Mishpatim - Reading #4

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws

Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Reading #4 - Exodus 22:27–23:5

My Thoughts:

In 23:5 we read that Hashem wants to help even animals that are in trouble. So, if you see a donkey (or any animal) in a troublesome situation, you are to help it out. That shows me how much Hashem cares not only for us, but for His creation. He is so very kind. 

Today I heard on the news that there was an abused dog that had gotten loose, running around in a local city park. Someone found him, helped him and got him to shelter. They were reporting that they were investigating the people who did this. It may seem trivial, but it’s not. We read about a particular Commandment in which we are to do exactly this -- rescue an animal if needed. I believe Hashem is saying that ALL of His creation matters. And if we are to treat even animals in a decent and fair way, how much so will we treat fellow humans?

Challenge:

Chapter 23:1 we are told not to give a false report, or a lie about someone. A lot of us are guilty of doing this even when we think we are just “sharing” some news. Or we may say something like, “Mary needs prayer. She is getting a divorce”. But, we really don’t know if this is the truth or not. Best, not to talk about them at all. Unless you have something kind to say about someone, don’t say anything.

Reading #4 - Exodus 22:27–23:5

22:27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

28 “You shall not blaspheme Elohim, nor curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.

“You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. 30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

31 “You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

23 “You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

2 “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. 3 You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.

4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.

Yitro - Reading #4

Yitro יִתְרוֹ - Jethro

Exodus: 18:1-20:22

Reading #4 - Exodus 19:1–6

My Thoughts:

Imagine this. Hashem lifts you up on an eagle’s wing (verse 4) and carries you home. Of course, He did not literally do this to the Hebrew people -- but it was like He did. He “lifted” them out of slavery and delivered them to freedom. I can think of times in my life when Hashem “carried” me out of a bad situation. In fact, one time I was in a car with a friend. We had been drinking alcohol. My friend ran a red light with me in the passenger seat. There were cars approaching in both directions -- I closed my eyes. And somehow we got through the intersection. I remember thinking that angels “lifted” us up over the cars! Now, I know that Hashem literally “lifted” me up on eagle's wings! Has this ever happened to you where you know Hashem intervened into a situation in some amazing miraculous way? Praise Him that you made it through!

Challenge:

In verse 5 we read, “...for all the earth is Mine.” Have we forgotten this? Do we try to take control over things in our personal lives, and not consult Hashem? Do we think that we have the final say about what happens in our lives? We sure act like it. We get mad if things don’t go our way and yet we forget that really Hashem is ultimately in charge. I challenge you today to sit and think about the issues in your life. Take time to list them and turn each one back over to Hashem. And repent for trying to take charge of them. Go with His plan. It is the best way to go! It may not be your choice anyways.

Reading #4 - Exodus 19:1–6

19 "...In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to Elohim, and Hashem called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Beshalach - Reading #4

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #4 - Exodus 14:26–15:26

My Thoughts:

Here is your answer to being healed. It is so clear, you don’t have to look anywhere else. Hashem says in 15:26 “He said, “If you will diligently listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Hashem who heals you.” There you go. If you want healing then listen to Hashem, do what is right, pay attention to His Law and keep it. The problem is no one teaches us what those statues and commandments are. But, if you stay with this daily devotion -- you will learn as you go through the first five books of the Bible -- what they are. In His Law you will find healing. Amen?

Challenge:

The Hebrew people are led out of Egypt with a huge miracle. The sea literally parts for them to go through it. But, within 3 days, and no water -- the doubts return. Did Hashem really tell them to leave, they are wondering? Did they do the right thing? Doesn’t that happen to you? Hashem will do something really huge in your life, then in just a short time you incur some challenges in life and you forget His faithfulness? If you have forgotten how loving and faithful Hashem is, remember what He has done for you today. I challenge you to take a piece of paper and write down all the wonderful miracles Hashem has done in your life. I promise it will help you to get through your current challenge.

Reading #4 - Exodus 14:26–15:26

14 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Hashem overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus Hashem saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work which Hashem did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Hashem; and they believed in Hashem and in his servant Moses.

15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Hashem, and said,

“I will sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously.

