Shemot: Redemption - between blessing and curse
Shalom dear friends,
This week, we begin reading the Book of Exodus, which is all about exile, Divine presence, miracles & wonders, and redemption. Exodus describes the harsh enslavement, and the Ten Plagues of Egypt through which God demonstrates His power. It reports the hurried escape from Egypt, and the long journey in the wilderness that shapes the identity of the People of Israel. It also tells how Israel receives the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Then at the end of the book, Israel manages to build a ‘home’ for God.
The Exodus from Egypt shaped the consciousness of the People of Israel more than any other event mentioned in the Scriptures. In fact, the Exodus shaped the entire Bible, and is referenced to more than any other event, throughout the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and the New Testament.
Reading the Scriptures from a historical point of view, helps us to better understand why the Exodus from Egypt is such a significant event in the Scriptures (in complete contrast to other exiles). The reason is, that the Exodus (or actually: the Redemption) from Egypt, is a prototype and a framework for the redemption of the world, which is fulfilled through Yeshua the Messiah.
Both the redemption of Israel (from Egypt), and the redemption of the world (through Yeshua) – share similar elements, which includes the ‘Passover lamb’ versus the ‘Lamb of God’, and the blood on the doorposts that separated the homes of the redeemed from the passing Angel of Death versus the blood of Messiah that separates us from sin and death, and grants us eternal life. Additionally, both redemptions carry the element of release from slavery versus sin.
Moreover, the fact that Yeshua the Messiah was crucified on the eve of Passover, as the Passover sacrifice, directly connects the crucifixion to the Exodus from Egypt: “For Messiah, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
The memory of slavery in Egypt has truly helped shape and establish Biblical morality, and many commandments are linked to, or derived from the experience of the Egyptian slavery, such as the Shabbat, treatment of workers, fairness in the workplace, the pursuit of justice, helping the weak of society, and caring for widows and orphans.
The Shabbat is mentioned at the beginning of Genesis; and yet, in light of the Exodus, and the story of slavery, this day of rest takes on additional significance: “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15)
The Book of Exodus portrays painful slavery and oppression. And yet, amidst the pain, death, and decrees, we see many rays of light, starting with the midwives who disobeyed Pharaoh, and Pharaoh’s daughter who bravely performs a great act of kindness by saving Moses. Furthermore, we witness the birth of the People of Israel, which is the most important outcome of the Egyptian exile.
At first, things were good for Jacob and his sons. They received the ‘blessing of Abraham, which led to success. The tribes of Israel flourished and multiplied until the land was filled with them.
Yet, then a new Pharaoh arises (Exodus 1:8). The text doesn’t say that Israel sinned, or did anything wrong. Instead, we understand that it’s the mere shift to a new Pharaoh that results in a deterioration from blessing to curse for the Israelites. What just happened there?
When we read between the lines - and it isn’t difficult to do so after 3500 years of history - we recognize a recurring pattern. This has happened so many times throughout history. In every country and place where the descendants of Abraham and Jacob settle, things initially go well. Everyone benefits from the blessing. But then things start going too well. The surrounding society begins to look enviously at the growing success of the Israelites. In other words, the blessing is temporary, until the surrounding environment covets their wealth and tries to seize it by force.
This is precisely what happened in Egypt, as soon as the new Pharaoh rose to power. It was in the best interest of this new ruler to appease his people. What is the most sensitive issue that troubles the average citizen, no matter when and where? That issue would be our economy, and the cost of living.
Even in Israel today, we grumble about the economic situation and the cost of living. This issue isn’t unique to Israel, although it may feel more acute here, due to the ongoing war which has led to even more inflation as our VAT rose since January 1st. Similarly, citizens of the USA, Asia and Europe are dissatisfied with the economy and sigh about their growing financial burdens.
The ancient Egyptians weren’t any different. They also grumbled, and looked enviously at the Israelites - the descendants of Jacob - and thought to themselves: “Why do these immigrants have so much, and they do so at our expense, and that of our children?”
The Egyptians made the excuse that the Israelites had become a national security threat. They claimed that, in the event of a war, the Israelites might rise from within, and assist the enemy. This accusation simply wasn’t true. During long periods of exile throughout history, ancient leaders and kings often chose Jewish advisors for several reasons. Firstly, Jews were typically literate and multilingual, which allowed them to easily communicate with advisors from other nations. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Jews were scattered around the globe, which caused them to live as foreigners without ties to the throne. This meant, that it was unlikely for Jews to try and overthrow the government or assassinate a leader, since they couldn’t inherit the throne themselves, anyways.
