Bo (Come) Exodus/Sh’mot 10:1-13:16
Bo(Come)Exodus/Sh’mot 10:1-13:16
Today we study what may be the most important Torah portion of the year. In the very first verse we read where G-d told Moshe to, “Come” to Pharaoh. Here Moshe was to relate to Pharaoh G-d’s final three plagues, locust, darkness and death of the first born. Sh’mot 10:1 reads, “And the L-rd said to Moshe, Come to Pharaoh.” In all other times G-d told Moshe to go to Pharaoh. Why was the word “come” used here? I believe this gives all of us an important clues to the character of the Father. G-d was telling Moshe that no matter what we face G-d will be with us. He will already be there before us. Our faith should be strengthened by the use of this small word in this verse.
Bo (Come) Ex. (Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
Torah Portion: Bo (Come) Ex. (Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
This week we read the culmination of the plagues and the instructions for the ritual of Passover. I have a few things to share with you today. All of which should give us a deeper understanding of G-d’s will and plan for our daily life.
I would like to begin by mentioning something we have talked about before but is also something we need to hear again, especially in our world today. In almost all English translations of the Hebrew scriptures, the word translated in the opening sentence of this Torah portion of Bo is go. It could be more easily translated as come. Today in Israel you hear this word used often by mothers or fathers when they call their children to come to them. Every time it is used to tell the child to come to them or to come to where they are waiting for them.
Bo(Come) Exodus(Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
Torah Portion: Bo(Come) Exodus(Sh’mot) 10:1-13:16
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Tonight, we come to the climax of G-d’s hand freeing the people from their four hundred years in Egypt. I want to mention the opening word of this portion which is “Bo.” Translated into English it is Go. However, this is a Hebrew word that has as its most prominent meaning “Come.” When looked at in this light we can just hear G-d saying to Moshe, “Come into Pharaoh.” G-d was assuring Moshe that He, G-d, was already there before him. He was not to fear Pharaoh or what he might threaten to do, for G-d was with Moshe. I pray we each can hold on to this truth in our own life. No matter what lies before us G-d is already there waiting for us to rest in Him.
Sh’mot Exodus 6-9 Va’era (And I Appeared)
Torah Portion: Sh’mot Exodus 6-9 Va’era (I Appeared)
HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Again there is much to talk about tonight. In this Torah portion we read about the first seven of the ten plagues G-d brought upon Egypt. We read about Pharaoh’s reaction to the slow destruction of his country and we always come back to “why” did he not recognize against whom he battled? What does this say to us in our life as well? What do we do when facing G-d’s will for our lives? Sometimes we battle against G-d when we think we are in charge instead of Him.
Va’era (And I Appeared) Sh’mot 6-9
Torah Portion: Va’era (And I Appeared)(Sh’mot) Exodus 6:2-9:35
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Tonight we read seven of the ten plagues that G-d brought upon the Egyptians and Pharaoh. We also read, at the beginning of the portion, the introduction of His name to Moshe and the Jewish people. I want us to spend some time on this but first I would like to look at a few other points that I think speak to us in our world today.
Bo (Come) Exodus (Sh’mot) 10-13
Torah Portion: Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16
HafTorah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Tonight we read of the last three plagues on Egypt and the beginning of Israel’s freedom. I would like us to talk about at least two of the last three plagues.
I also want to remind us of the purpose of these plagues as stated in scripture. The purpose: “In order that they will know I am G-d.” This purpose applied to both Egypt and Israel. Israel was about to start a whole new relationship with G-d. In some ways this would be a revolution for them, a new vision, a new walk. Revolution is one of those interesting words in English. It can mean to start a whole new life as a people or as a person. It can also mean to go around 360 degrees, which puts us right back where we started. What determines which meaning applies? A 360 degree turn might happen when one is resistant to change. Pharaoh is a good example of that. He was addicted to the status quo, even when it was destructive to both him and his people.
Va’era (I appeared) Exodus 6-6:35
Torah Portion: Va’era (I appeared) Exodus 6:2-9:35
HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
This week we see Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh to demand he let the people go. As the verses progress we read of the increasing severity of the plagues yet Pharaoh does not relent.
If you remember last week in Exodus 5:2 we read where Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh the first time and Pharaoh says, “Who is the L-rd? I do not know the L-rd.” In this verse Pharaoh uses the Holy name of G-d, so apparently he had never heard of this name and so there was no reason to obey the command of the G-d who he had no knowledge.
Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16
Torah Portion: Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16
HafTorah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
New Testament: Luke 2:22-24; John 19:31-37; Acts 13:16-17; Revelations 8:6-9:12; 1-21
I would like us to cover a few things from this Torah section. The first being the issue of the new moon and the first month found in Exodus 12:2. This is the first commandment given to Israel as a people. Why do you think G-d chose this to be the first thing to relate to Israel and what can it teach us?
Ve’era Exodus 6
Torah Portion: Ve’era Exodus 6:2-9:35
HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Romans 9:14-33
I want us to begin by looking at the idea of Pharaoh’s free will or lack of, and the impact it had on his life. I also want us to look at Moses and how he dealt differently than Pharaoh with this introduction to Adonai.
Let us start with clarifying the purpose of the plagues. What was the purpose? Look at Exodus 7:2-5. The purpose was to introduce G-d to Pharaoh and the people of Egypt. Then in Exodus 9:14-16 another purpose was to introduce G-d to the entire world.
Bo (Come)
Weekly Torah Section: Bo (Come) Exodus 10:1-13:16, Jeremiah 46:13-28
Let’s start tonight by looking at Jeremiah and then spend some time on the Torah section. First, the Bible tells us that Jeremiah was commissioned as a prophet in the 13th year of King Josiah. This would be in the early half of the 600’s and apparently Jeremiah was young at the time (Jeremiah 1:6) He continued as a prophet for the next 40 years. This King Josiah is the same king we read about last week who died at the battle with the Egyptians at Megiddo. Jeremiah lived through the conquest of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar but unlike Ezekiel, was allowed to remain in Israel. Our section tonight deals with his words about Judah’s continued reliance on Egypt for protection. In fact, my first question deals with one of these verses: Jeremiah 46:17. King Jehoakim trusted in Egypt to deliver him from Babylon. How did that work out for him? It says in this verse that Egypt had no power but rather was just a big noise. Who is our Deliverer? G-d Almighty. All else is clashing cymbals – just noise compared to G-d. He ends in this section with words of comfort to Judah and Israel. They will return to G-d’s promise and rest in peace. We do not have to worry and tremble before the things of this world. G-d is our defender and shield.