Tag: plagues against Mitsraim-Egypt

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

The illusion of control: Negotiating with God (Exodus 8–9; Isaiah 34–35; Hebrews 12)

Alt-text: Digital oil painting created by ChatGPT in a heavy impasto palette knife style, depicting Pharaoh in royal purple and gold garments gripping a dissolving scepter, facing Moses in humble earth tones with his hand raised toward divine light breaking through swirling clouds. Fragmented chains and mist symbolize liberation and the loss of control. The image bears a “Hallel.info” watermark in the lower right corner and overlaid text reading: “The illusion of control: Negotiating with God (Exodus 8–9; Isaiah 34–35; Hebrews 12).”

In this study of Exodus 8–9, we explored how Pharaoh’s attempts to negotiate with God revealed the futility of seeking control over true submission. We examined the motivations behind biblical negotiations — whether for personal gain or to save lives — and why God honors one over the other. Via parallel passages Isaiah 34–35 and Hebrews 12, we also discussed the destruction of Esau/Edom, compared how pagan gods and the God of Israel love humanity, and reflected on how authentic repentance and selfless motivations matter most when relating to God and others.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Torah Unleavened Bread

Crying out to the God Who hears: Lamenting injustice and hoping in divine resolution (Exodus 3–4)

Crying out to the God Who hears: Lamenting injustice and hoping in divine resolution (Exodus 3-4). Adobe Firefly AI-generated image of an old woman crying out in anguish.

The three signs Elohim gave Moshe (Moses) at the burning bush in Exodus 4 to show the elders of Israel revealed God knew intimately the horrors they endured during centuries of bondage in Mitzraim (Egypt).

First, the staff becoming a snake and back again symbolized how the “tribe” of Israel had been made contemptible in Egypt but was being restored, finally though the Red Sea crossing. Second, the leprous hand showed God saw their affliction as if they were stillborn infants, to which Moshe’s sister, Miriam, was compared. Third, turning a jug of water into blood red revealed that God witnessed their babies’ murders by Egypt into the Nile, which be expanded to grand scale in the first plague.

This study explores that through these signs addressing their specific traumas, God demonstrated to the elders that He heard, remembered, saw and knew His “first-born,” and God would gain justice for their sufferings in Egypt. This is a key lesson of Pesach (Passover) and Matzot (Unleavened Bread).

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Discussions Torah

Walking blamelessly before God: A ransomed life moving toward spiritual maturity (Exodus 6–9)

Walking blamelessly before God: A ransomed life moving toward spiritual maturity (Exodus 6-9). The feet of a person wearing blue jeans and sneakers are seen walking on a road in late afternoon sun.

In this study of Torah reading וָאֵרָא‎ Va’era (“I appeared,” Exodus 6:2–9:35), Pharaoh’s unyielding heart despite God’s plagues on Mitzraim (Egypt) foreshadows humanity’s futile rebellion against the authority of the Creator, as echoed in Revelation. Pharaoh’s “hardened” heart yields briefly with his son’s death, which challenged both his lineage and Egypt’s deities.

Pharaoh’s obstinacy is part of a prophetic role for Israel to bear witness to the global importance of God’s names El Shaddai and YHWH. That role, which reaches its fullness in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ), has come with persecution toward those who uphold the righteousness and sovereignty of the Creator.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Va’era (וארא): Exodus 6:2–9:35

Studies in Torah

It’s no coincidence that the freedom of Yisra’el from bondage in Mitzraim was accompanied by 10 plagues and the release of mankind on the coming Day of the LORD comes after seven plagues. Why such drastic measures are required to give people freedom is behind this week’s Torah portion, וָאֵרָא‎ Va’era (“I appeared,” Exodus 6:2–9:35).

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Trumpets

How the 7 trumpets of Revelation are revealed through the Torah and Prophets

How the seven trumpets of Revelation are revealed in the Torah and Prophets

Interpretations of the book of Revelation are numerous, but one key to understanding the mysterious imagery is to find where the same images appear earlier in the Bible. Discover in this study on the Feast of Trumpets how the account of the Exodus and the writings of the prophets Joel, Zechariah, Isaiah and others reveal how the seven trumpets of Revelation point to judgment starting at the house of God.

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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.

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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.