    He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.

2 Adonai is my strength and song.

    He has become my salvation.

This is my Elohim, and I will praise Him;

    my father’s Elohim, and I will exalt him.

3 Adonai is a man of war.

    Adonai is His name.

4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea.

    His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

5 The deeps cover them.

    They went down into the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand, Adonai, is glorious in power.

    Your right hand, Adonai, dashes the enemy in pieces.

7 In the greatness of Your excellency, You overthrow those who rise up against You.

    You send out Your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.

8 With the blast of Your nostrils, the waters were piled up.

    The floods stood upright as a heap.

    The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder.

    My desire will be satisfied on them.

    I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind.

    The sea covered them.

    They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like You, Adonai, among the gods?

    Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

    fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out Your right hand.

    The earth swallowed them.

13 “You, in Your loving kindness, have led the people that You have redeemed.

    You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.

14 The peoples have heard.

    They tremble.

    Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed.

    Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab.

    All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

16 Terror and dread falls on them.

    By the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone,

    until Your people pass over, Adonai,

    until the people You have purchased pass over.

17 You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,

    the place, Adonai, which You have made for Yourself to dwell in;

    the sanctuary, Adonai, which Your hands have established.

18 Adonai will reign forever and ever.”

19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Hashem brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. 20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21 Miriam answered them,

“Sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously.

He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”

22 Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah. 24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried to Hashem. Hashem showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them. 26 He said, “If you will diligently listen to Adonai your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Adonai who heals you.”

Bo - 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 its 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.’”

Va'eira - Reading #4

Va'eira  וָאֵרָא - And I Appeared

Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2-9:35

Reading #4 - Exodus 7:8–8:6

My Thoughts:

Snakes, blood and frogs. Moses first 3 miracles to the Pharaoh. Moses is conveying to Pharaoh what the Elohim of the universe is telling him -- to let His people go! But, just as Hashem warned Moses, the Pharaoh does not listen. Many people have to suffer and eventually lose their lives. All because they were not listening to the voice of Hashem.

Don’t we do that? At times in our life Hashem directly speaks to us. Maybe not audibly but we know it when He does. And many times we do not listen. Maybe His task seems too big, or unreal, or we doubt He even told us to do something. I can tell you from experience. Better to take a risk that what you feel Hashem has asked you to do - you do it! Trust me, you will regret it forever if you don’t listen. He tells us things to do that are going to change the course of the world. We must listen.

Challenge:

I have challenged you before to practice listening to the voice of Hashem. This is so when He does call you to do or say something you recognize His voice! Sit quietly, pray and ask Him a question. See what you hear, write it down. If it feels like Hashem -- then do it! Keep practicing this. The more you try to listen, the more you will hear Him!

Reading #4 - Exodus 7:8–8:6

7:8 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle!’ then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.’”

10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Hashem had commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments. 12 For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. 13 Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Hashem had spoken.

14 Hashem said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn. He refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he is going out to the water. You shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him. You shall take the rod which was turned to a serpent in your hand. 16 You shall tell him, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. Behold, until now you haven’t listened.” 17 Hashem says, “In this you shall know that I am Hashem. Behold: I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 The fish that are in the river will die and the river will become foul. The Egyptians will loathe to drink water from the river.”’” 19 Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood. There will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”

20 Moses and Aaron did so, as Hashem commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 The fish that were in the river died. The river became foul. The Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river. The blood was throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 The magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their enchantments. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Hashem had spoken. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he didn’t even take this to heart. 24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn’t drink the river water. 25 Seven days were fulfilled, after Hashem had struck the river.

8 Hashem spoke to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Hashem says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs. 3 The river will swarm with frogs, which will go up and come into your house, and into your bedroom, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs. 4 The frogs shall come up both on you, and on your people, and on all your servants.”’” 5 Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’” 6 Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

Shemot - Reading #4

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names

Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Reading #4 - Exodus 3:1–15

My Thoughts:

How amazing Hashem speaks to Moses and gives him a direct order. He basically orders him to go back to Egypt and lead His people out to the promised Land. Hashem has heard the cries of His people and now is ready to do something. Moses just must be jarred. He is comfortably living in the mountains with his new family and now he has been called to this huge task. After he is called, he asks Hashem what is the name of Him who is calling? This is important to know, when Moses tells the people about this vision. Hashem tells him His eternal Name - “I AM”,  Hashem assures Him that the reason Moses can carry out this great task is because HE WILL BE WITH HIM. And another promise that he will be able to worship Hashem on this very same mountain. 

