Tag: Exodus 16

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Sacred cycles: Embracing God’s rhythms of rest and labor (Exodus 16; Isaiah 58; Mark 2)

Digital painting generated by ChatGPT in a palette-knife, impasto style, inspired by Edvard Munch’s The Scream. The artwork is a two-panel diptych. In the left panel, an ancient Israeli woman stands in an empty field at sunset, clutching an empty basket, her hands on her cheeks in a silent cry. In the right panel, a similar woman is shown in a dark interior room with the same anguished expression, a clay oil lamp before her containing only an unlit cotton wick. Between the panels is a centered text overlay reading, "Sacred cycles: Embracing God’s rhythms of rest and labor (Exodus 16; Isaiah 58; Mark 2)." A small Hallel.info logo watermark appears in the lower right corner of the image.

The Sabbath isn’t just a command but an invitation to rest, delight and trust in God’s provision. We looked at the Bible account of manna, the parable of the 10 virgins, and teachings on tithing. Preparation, mercy and justice matter to God. Consistent spiritual nourishment and honest relationship with God are more important than just following rules and turn those instructions into touchpoints for transformation. Ultimately, resting in Him is key — not just once a week, but as a way of living in trust every day.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

From manna to Messiah: Why we still grumble about God’s goodness (Exodus 15–16; John 6; Revelation 2)

An impasto-style digital oil painting by ChatGPT is split vertically into two scenes. On the left, several brown quail stand and walk across sandy ground under a textured blue sky. On the right, snow-like white manna pellets cover the golden desert floor, with the same thick, palette-knife sky above. Across the upper portion of the image is a text overlay that reads: “From manna to Messiah: Why we still grumble about God’s goodness (Exodus 15–16; John 6; Revelation 2).” In the lower right corner is a small Hallel.info logo watermark.

Why did Israel grumble about Heaven’s mercy just days after the Red Sea miracle and deliverance from Egypt? Discover how the manna and quail of Exodus 16 expose the same heart-struggle we face today. When promises (especially, Israel’s presence in the Land and of the coming of the Messiah) seem delayed, “honest questions” can slide into “Did God really say…?” Bread, flesh and “hidden manna” from Exodus 15-16, John 6 and Revelation 2, revealing why the true Bread from Heaven is never an opiate from the world’s ills — but the only power that satisfies and fuels real justice.

Categories
Torah readings

Torah reading Beshalach (בשלח): Exodus 13:17–17:16

Studies in Torah

It took more to save Yisra’el from the House of Bondage than faith in lamb’s blood on the doorpost, as the Destroyer of the firstborn roamed the streets of Mitzraim during the first Passover. Then came being cornered at the Red Sea by a huge army and going into the desert without sufficient water or food. Discover the path of training in righteousness all believers in the LORD and His Passover (Yeshua the Lamb of God) must travel. It’s explained in this week’s Torah reading (בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach, “when he sent” or “after he had let go,” Exodus 13:17-17:16).

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Bondage-breaking power of the Bread from Heaven and Living Water (Exodus 15–17; John 6; 1Corinthians 10; Hebrews 3–4)

Bondage-breaking power of the Living Water (Exodus 17; Matthew 14; Mark 6) and the Bread From Heaven (Exodus 16; John 6).

When we look at the Torah reading בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach (“when he sent” or “after he had let go,” Ex. 13:17–17:16), we need to ask ourselves five big questions: Is God with us? Are we really free? Where are we going? How will we get our “daily bread”? Where will we find “living water”?

And via a number of parallel passages in the Prophets, Writings and Apostolic Scriptures, we learn that the answer to all those questions is Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Don’t leave your heart in Egypt: Faith to move forward to freedom (Exodus 17; 1Corinthians 10)

Don't leave your heart in Egypt: Faith to move forward to freedom (Exodus 17; 1Corinthians 10)

1Corinthians 10 was the apostle Paul’s midrash on Israel’s history, detailing how division arose among the children of Israel during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

In the Torah reading בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach (“when he sent,” Ex. 13:17–17:16), we see that it didn’t take Israel very long to forget all of the miracles that God had rendered on their behalf for their freedom and struck out in anger against Moses and Aaron. These lessons can teach us how to trust our Deliverer, Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ) and follow Him to true rest for our restless souls.

Categories
Discussions Torah

God, why does this keep happening to me? Mercy in the test retake (Exodus 13:17–17:16)

God, why does this keep happening to me? Mercy in the test retake (Exodus 13:17-17:16)

Why do the same challenges or problems keep hitting us again and again? Among the lessons from the Torah reading בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach (“when he sent,” Exodus 13:17-17:16) is that ancient Israel kept getting and kept failing faith tests in the journey out of the house of bondage in Mitzraim (Egypt) and toward Sinai and the Promised Land.

While repeated testing suggests more maturity is needed as an heir of the Kingdom, it’s also part of the name (reputation) of the Holy One (Exodus 34:6-7)

God is being kind to you — showing favor and mercy — by allowing you to retake the test. Rather than being mad at God for a repeat of a test, we should be grateful for another opportunity to improve.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Knowing when to speak and when to remain silent is wisdom (Exodus 13:17–17:15)

Impudent speech causes more problems than it solves. Ancient Israel, as they were delivered from the “house of bondage” in Egypt and moved towards Sinai, grumbled about their living conditions and their food, causing Moses a lot of stress and bringing God’s judgment on them.

In the 21st century, social media has made it easier to say things to a wide audience that we should keep to ourselves. The Torah reading (בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach, “when he sent,” Ex. 13:17-17:16) provides us practical tips on what things are wise to share and what things should be kept to ourselves or only spoken of with God alone in prayer.