Bo - Reading #7

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about redeeming the firstborn. Interestingly enough, before the “golden calf” incident, the firstborn males of Israel were all to be involved in the priesthood. After the incident, only the Levites were designated for this. They did not participate in the golden calf event. And since that time, all Jewish firstborn males are to be redeemed. There is a ceremony today called the “Pidyon Haben” where a baby is presented to a priest and redeemed for 5 shekels (Numbers 18:16). It all reminds me that really everything belongs to Hashem. All of us are created by Him, live for Him and return to Him. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 9 we read about having a “sign” of Hashem’s Law on our hearts. The forehead and the hand. These may represent our ability to "think" in our brains and "implement" with our hands. Our thoughts must reflect Torah, our love for Hashem and others. Our hands must carry out all the duties/acts that He requests of us. I challenge you today to take some time to review if your thoughts and actions are representative of Hashem’s light in your life. And work on areas that are not. Improve and be better. For Him. For others.

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

13 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.”

3 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Hashem brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today you go out in the month Abib. 5 It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Hashem. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders. 8 You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Hashem did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Hashem’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Hashem has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

11 “It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it you, 12 that you shall set apart to Hashem all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Hashem’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. 14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Hashem brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Hashem killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Hashem all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand Hashem brought us out of Egypt.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In the crazy world we live in -- a world of "G-dlessness" -- we have a promise. The promise is all will be made well in the end. The garden of Eden will be restored in a sense, because in eternity we live with Him once again. We see this promise in verse 27 “Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease…”. I often think about what it will be like when we are in the Olam Haba (the world to come). Where in this world there is chaos, in the Olam Haba there will be “peace and ease”. Something we should look forward to, prepare for and pray for.

Challenge:

In verse 28 we read that there will be “consequences” for all we have done. We will be punished. I believe we receive that in our lives here on earth. For every sin we commit, there is a consequence. Whether you see it or not. And many times our sins affect others. Today would be a good day to take a hard look at your life. What are things you have or do in your life that do not bring glory to Hashem? It’s time to correct them. It’s time to make things right.

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

46:13 The word that Hashem spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt.

14 “Declare in Egypt,

    publish in Migdol,

    and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes:

say, ‘Stand up, and prepare;

    for the sword has devoured around you.’

15 Why are your strong ones swept away?

    They didn’t stand, because Hashem pushed them.

16 He made many to stumble.

    Yes, they fell on one another.

They said, ‘Arise! Let’s go again to our own people,

    and to the land of our birth,

    from the oppressing sword.’

17 They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise;

    he has let the appointed time pass by.’

18 “As I live,” says the King,

    whose name is Hashem of Armies,

“surely like Tabor among the mountains,

    and like Carmel by the sea,

    so He will come.

19 You daughter who dwells in Egypt,

    furnish yourself to go into captivity;

for Memphis will become a desolation,

    and will be burned up,

    without inhabitant.

20 “Egypt is a very beautiful heifer;

    but destruction out of the north has come.

    It has come.

21 Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall;

    for they also are turned back.

    They have fled away together.

They didn’t stand,

    for the day of their calamity has come on them,

    the time of their visitation.

22 Its sound will go like the serpent;

    for they will march with an army,

    and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.

23 They will cut down her forest,” says Hashem,

    “though it can’t be searched;

because they are more than the locusts,

    and are innumerable.

24 The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed;

    she will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.”

25 Hashem of Armies, the Elohim of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him. 26 I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old,” says Hashem.

27 “But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant.

    Don’t be dismayed, Israel;

for, behold, I will save you from afar,

    and your offspring from the land of their captivity.

Jacob will return,

    and will be quiet and at ease.

    No one will make him afraid.

28 Don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant,” says Hashem;

    “for I am with you;

    for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you;

but I will not make a full end of you,

    but I will correct you in measure,

    and will in no way leave you unpunished.”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

Interesting that not one bone of Yeshua was broken. Just like the Pesach lamb. Torah instructs us not to “break any bones” of the lamb (Exodus 12:46). Yeshua was killed on Pesach, just about the time they were sacrificing the lambs. The Pesach lamb’s life was given to redeem the firstborn male of the Hebrew households. When Yeshua died, He gave His life to redeem His people and set them free. I believe He came to warn His people that if they did not start worshiping Hashem and obeying His commands, that the Temple was going to come down (70 A.D.) and they would be dispersed for a long, long time. It was a strong message, but few heeded it. And His prophecy was fulfilled. 

