Shemot- Names or Exodus
We are beginning a new book Shemot and from now on all the books of the Torah are the continuation of Bereshit. They all begin with the conjunction ו vav or and which continues the story. The role of book of Exodus is very important because it is going to define Israel. Bereshit talks about the creation and the beginning of the people and now we see in Exodus, the development of Kahal Israel. God is sending us a message; it is a holistic message that we are touched by God's Presence and his Word. This a different way of looking at God's word, compared to the Gentile approach. I am drawing you more into the paradigm shift of seeing God's word in the Hebraic sense. One of the greatest problems we have today is that we have enthroned man and dethroned God in every area. It's like the teenager who thinks that he's smarter than his parents. It is like this with Israel. The nation is born, and then goes from being a toddler to a teenager trying to mature. We will read in this book the many failures of Israel.
We need to understand the book of Shemot in its right perspective. For example, how could it be written, that the Israelites were in exile over 400 years when in actuality Shemot states that it was only 215 years. This is the problem when interpreting Scriptures outside its Hebrew context. They're not looking to give definite facts, they are painting a picture. This is very different mentality. Scripture is not always logical; neither is it chronological neither is it always numerically accurate. We have to stop trying to fit Scripture into our personal framework of understanding.
The fact that Israel exists is a miracle. Israel was created from the nations so, whether we like it or not, Israel represents us all. It is G-d's job to choose people, both individuals and nations. He works through the individual for the betterment of the nations. We saw that in the case of Moses leading to that of the Messiah Yeshua. The Scriptures are circular; G-d shows us a picture which is repeated over and over again with greater revelation. We see this in the book of Yochanan, circular... No beginning, no end. This is the Hebraic style of writing—circular; the Greek or Gentile way is linear—a beginning and an ending.
The theme of today’s message is the leadership of Moses and his life. This is described more fully in “Moses as the Leader of Israel” in our section “Rabbi's Writings”. There are many parallels between the life of Moses and the Messiah. According to the Midrashim, our sages say that Moses had a miraculous birth. At that time, the midwives, Shifra and Puah were told by Pharaoh to kill all the young Jewish boys at birth. It was written that for this very reason, his parents were separated or divorced so that they would not have any more children. They write, however, during that period time of separation, a miracle took place—somehow they came together for one last time and she got pregnant. From the Jewish perspective this is very similar to how Miriam got pregnant with Yeshua. God always used ordinary things such as a woman giving birth to make his miracles.
Another interesting point here is that Moses was placed in a “teva”. The only other place that we find the usage of this word “teva” is in the story of Noah, where it means ark. Noah, the Savior of the world at the time saved humanity from the waters of the flood. Moses, the Savior of Israel was saved in a teva out of the waters of the Nile. These two pictures point to Messiah becoming the Savior of the world, when he came out of the waters of mikveh with Yochanan the Immerser. Yeshua didn't go through this ceremony out of a need be baptized or cleansed for his sin; he said he was doing it in order to fulfill righteousness (in the Hebrew understanding the word righteousness can be seen as fulfillment) . To be able to understand what he was doing, we need to know the Hebrew background— he was coming out of the waters to fulfill the circular picture painted by Moses and Noah.
In the same way when the Scripture speaks about the dove that descended upon him, it is not a literal dove or the Holy Spirit as it has been interpreted to mean. The word dove in Hebrew is Yonah, but it also means, messenger. Continuing on the same theme of painting a picture, we see G-d sending us a messenger with a very special role, that of Messiah or Saviour.
Many people say that the name Moshe was Egyptian but I believe that it is Hebrew coming from the root as Mashiach, Messiah or Saviour.
There are many lessons to learn from Moses who was a reluctant leader. How many times does he say, send someone else, I can't speak. When G-d calls you, you won’t be able to hide from Him. Many people also think that when you're called by G-d to serve, you don't need to study; he will teach you from the air. Moses was taught in the highest schools of education in Egypt. He also never forgot where he came from or felt ashamed to be a Hebrew. I hope that teaches you to never be ashamed of being a believer in the God of Israel.
All through the book of Exodus we see parallels of Moses and Yeshua. Moses tried to defend his people. His people not only rejected him but tell him that it’s none of his business and they go to a foreign government to have him killed. In the case of Moses, he ran away but Yeshua stayed and was put to death.
Moses finally reached the point where he was able to identify with his people by being willing to give his life for them. There is no greater love than he who is willing to give his life for his friend. What is the lesson here? When we stop living for ourselves and start living for others. When we receive a calling like Moses, we need to ask ourselves if it is from G-d or from man. It doesn’t mean it will be easy but G-d will walk with us every step of the way. Moses began a new career at 80 years old. He needed to work with a people who were not happy to have him as a leader. He had to go to a powerful man, Pharaoh who was not too impressed with him. Pharaoh didn’t know Moses’ G-d. He came out of his meetings bruised and battered. He kept going back to G-d to complain...”.I didn’t want to do it. I am the laughing stock of everyone.” In the end Moses learns what it means to have communication with and total trust in G-d. When you are a reluctant follower, you will fail. Moses learned that lesson.
If you are called and are going through tests and trials, I recommend that you put yourself completely in the hands of G-d and trust that He will pull you through. We are surrounded by mighty angels and He will train you in order to use you to serve others.
May G-d add blessings to His Word