai, meaning "Strong, Powerful', implying that He was/is "More Than Enough" to meet every need of man. The other name the Elohim of Israel was known as, was YHVH, which means "Alone Existent", Creator, not created. However this name was one that was not commonly used or fully understood.

Moses was instructed to speak of Elohim as YHVH, Who by His own authority had chosen this epithet, from among those others by which He was known, as His proper Name. We can understand that this whole burning bush experience was a change from a high and lofty God to a God of intimacy and glory. Did he not attract Moses by His Shekinah Glory in the bush and then offer forth His Name – a relational offer far nearer and more intimate than just His character names. [I often wonder if some brethren's refusal to use the name – even though out of respect - isn't a rejection of that offered intimacy.]

7. The Shekinah glory of God brings His savior(s) into a new intimacy and relationship.

And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. (Obadiah 1:21)

Note: As application to our time I have implied saviors as we are the reflection of Yeshua and commanded to forgive others their sin to set them free. (See Vayigash,)

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:21-23)

8. Ex 3:15-22 YHVH tells Moses what is about to happen, promising difficulty but final victory.

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
(Amos 3:7)

Ex 4:1 -17 YHVH empowers and commissions him to go. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. (Exodus 4:17)

9. Empowered (rod) and signs will be given to convince the elect first and then the heathen alike.

Moses was told by YHVH to go to the elders of Israel in Egypt, and promise them two things: (1) that they would be brought out of the land of affliction, and (2) they would be settled in a good land, one "flowing with milk and honey."

10. A mark of the covenant was (will be) placed upon the "sons of God."

Ex 4:22-26 Many interpretations can come out of the ambiguity of our translation here, but let us note that YHVH is talking about the firstborn's covenant sign in these passages. So when YHVH "met him" wasn't he going to kill Moses or rather his firstborn because Moses had disrespected His Father's commandment and not circumcised his firstborn? Zipporah remedied the transgression by circumcising her firstborn son.

And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. (Genesis 17:14)

And so it was repeated:

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4)

And so shall it be again:

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelation 7:3)

And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. (Revelation 9:4)

Ex 5:1- 6:1 Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land (Ex 6:1).

Moses had received encouragements from YHVH, but his temperament was exposed (again) and he impulsively challenged God's management of Israel's deliverance. "...wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou has sent me? For since I have come to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he has done evil to this people..." (Exodus 5:22-23). Moses would learn faith and patience as had his forefather, Abraham. Israel's deliverance was just behind the "birth pangs" that had discouraged the Hebrews and confused Moses. This is a message to the church of Yeshua today. Behind the pangs of the soul cleansing and emptying of oneself for their service to God, is the time for the promise to come forth.

Moses would soon see the Eternal One's salvation. "Now shalt thou see..." However, because of another, later exhibition of unrestrained temper and careless words [See Numbers 20:11-12] Moses would end up not witnessing YHVH's later salvation, when He would lead the Israelites out of the Wilderness to conquer Canaan and establish them in the land of Israel.

YHVH knows how to temper a man or woman – you and me. For what does it say about Moses' faith in the all time faithful listing? Hebrews 11:23–27 repeatedly counts Moses' as a man of great faith. So shall we be when the fire of affliction is done molding us.

Moses was about to see:

1. that all power on earth and in heaven belongs to Elohim

2. that Pharaoh was not invincible nor to be feared

3. the terror of YHVH's anger as it burned against the abusers of His chosen ones

4. the end of Israel's poverty and suffering

5. a mighty redemption, complete with signs and wonders, that would inspire people throughout history. This is how Moses was alerted the Exodus was about to commence.

Yeshua said, regarding the days before His return,

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars...famines and earthquakes, but all these are merely the beginning of birth pangs" (Mt. 24:6-8).

In Israel's history we saw that the light of redemption arose usually following a period of intensified suffering and darkness. And yet, even in their sufferings, the called (Israel) and righteous (midwives) were blessed. The oppression of the people of Israel increased while they awaited their deliverance from Egypt, and even Moses became alarmed. Yeshua forewarns and prepares the people of our day not to be discouraged by the hardships that will intensify upon the earth, for they:

(1) declare the nearness and
(2) prepare the way for the advent of the Messiah and His Kingdom.

In America today, He is again removing the people of Israel from the Egypt of the world system and unbiblical religion by imparting revolutionary revelation to the Ecclesia. He is bringing the people of Judah to Messiah, the modern church to the Torah and their Hebrew roots, and He is bringing both houses to the fullness of the Spirit. At the same time a "calling out" of the Bride is occurring.  Yet, many are losing faith and only seeing the approach of oppression and their freedoms threatened.

Many conservatives think the battles over abortion rights, school prayer, traditional marriage, encroaching socialism, and the public posting of the Ten Commandments are as good as lost. They are not! We must stir up our faith and follow the "way" which Messiah Yeshua has led us in mercy and truth. We are in for a greater outpouring! (Bless the Land)

.. there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jude 1:18-23)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

Shabbat Shalom,
      Randy

File: shemot rds3 2012