Thought on the Torah Portion... by Sarah

Shalom everyone!  This is Sarah and I hope that you all had a good week and are enjoying Shabbat now.  The name of this week's Torah portion is: Va'era... וארא... meaning "I Appeared". This portion can be found in Exodus 6:2-9:35; Ezekiel 28:25-29:21; and Matthew 12:1-14.

When I agreed to my "big siblings" plan of writing something about the Torah portion, I had no idea that my turn would fall on this portion.  Why did this have to be the one I have to write about? There is so much in this portion and I know that I will not be able to give it full justice, but I will try my best.

Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 is a very exciting portion, it's the history of the first Passover.  It talks about the genealogy of Moses and Aaron and how YHWH commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and to tell him to let His people go.  You read about Moses doubting himself and YHWH telling him to have Aaron speak for him, Aaron's rod turning into a snake and then the 10 plagues.

Here are a couple things that stood out to me as I read over that section. 

First, all throughout that portion it is all about YHWH saying, "I will do this" and "I will do that", "For I  have commanded you".  It was all about YHWH telling Moses and Aaron what to do.  There was never a record of YHWH saying (in that portion), "Hey Moses, I am having a hard time thinking of another plague to put on the Egyptians, do you have any ideas?"  No, YHWH was the one that made everything happen. YHWH is in control of you and me just as He was with Moses and Aaron, so I pray that we may hear His voice clearly and let Him work through us just as Moses and Aaron let Him work though Him.

Second, whenever I read this portion it has always been interesting to me how YHWH would harden Pharaoh's heart after each plague.  Why did He not just turn the water into blood and call it good? It reminds me of the portion in Psalms that we read at Passover time, "It would have been enough". It does not say that Pharaoh hardened his heart, it says that YHWH hardened his heart, so it would have been enough ... BUT!!! YHWH wanted to show the people His signs and wonders (Exodus 7:3).  YHWH is awesome!  Look around you, look outside ...  YHWH is amazing.

I know that there is SO much more that we can glean and learn from that story, but I've got to go so please read it through yourself and find out YHWH's wonders for yourself.

Shabbat Shalom... have a wonderful week and YHWH bless you.  ~Sarah

Thoughts on the Torah Portion...By Tommy

Shalom Y'all,

It is my pleasure to write to you this week. I hope and pray that you all are doing well. The name of this week's Torah portion is Shemot, meaning "names" and is found in: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 and Luke 5:12-39.

In Exodus we read about Moses being born and then it covers 80 years of his life up until the time that YHVH tells him to go back to Egypt to lead a thriving yet enslaved nation to freedom in the Promised Land - Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel). In Isaiah we read about a prophesy of what is going to happen in the end and a warning to us, those who may not be Jewish, but through the blood of Yeshua our Messiah we are now part of Israel (AKA Ephraimites. See Ephesians 2:12-13). And in Luke we read about Yeshua performing miracles and having different discussions with the Pharisees.

That is about all of the background that I'm gonna give you, I hope that each and everyone of you all will read it for yourself. However I will share a couple things that stood out to me in this Torah portion. So here I go ...

The first thing that stood out to me was how much we can see a picture of Yeshua in Moses. I mean, in his very birth, you can see it ... he had to be hid so that Pharaoh would not kill him. There are so many more examples but I will let you do your home work and find them for yourself. Another thing that stood out to me was the two midwives and how YHVH took care of them even when the circumstances made it look like they were going to die if they did not obey Pharaoh. However YHVH made a way and not only did they not die, but the nation of Israel continued to grow. I have often wondered if I were in a place similar to that, what I'd do. After reading this account I don't think that I'd let any ruler make me do something against the will of YHVH, even if it meant death.

Those are a couple of the different things that YHVH pointed out to me in this portion, I pray that they bless you as they did me.

Shabbat Shalom, Tommy

Thoughts on the Torah Portion ... by Hannah

Shalom Y'all!

We've come up with an idea that we're going to try out ... some of us children are going to take turns sharing our thoughts about the weekly Torah, Haftarah and Brit Chadasha portions. It's my turn this week and I think Tommy will take a turn next week, so here goes ...

In the Torah (Genesis 47:28-50:26), we read about Israel (Jacob) and his death and in the Haftarah (1Kings 2:1-12), we read about King David just before his death. In Genesis 49:10, Israel prophesies that "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Part of this prophecy is fulfilled through David's kingship, as he is a descendant of Judah and of course it is also fulfilled in Yeshua - the King of kings, who was also a descendant of Judah. In the Brit Chadasha (Luke 4:31-5:11), we read about several of the many miracles that Yeshua performed - examples of the power that YHWH gave to Him ... and ultimately the Kingly authority that He held (and holds!).

I think the one verse that stood out to me more than any of the others, was when Joseph was speaking to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, and said; "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." It is very similar to Romans 8:28, where we read; "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

When the enemy tries to harm us (often using other people in the process), remember that YHWH will work it all out for the best. Sometimes we do not understand how difficult situations are working out of the best. In the story of Joseph, we get to see the end results. I'm sure that Joseph did not understand "the good" that YHWH was bringing to pass, throughout those years of being kidnapped, sold, falsely accused, imprisoned and forgotten ... but once it was all over, he could see YHWH's plans and purposes. May we always remember this in every difficult situation that we face and always "praise Him in the storm"!