Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names
Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1
Reading #5 - Exodus 3:16–4:17
My Thoughts:
Hashem is determined to use Moses. Even though he is scared and objects. What is so interesting is that Hashem works through his doubts with him. He promises that He will do miracles, signs and wonders. That He will make Moses rod do special things to convince people. And Hashem promises to put words into his mouth to speak. Moses is still afraid. Hashem gets a little upset with him, but then agrees to using his brother Aaron as a mouthpiece. It’s like Hashem is telling Moses, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”
Isn’t that what Hashem does with us? He tells us to do something, we give a thousand excuses, and He stays with us through it all. That is the coolest thing. So, don’t be afraid to carry out Hashem’s task. He is there and He will help you!
Challenge:
I have a brave challenge for you today. Look around you and see if Hashem is showing you something that someone needs. Take that need, pray about it and ask Hashem to do a miracle. Don’t do anything (unless Hashem tells you to) -- just pray about it. And see what He does. Be sure to pray HIS WILL in the situation. You may be super surprised at His answer to your prayer! I just thought of someone and prayed a special prayer for Hashem to help this person (actually a couple). I will wait, continue praying and see what happens.
Reading #5 - Exodus 3:16–4:17
16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. 17 I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Hashem, our Elohim.’ 19 I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 I will reach out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do among them, and after that he will let you go. 21 I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing. You shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”
4 Moses answered, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice; for they will say, ‘Hashem has not appeared to you.’”
2 Hashem said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
He said, “A rod.”
3 He said, “Throw it on the ground.”
He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it.
4 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand, and take it by the tail.”
He stretched out his hand, and took hold of it, and it became a rod in his hand.
5 “This is so that they may believe that Hashem, the Elohiim of their fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Hashem said furthermore to him, “Now put your hand inside your cloak.”
He put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow.
7 He said, “Put your hand inside your cloak again.”
He put his hand inside his cloak again, and when he took it out of his cloak, behold, it had turned again as his other flesh.
8 “It will happen, if they will not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 9 It will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, that you shall take of the water of the river, and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take out of the river will become blood on the dry land.”
10 Moses said to Hashem, “O Hashem, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”
11 Hashem said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Hashem? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”
13 Moses said, “Oh, Lord, please send someone else.”
14 Hashem’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he is coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. 16 He will be your spokesman to the people. It will happen that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God. 17 You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
