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Discussions Torah

Sinai’s call: A journey of renewal and spiritual awakening through Messiah (Exodus 19–20)

The 10 Commandments, recorded in Torah reading יִתְרוֹ Yitro (Jethro; Exodus 18:1–20:23), stand as a divine testimony, revealing the eternal plan of the Holy One for humanity. In this study, we will see that understanding our identity, purpose, and ultimate goal unfolds as we traverse the journey of Passover, marking our passage from bondage to freedom.

Like the modern British Commonwealth, Israel embodies a unique entity, with her sons and daughters designated as priests, kings and prophets but most importantly, as sons and daughters of God. Amidst vacillations between fidelity and faltering, Israel’s distinction emanates from divine appointment.

Central to the sanctification that Heaven bestows through this promise — covenant — of adoption is Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). The essence of “new birth” intertwines Sinai’s instruction with the Spirit’s vitality, propelling us toward righteousness and intimate communion with the Holy One.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Yitro (יתרו): Exodus 18:1–20:23

Scripture likens people truly loyal to the Creator of Heaven and Earth to a bride. And the presentation of the Ten Commandments at Sinai is compared to the signing of a ketubah (wedding contract).

It’s not by coincidence there are a number of parallels between the events at Sinai recorded in this week’s Torah reading — יִתְרוֹ Yitro (Jethro), covering Exodus 18:1–20:23 — and the Jewish wedding ceremony. Marriage is about transparency, devotion and loyalty, and that’s the testimony of the LORD in the Ten Words of Exodus 20.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

How Heaven helps you soar above your past and present (Exodus 18–19)

The Ten Commandments are a testimony, a witness of the Holy One and Heaven’s plan for humanity on Earth now and l’olam v’ed (over the horizon and beyond, i.e., “forever and ever”).

But thankfully, in the orah reading יתרו Yitro (“Jethro,” Exodus 18:1–20:23) we learn how Heaven offers to free us from the things that have chained us to a life headed toward true death and introduce us personally to a way that leads to true life and peace — no matter what happened before or what’s going on now.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Jethro vs. Amalek: Humility vs. arrogance before God (Exodus 18–19)

God gave Moshe (Moses) a very wise and discerning father-in-law. Yitro (Jethro) was a blessing to Moshe all the days of his life. The Torah reading יתרו Yitro (Exodus 18:1–20:23) shows us how he saved Moshe from burnout. 

Yitro’s humble advice to Moshe resonates with all of us as he encourages us to not take more work than we can handle and to be willing ask for help from those in our lives who have been blessed by God with discernment and mercy.

Just as Moshe delegated the spirit of discernment on the elders of Israel, how much more would Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) delegate the Spirit of God to His students and those who do His work on Earth.

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Discussions Torah

New covenant = Sinai + Spirit (Exodus 18:1–20:22)

Rather than the Law and the Spirit of God being in opposition to each other and the latter usurping the former, as some teach, we will see in this study of the Torah passage Yitro (“Jethro,” Exodus 18:1–20:22) that we receive the “new birth” in Mashiakh Yeshua (Christ Jesus) via both Sinai and Spirit.

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Discussions Torah

10 Commandments primer for modern generations (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

How do we live by every word of the Torah? In this talk covering יתרו Yitro (Jethro) in Exodus 18:1–20:23, we are reminded that God is the God of actions, not merely abstract ideas. We live by the Torah when we practice it in our day to day lives just as a basketball player consciously practices his dribbles and his 3-point-shots for hours at a time. This summary of the 10 Commandments provides practical examples of how we can apply them in our daily interactions.

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Appointments With God Torah

Exodus 18–20: Ten Commandments reveal the heart of God

There is a Jewish tradition that when one reads the Ten Commandments, the congregation is supposed to stand, as those who were at Mt. Sinai were standing in attention as God revealed them to His people the first time (Torah reading יתרו Yitro, “Jethro,” Exodus 18:1–20:23). Are we standing at attention to hear the Word made flesh (John 1:14) explain the Spirit of the Law (Matthew 5–7)?