Challenge:

Has Hashem asked you to do something that you didn’t think you’d be able to do? He would not call you to do something big, unless He was going to be with you. Think about what He asked you to do in the past few days or weeks. Did you do it? Did you carry out the task? Did you believe He was with you and helped you? If you are hesitant or afraid to move forward, remember this story of how Hashem called Moses and His promises. Do what He says, and you will be amazed at the outcome.

Reading #4 - Exodus 3:1–15

1:3 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to Elohim’s mountain, to Horeb. 2 Hashem’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”

4 When Hashem saw that he came over to see, Elohim called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!”

He said, “Here I am.”

5 He said, “Don’t come close. Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.” 6 Moreover He said, “I am the Elohim of your father, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob.”

Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at Elohim.

7 Hashem said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. 8 I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 9 Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

11 Moses said to Elohim, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

12 He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve Elohim on this mountain.”

13 Moses said to Elohim, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”

14 Elohim said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 Elohim said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.

Vayechi - Reading #4

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Reading #4 - Genesis 49:1–18

My Thoughts:

Jacob is prophesying over his sons in this reading. Can you imagine having the spiritual insight to gather your children together before you die and speak into their futures -- good and not so good? And what would it be like for the sons to hear what he was saying? Would there be words of repentance, resolve and restitution. Or did they quietly accept his words? All we know for sure is that Hashem was in it all. I’m sure Jacob trusted in that.

Challenge:

If you have children what would it be like to gather them and speak into their future? Would they accept or reject your words? Maybe if they are younger you can start doing this on a gradual basis. Occasionally during special times address the areas that need adjustment and compliment the areas of success. Sometimes parents raise their children and never encourage them, never praise them or help them with words to grow and change. It’s important to do this. It will help your children to grow up to be responsible. Try this if you are able. If you don’t have children then try it with the young people that Hashem places in your life. All this will make for a better world.

Reading #4 - Genesis 49:1–18

49 Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in the days to come.

2 Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.

    Listen to Israel, your father.

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength,

    excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.

4 Boiling over like water, you shall not excel,

    because you went up to your father’s bed,

    then defiled it. He went up to my couch.

5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers.

    Their swords are weapons of violence.

6 My soul, don’t come into their council.

    My glory, don’t be united to their assembly;

for in their anger they killed men.

    In their self-will they hamstrung cattle.

7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce;

    and their wrath, for it was cruel.

I will divide them in Jacob,

    and scatter them in Israel.

8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you.

    Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.

    Your father’s sons will bow down before you.

9 Judah is a lion’s cub.

    From the prey, my son, you have gone up.

He stooped down, he crouched as a lion,

    as a lioness.

    Who will rouse him up?

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,

    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongs.

    The obedience of the peoples will be to him.

11 Binding his foal to the vine,

    his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,

he has washed his garments in wine,

    his robes in the blood of grapes.

12 His eyes will be red with wine,

    his teeth white with milk.

13 “Zebulun will dwell at the haven of the sea.

    He will be for a haven of ships.

    His border will be on Sidon.

14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,

    lying down between the saddlebags.

15 He saw a resting place, that it was good,

    the land, that it was pleasant.

He bows his shoulder to the burden,

    and becomes a servant doing forced labor.

16 “Dan will judge his people,

    as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan will be a serpent on the trail,

    an adder in the path,

that bites the horse’s heels,

    so that his rider falls backward.

18 I have waited for your salvation, Hashem.

Vayigash - Reading #4

Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near

Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Reading #4 - Genesis 45:19–27

My Thoughts: 

So, after many years Jacob hears his son Joseph is alive. Can you imagine? You thought you lost someone really close to you and you really did not. Maybe there is hope for your prayers. If anything, know that Hashem always answers prayers in some way and in some time. Just be patient. And keep praying. Be encouraged -- He hears you.