When He came to warn His people about all this, He knew they would kill Him. But, He came anyway. He came because He loves us so much. His blood will not be wasted. It will be used to “seal the New Covenant”. The future covenant of Jeremiah 31. It all fits. He came to redeem Israel, to save the Temple from being destroyed. To help the people find their way back to Hashem. And some day we will do this.

Challenge:

If you are not familiar with how the death of Yeshua the Mashiach ties in with the Feast of Pesach, then I challenge you to start studying it today. There are many prophecies about the coming Mashiach written in Scripture. I believe Yeshua came first as the “suffering Mashiach”. And that He will return as the “King Mashiach”. If you want to learn more about Yeshua the Rabbi, go to my website: https://www.jesus-was-a-rabbi.com/

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

19:31 Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Yeshua, and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34 However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. 36 For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 37 Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”Zechariah 12:10

Bo - Reading #6

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

My Thoughts:

In verse 49 we read; “One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” Here is the first time that Hashem is actually saying that there is one law for both foreigner and native born. To me that means that if you decide to follow Torah and it’s Commandments then you may become a part of Israel. You serve the same Hashem and to follow Him you follow the same Law. One Law for all - as long as you are willing to serve Him together. (Just like Ruth?)

But, I have an honest question - can we "join" Israel? Is it really possible? Does Hashem see us "as one"? Verse 48 says, "He (the foreigner) shall be as one who is born in the land." And this happens with the "stranger" only if you are circumcised. Which is, of course, you are then following the Law. I desire to be as one who is born in the land. So, I must follow Torah to the best of my ability. Amen.

Challenge:

The Hebrew people left with beautiful jewels, gold and silver. All given to them from the Egyptians. What an interesting turn of events! One day they are slaves and the next day through the favor of Hashem they are rich! Think of a time in your life when maybe you had a dramatic financial turning. Or when you received some unexpected money. If you haven’t already thanked Hashem, do it today. All good things come from Hashem.

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

12:29 At midnight, Hashem struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Hashem, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”

33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.

37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, in addition to children. 38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves. 40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of Hashem’s armies went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed to Hashem for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Hashem, to be much observed by all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

43 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it. 45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it. 46 It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 When a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, and would like to keep the Passover to Hashem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. He shall be as one who is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” 50 All the children of Israel did so. As Hashem commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 That same day, Hashem brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Bo - Reading #5

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

My Thoughts:

This Pesach (Passover) miracle is to be remembered and passed down from generation to generation. It is a Feast that we are required to memorialize each year. It is not meant to be some heavy “burden” -- but rather a wonderful reminder of Hashem’s mercy and grace. He heard His people “cries” and He answered them. He delivered them out of slavery and into a Land of milk and honey. Celebrating Pesach every year can draw us back into time, a time where Hashem held His arms out to His people and redeemed them. 

I am sure this was very unexpected to them. After all, they were probably asking to be delivered from slavery, not necessarily to be moved into a different country. Maybe they had forgotten the promise made to their fathers. The promise of Israel. Nevertheless, Hashem did not forget. And now it was time to bring them home. May we never forget that Hashem does hear our prayers and He does have answers. They may just look different then what we expected.

Challenge:

Are you asking Hashem to deliver you out of a certain situation? Keep believing He has heard you and will redeem you, it just may surprise you how He does it. Try to be strong and keep faith. Trust that He will move in His time. Open your eyes and see if your “exodus” has begun!

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Bo - Week #3 - Reading #4

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #4 - Exodus 11:4–12:20

My Thoughts:

Today we read about the very first Pesach. The Hebrews were to take in a lamb, slaughter it on the 14th day and cover their doorposts with it’s blood. When Hashem passes through the land and sees the blood on the posts, He will pass over. If the blood is not there then destruction comes to the firstborn -- both human and animal. Another test of faith and loyalty. Those who did what Hashem said, did not suffer. Those who did not, lost precious life. Then Hashem commands them to eat unleavened bread for 7 days. This feast is to last forever. Every year we are to remember this story and memorialize it. To not do so, is disobedience. Hint: It’s not about Easter -- it’s about Passover. Study and get ready to observe.

Challenge:

Have you ever celebrated or honored Pesach (Passover)? And the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Today, you are introduced to the original story. The reason why we remember this event. It’s about freedom and deliverance. Take some time this week and look up the Pesach celebration in Scripture. Look for the places it is mentioned and what the instructions for it. You will be blessed. Guaranteed.