This point is critical, as history is filled with instances of leaders being murdered or murdering others (such as leaders from the popular opposition) due to power struggles, and in order to secure their own rule.
The Egyptians, however, did not admit to the real reason for their hostility, which was their envy of the possessions of the Israelites. And yet, the first action the Egyptians took did reveal their true drive: they imposed taskmasters who burdened the Israelites with additional taxes. Essentially, this was an economic attack, which unveils that the real root of the Egyptian ‘fear’ was their economic concerns.
Similar to Egypt, the first step taken by the representatives of the Inquisition, was to confiscate the property of the Jews who were under investigation. And so, the economic incentive was added to the religious zeal of the Inquisition investigators. When the church treasury needed replenishing, new launch arrest campaigns were added to confiscate assets, treasures, and money of those who were suspected of being Jewish.
Similarly to the Inquisition's tactics, the Pharaoh also sought to fill Egypt’s treasury, and used the easy and available solution of seizing the property of the Israelites. How was that done? By accusing the Israelites of being a national security threat. Somewhat bitter, perhaps; but blessing intertwined with sorrow is an integral part of the history of the Jewish People.
How can a blessing be intertwined with sorrow?
This happens during exile, when the Jewish People achieve ‘a little too much success’. The locals react by saying: “Wait a minute... Why do they have so much, that should be mine?!”
That’s when they come to take from us, by harming and harassing, until they expel us. And so, the Jewish people wander from place to place, while reading the prophecies of redemption with pain and hope, dreaming of their return to Zion. Whispering with parched lips and heavy accents: "Next year in Jerusalem."
And today?
Today, we are privileged to witness the fulfillment of the prophecies of the return to Zion, and the revival of the Hebrew language. Today, we have the honor of walking the streets of Jerusalem, and carrying an open Bible, written with the same sacred Hebrew letters that were used in the ancient Scriptures, while declaring - with a trembling voice and tears streaming down our cheeks: “Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!” (Psalms 122:2)
Please join us in prayer for:
Roeh Israel, our kehilla
- Please keep lifting up Joseph and Marcia health in your prayers, as well as Zvi and Batsheva’s health struggles.
Pray for Yehudit’s hand, thyroid, risky-high calcium levels, and the right care giver.
Please intercede for a breakthrough in Aharon’s life and his openness towards our Heavenly Father.
Jai travels for another 10 days.
Lift up Miriam who struggles to walk, and suffers from mental decline.
- Our women were pampered by Yujin and her team of amazing South Korean sisters, as they blessed us with a truly amazing evening that included a workshop to learn how to make Kimbap (Korean Sushi), after we had a traditional Hanbok-dress photoshoot on our roof…
What an amazing and experience of creativity and quality time! We are so grateful for such loving friendships!
- Last Shabbat, our children were blessed with a special teddy bear that plays 40 Messianic songs and stories. The bear is meant as a comforting buddy for the kids as they endure such a long ongoing war. Parents are grateful and report how the kids are blessed, as they carry their bear wherever they go...
Netivyah Staff
- We started yet another week with worship and prayer with our staff and volunteers. It helps us to focus and look Up to our heavenly Father.
- Our team is blessed with amazing volunteers who really help strengthen us, in this second year of war. It’s such a blessing for us to have them be a vital part of our daily workflow.
- Pray for health for Nir, as well as for Sam. And lift up Tess who is nearing their first baby’s birth, and her grandfather who just had a heart attack.
Hamotzi
We have opened our Hamotzi doors!
We’re so excited to see the families who are sent our way by the Social Services.
Very understandably, the new families are still a bit shy to receive help.
We cannot wait to get to know them a bit better. Such a blessing and excitement for our staff and volunteers to serve with joy.
Truly a humbling project!
Hostage deal
Pray for our people, as the hostage deal seems to really come closer. For wisdom for our leaders, the families and for the terms of the deal.
Tremendous loss
Monday we were shocked to hear of the unimaginable loss of a Messianic soldier, Aviel Wiseman (20), son of Mordechai and Meira. Aviel was killed in a building collapse during the fighting in Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza), along with 4 of his friends.
Our hearts go out to Aviel’s brothers and sisters, as well as to Grandpa Elhanan and Grandma Nechama. Please join us in prayer for God’s great comfort, as we can only imagine their pain.
Aviel made the ultimate sacrifice for Israel, and is a true hero. May his memory be for a blessing.
Shabbat shalom,
Yehuda and Lydia Bachana
Netivyah and the Roeh Israel congregation
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