Challenge: 

Prosperity. Jacob’s sons have been blessed by Joseph. Has your family been blessed by a relative? If so, it is important to acknowledge this blessing. Pray and ask Hashem how you can do that. Just be careful not to feel indebted or that you are obligated to the person that gave. Accept it as a gift and be gracious.

Reading #4 - Genesis 45:19–27

19 Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.”

25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them. 27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.

Miketz - Reading #4

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #4 - Genesis 41:53–42:18

My Thoughts:

Famine came to Canaan, to the Land. Who would think that Hashem would allow this? But, He did. But, He also put in place a plan to save them from starvation. And He used an important G-dly descendant of Abraham -- Joseph. Sometimes He does allow sad and horrible things to happen to His people. But, He always has the perfect plan to use the suffering for something good. We can be guaranteed of that. He is an Elohim of mercy and grace. And we love Him. Think of the times where you almost gave up. Where you suffered beyond what you thought capable. But, after it was all over you could see the hand print of Hashem over everything. It is just amazing. He never forsakes or leaves us!

Challenge: 

Timing. Sometimes life is about timing. It seems like Joseph was in the right place at the right time -- Hashem made it so. He was planted there to save his country, his people and his family. And Hashem equipped Joseph to know how to handle it all. Today’s challenge is to look at Hashem's timing in your life. Think about a time when you were at a loss, maybe even ready to give up -- when Hashem appeared and did a miracle. Or He used you to carry out a miracle, just like Joseph. When you remember this special situation, tell Hashem how grateful you are to Him and how much you love Him. When you start to remember His miracles it will encourage you to go on in your present situations in life. And to be sure to watch Him move, once more.

READING #4 - Genesis 41:53–42:18

41:53 The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. 54 The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

42 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.” 3 Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.” 5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?”

They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

Vayeshev - Reading #4

Vayeshev וַיֵּשֶׁב - And He Settled

Genesis 37:1 - 40:23

Reading #4 - Genesis chapter 38

My Thoughts: 

We learn about Tamar in this reading today. What is so very interesting is that Tamar is in the ancestral line of David and Yeshua! Yet we read of her “schemes” to get pregnant by Judah. We weren’t there to know what compelled her to act in this way of deception, but for some reason she does. And out of her line of ancestry comes kings and a Mashiach! It makes me think of what I heard in Israel on a trip (I mentioned this in another reading) – Hashem doesn’t “waste” anything. He wanted the bloodlines of David and Yeshua to come through Jacob and this is the path He chose. We don’t know why. But, we do know He often makes something very good out of something not-so-good. 

Challenge: 

Have you ever tricked or manipulated a situation to get what you want? I have. Especially when I was younger before I was in a deep relationship with Hashem. I would “use” my friend to get things I wanted -- at her expense. I would talk her into stealing her mother’s credit card to buy cigarettes and alcohol for us to party with. It was wrong, and I am regretful to this day. Did anything good come out of my ill behavior? The only good thing I can attest to is that Hashem has used my prior “experiences” in life to minister to others in trouble. I understand what they are going through, because I did the same. If you were involved in something you regretted with another person, think about how G-d used it all for good. It will help you to realize that G-d does not waste anything! Even our bad experiences!

Reading #4 - Genesis chapter 38

38 At that time, Judah went down from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her. 3 She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er. 4 She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan. 5 She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him. 6 Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Hashem’s sight. So Hashem killed him. 8 Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother. 10 The thing which he did was evil in Hashem’s sight, and he killed him also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

12 After many days, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite. 13 Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14 She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in to you,” for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law.

She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”

17 He said, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.”

She said, “Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?”

18 He said, “What pledge will I give you?”

She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.”

He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. 20 Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend, the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, but he didn’t find her. 21 Then he asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?”

They said, “There has been no prostitute here.”

22 He returned to Judah, and said, “I haven’t found her; and also the men of the place said, ‘There has been no prostitute here.’” 23 Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”

24 About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.”

Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.”

26 Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.”

He knew her again no more. 27 In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb. 28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.” 29 As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.