B’Shallach (Had Let the People Go) Exodus/Sh’mot 13:17-17:16
B’Shallach Exodus 13
Torah Portion: B’Shallach Exodus 13:17-17:16
HafTorah: Judges 4:4-5:31
New Testament: Luke 2:22-24; John 6:25-35; 19:31-37; 1Cor. 10:1-13; II Cor. 8:1-15; Revelations 15:1-4
In this weeks Torah section we see Israel enter a state much like a prior time in man’s history. What was it? It was the time of the Garden of Eden. Here in Sinai they did not have to work for their daily bread and G-d was constantly among them. They went through the redemption from slavery and entered, in some ways, a Garden of Eden. How can we compare this to our state spiritually? We too have been set free. G-d has said He is always with us and never leaves us. He provides us daily with our spiritual food. It is up to us to go and gather it but it is there for our gathering.
Boundaries Between Holy and Unholy – Veyetzei Gen 28 12/11
Torah Portion: Veyetzei Genesis 28:10-32:3
HafTorah: Hosea 12:13-14:10
John 1:19-51
Tonight I want us to look at the questions sent out earlier this week. Before we get to them I would like to look at Genesis 28:11 and especially at a couple of words of this passage in Hebrew. In English we read he came to a certain place. The word in Hebrew for “came to” is better read as encountered or touched. And the phrase in this verse, “certain place” can also be read as a reference to G-d who is “The place.” Given this we could read it as, “He encountered G-d.” This helps us understand the angels better as well. It gives us insight into the first of my two questions. I n John 1:51 we read of an encounter between Yeshua and Nathaniel and in Genesis 28:12 we read of the ladder set up with angels ascending and descending. What is the connection? What did Yeshua mean by His response to Nathaniel? Now to another word help. In Genesis 28:12 we read about the angels going up and down on it. Usually read as meaning “the ladder.” The word is translated as, “it” and is the Hebrew word that could be “he” or “him.” So, the angels could be seen as ascending and descending on him – “Jacob.” This could be how Yeshua saw it when He speaks to Nathaniel. Just as the angels ascended and descended on Jacob so they would Him. So now, the question becomes what did Yeshua mean about angels going up and coming down on Him? Where do we see angels connected with Yeshua? Luke 1:11 – foretelling His birth, Matthew 1:20 Joseph and Mary, Luke 2:13 – Shepherd’s, Matthew 2:13, 2:19 – Herod and Egypt, Mark 1:13 – the wilderness, Matthew 28:2 Resurrection, Acts 1:10 – ascent to heaven and Matthew 25:31 His future return.