Reading #4 - Exodus 11:4–12:20

11:4 Moses said, “This is what Hashem says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt, 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock. 6 There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. 7 But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that Hashem makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

9 Hashem said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.

12 Hashem spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household; 4 and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls. You shall make your count for the lamb according to what everyone can eat. 5 Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening. 7 They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it. 8 They shall eat the meat in that night, roasted with fire, with unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs. 9 Don’t eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts. 10 You shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you shall burn with fire. 11 This is how you shall eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Hashem’s Passover. 12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Hashem. 13 The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This day shall be a memorial for you. You shall keep it as a feast to Hashem. You shall keep it as a feast throughout your generations by an ordinance forever.

15 “‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no kind of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, only that may be done by you. 17 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day I have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance forever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the month at evening. 19 There shall be no yeast found in your houses for seven days, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a foreigner, or one who is born in the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you shall eat unleavened bread.’”

Bo - Reading #3

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3

My Thoughts:

With this reading I think about the times Pharaoh is going back on his word. He says he will let them go, then always changes his mind. You may say this is because Hashem “hardened” his heart. And I am sure this is a large part of it all. But, regardless, he is not a man of his word. Today we have many people who are not “people of their word”. We say a lot of things, but we don’t stand behind what we say. In fact, many times, we don’t even do what we promise. How many times have you said, “I will be praying for you”. Only you walk away and never do? Or you say “I will call you soon”. But, you never do. Make sure when you tell someone you are going to do something -- you do it! You are representing Hashem and His faithfulness. Be careful.

Challenge:

In the last verse we see Moses was great in the sight of the people. What made him great? The miracles, his bravery, his strength, perseverance -- what? Maybe all those things. I challenge you today to think about what makes you “great” in the sight of others? What kind of traits do you have that others respect and admire? If you can’t think of many things then maybe it is time to change. Become a “light” to the nations. It is our purpose.

Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3

24 Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, “Go, serve Hashem. Only let your flocks and your herds stay behind. Let your little ones also go with you.”

25 Moses said, “You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim. 26 Our livestock also shall go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Hashem our Elohim; and we don’t know with what we must serve Hashem, until we come there.”

27 But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!”

29 Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.”

11 Hashem said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

Bo - Reading #1

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #1 — Exodus 10:1–11

My Thoughts:

The plague of locusts. Somehow it reminds me of today, how we allow politics, bad politics -- to swarm our country. Those who are not of Hashem, who do not believe in Him, who take control of our laws, our media, our way of life. They are like a swarm of locusts that “devour” what is good and right that are left in the land. We must pray and be active to overcome evil with good. It starts with you and me. It starts right here at home. Make sure you have peace in your home and you are following Torah. It is your guideline to live in this world. If the locusts take over and devour the world -- they can never take Torah away from our hearts. Make sure the Word is sealed in your heart!

Challenge:

Read today’s news. Ask Hashem to show you who the “locusts” are that are trying to destroy freedoms in our world. Then ask Hashem to show you how you can pray and how you can become involved in fighting for your freedoms. Become proactive. Don’t let the “locusts” devour your land or you!

Reading #1 — Exodus 10:1–11

10 Hashem said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs among them; 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am Hashem.”

3 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 Or else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country, 5 and they shall cover the surface of the earth, so that one won’t be able to see the earth. They shall eat the residue of that which has escaped, which remains to you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which grows for you out of the field. 6 Your houses shall be filled, and the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.’” He turned, and went out from Pharaoh.

7 Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Hashem, their Elohim. Don’t you yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”

8 Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve Hashem your Elohim; but who are those who will go?”

9 Moses said, “We will go with our young and with our old. We will go with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds; for we must hold a feast to Hashem.”

10 He said to them, “Hashem be with you if I let you go with your little ones! See, evil is clearly before your faces. 11 Not so! Go now you who are men, and serve Hashem; for that is what you desire!” Then they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

Bo - Week #3

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Jeremiah 46:13-28

John 19:31-37

1.1 First reading — Exodus 10:1–11

1.2 Second reading — Exodus 10:12–23

1.3 Third reading — Exodus 10:24–11:3

1.4 Fourth reading — Exodus 11:4–12:20

1.5 Fifth reading — Exodus 12:21–28

1.6 Sixth reading —Exodus 12:29–51 

1.7 Seventh reading — Exodus 13:1–16