Category: Discussions

Categories
Discussions Torah

Exodus 27:20–30:10: When suffering is a ‘soothing aroma before the LORD’

Israel Tabernacle of burnt offering

Some think the sacrifices detailed in the Torah reading תצוה Tetzevah (“you shall command,” Exodus 27:20–30:10) are simply to appease an angry God. But when you read about the Tabernacle and the sacrifices in the Prophets section of the Bible, you see there’s a lot more here than just butchery and blood.

These were not the sacrifices surrounding pagan nations of the time performed. The purpose of these sacrifices do not mirror the sacrifices of the pagan nations. The foundation of the Torah points to the Messiah. We have the benefit of hindsight to see that.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Exodus 18:1–20:23: Like Father, like Son

Jethro Advising Moses" by Jan van Bronchorst
Jan van Bronchorst, "Jethro Advising Moses," Painting, Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Public domain (U.S.) via Wikimedia Commons, 1659.

At Mt. Sinai, the Creator testified what “love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength” really means. In the Torah reading יתרו Yitro (Genesis 18:1-20:23), we explore how Heaven gives us different tasks and different means to fulfill those duties.Heaven gives us different tasks and different means to fulfill those duties. These are not only money but also talents.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Exodus 13:17–17:16: If God is with us, who can be against us?

"The Israelites Crossing the Red Sea" by Circle of Juan de la Corte
Circle of Juan de la Corte (1580-1663), "The Israelites Crossing the Red Sea," Oil on canvas, Fundacion Banco Santander, Wikimedia Commons / Google Art Project, Public domain (U.S.), 1630-1660.

The questions ancient Yisra’el asked after the Exodus from Mitzraim are similar to what we often ask ourselves today: Is God with us or not? Are we really free? Where are we going? How will we get our “daily bread”? Where will we find “living water”? That’s the focus of the Torah reading Beshalach (“when he sent”), covering Exodus 13:17-17:16.

Categories
Discussions Passover Torah

Exodus 10:1–13:16: Make me unleavened

"The Angel of Death and the First Passover"
Charles Foster, ed., "The Angel of Death and the First Passover," "Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us," Drawing, Public domain (U.S.), W.A Foster: Philadelphia, 1897.

When we observe the commandments of God, we are like the flatbread: nothing added, nothing taken out. In this discussion on the Torah reading Bo (“come,” Exodus 10:1-13:16), we learn are not to add to God’s commandments and we are not to treat any traditions we keep on the same level as God’s commandments. Matzot gives you life but it also give you some affliction and difficulty. God’s mitzvot are the same, they give us life but they also bring some difficulty to life.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Exodus 6:2–9:35: Name dropping the first seven plagues on Mitzraim

"The Seventh Plague" by John Martin
John Martin (1789–1854), "The Seventh Plague," Oil on canvas, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Public domain (U.S.), 1823

The Torah passage Va’era (“I appeared,” Exodus 6:2–9:35) covers the first seven plagues on Mitzraim and the revealing of the Name of the LORD. Elohim’s dealing through Moshe with the pharaoh of Mitzraim to let Yisra’el out of bondage explains Elohim’s plan to save the world from its bondage to the fantasy of self-sufficiency without the Life-giver and Life-sustainer. It’s a preview of the final seven plagues of Revelation 15–16.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Moshe foreshadows Mashiakh the Deliverer (Exodus 1:1–6:1)

"The Finding of Moses" by Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin, "The Finding of Moses," Oil on canvas, National Gallery, London, Web Gallery of Art , Public domain (U.S.), 1651.

We don’t know for sure which pharaoh helped raise Moshe or which pharaoh Moses confronted to free the ancient Israelis from slavery. What we can see from Torah reading Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1) is Heaven’s pattern for the Mashiakh Who delivers all from the bondage of living apart from the Creator.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 37:1–40:23: All Yosef’s life’s indeed a stage for Mashiakh

The account of Yosef seems larger than life as it is: His coat of many colors. His dreams of greatness over his older brothers and even his parents. His being sold by those brothers into slavery in Mitsraim, then rising from prison to vice president of the mighty ancient empire that built the pyramids. But that’s for a later discussion. This time, Hallel Fellowship teacher Daniel explores a messianic play in the Torah reading Vayeshev, which means “he settled” and covers Genesis 37-40. Yosef was playing the role of Mashiakh consistently through his life. His father, Ya’akov, played God the Father. Older brother Yehudah played the leadership of the people of Yisrael, and brother Ruben also has a prophetic role. There are also two different “harlots” in this story. One is righteous — Tamar — and one is evil — Potiphar’s wife. Through it all, we see that God is the one in control of all things, not Yehudah. Mashiakh hadn’t yet become flesh, yet we read all about Him in Yosef’s life.