Shemot - Reading #2

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names
Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Reading #2 - Exodus 1:18–2:10

My Thoughts:

The plans of Hashem always carry through. In today’s reading we see two miracles. First of all that the midwives are rescuing babies from murder, and secondly that the Pharaoh's daughter finds Moses in the river and rescues him! And actually a third miracle -- baby Moses is given back to his birth mother to be nursed and cared for! Hashem had a wonderful plan to raise up a deliverer for His people and the enemy obviously was not liking this. However, Hashem’s plan prevailed. Moses is saved and placed back into the loving arms of his mother. There is nothing that can stop the plans of Hashem! Amen!

Challenge:

If you saw something that was going on that was wrong, would you intervene to stop it? Would you lie to save a life? Would you be daring to carry out a dangerous plan (like placing baby Moses into the river)? Would you trust in Hashem that if you did any of this that He would bless and protect you? My challenge to you today is to be on the lookout for what Hashem is challenging you to do. It is going to take you out of your “comfort zone” but you must pray that He will give strength to you. Be brave and bold. Hashem will go with you wherever you go!

Reading #2 - Exodus 1:18–2:10

1:18 The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, “Why have you done this thing and saved the boys alive?”

19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”

20 Elohim dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. 21 Because the midwives feared Elohim, He gave them families. 22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

2 A man of the house of Levi went and took a daughter of Levi as his wife. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. 4 His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him. 5 Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds, and sent her servant to get it. 6 She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.”

The young woman went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.”

The woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Shemot - Reading #1

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names

Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Reading #1 - Exodus 1:1–17

My Thoughts:

The story of the midwives is one of my favorite stories in the Bible! They decide to “not tell the truth” and save babies from being murdered -- it is a beautiful story of dedication. In verse 17 we read, “But the midwives feared Elohim, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.” They feared and respected Hashem so much that they didn’t do what the King asked of them! This is the most pro-life story in all of Scripture. Maybe there are times in our lives when it is wiser to fear Hashem, and do what we have to do even if it is disobeying someone in authority. As we will read tomorrow their households were blessed for actually being disobedient to the King’s orders. We can assume from this teaching that Hashem would do the same for us in a similar situation.

Challenge:

Think of a situation in your life where you righteously defended someone and so you could not tell the truth or had to disobey your authority. Or maybe you have a situation right now in your life where Hashem is calling you to do something brave. Pray and ask Him for strength to defend what is right. Unfortunately, there may be a time where you do not dispel the truth or you disobey some authority and it might land you in jail or you may lose a job, or get fined. This is where you must be sure you have heard from G-d how to handle a difficult situation. Be in prayer and use a listening ear. You may have a “cost” for defending what is right, but in the end you will have done what is good and you will be blessed for doing so.

Reading #1 -  Exodus 1:1–17

1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob): 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already. 6 Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10 Come, let’s deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies and fight against us, and escape out of the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They started to dread the children of Israel. 13 The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve, 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.

15 The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah, 16 and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared Elohim, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.

Shemot - Week #1

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names

Exodus:1:1-6:1

Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23

Matthew 2:1-12

1.1 First reading — Exodus 1:1–17

1.2 Second reading — Exodus 1:18–2:10

1.3 Third reading — Exodus 2:11–25

1.4 Fourth reading — Exodus 3:1–15

1.5 Fifth reading — Exodus 3:16–4:17

1.6 Sixth reading — Exodus 4:18–31

1.7 Seventh reading — Exodus 5:1–6:1

Vayechi - Reading #7

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived - Reading #7

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19

My Thoughts:

In verse 21 Joseph comforts his sons and says he will provide for them. That is how parents have done it for generations. Part of your financial planning should be for your children and grandchildren. Some of us, even at retirement age, live paycheck to paycheck. So, what can we do? One thing would be to pay off your mortgage and place your children in your will to inherit your home. If you are young, work hard to buy a home and pay it off in time for your children. Do whatever you can do. If you are young, set up a trust for your children’s education. My kids inherited a trust from their grandfather, and it was a super blessing. To them and to us as their parents.

Challenge:

Make a financial plan to take care of existing/future kids and grandchildren. Do it today or put it on your planner. Do not delay. Set it up as soon as you are able, and it will put your mind at peace. Look at it as a lifelong gift.

Reading #7 - Genesis 50:21–26

50:21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

22 Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years. 23 Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Haltarah 

My Thoughts:

Not only is financial planning for our children important, but more importantly is teaching them Hashem’s Torah and His ways. We read that Hashem told David if he did this -- then he and his children would prosper in ALL that he/they did. Isn’t that what we really want for our children, spiritual prosperity? My daily prayer is that my children and grandchildren will serve Hashem. The only way that will happen is through prayer and teaching Torah to them. Be intentional in this. So, that they may prosper.

Challenge:

Make a plan how you will teach your children/grandchildren Torah. Do daily readings, such as this one and the internet is rich with Torah videos -- adult and kid. Make your plan and carry it out. Start a routine with readings and study. They say it takes three weeks to make a habit. Do it. It’s super important. It will make the difference between a good life and a not so good life.

Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

2 Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; 3 and keep the instruction of Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself. 4 Then Hashem may establish His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’

5 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was around his waist, and in his sandals that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

8 “Behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Hashem, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”

10 David slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city. 11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 Solomon sat on David his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

Yeshua knows He is about to leave His friends and die. As in all of our Scripture readings today He begins to prepare those around Him for His departure. In this very unique way, He chooses to “wash the feet” of His disciples. He performs an act of service. A humble act. He is teaching them that no matter who you are, or what your position is, you are not greater than others. In fact, it is an honor to be the “least”. He teaches that it is better to serve than to be served. An important lesson and one that we should be teaching our children and grandchildren. 

Challenge:

How can you “serve” your children, grandchildren today? And how can you teach them to do the same? This should be a daily part of your life, but it should also be a daily teaching to them. Be sure in all you do that your message to them is that we are to serve, and not to be served. Teach them humility and service to Hashem and others. It will make them really good “G-dly” people.

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19

13 Now before the feast of the Passover, Yeshua, knowing that His time had come that He would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Yeshua, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from Elohim, and was going to Elohim, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside His outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “L-rd, do you wash my feet?”

7 Yeshua answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “L-rd, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Yeshua said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew him who would betray Him, therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when He had washed their feet, put His outer garment back on, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘L-rd.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, Hashem and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am He.

Vayechi - Reading #6

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Reading #6 - Genesis 49:27–50:20

My Thoughts:

We have a very well known verse today in 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but Elohim meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.” I love this verse, it gives us so much hope. Many times in my life and in others I have seen where Hashem did something really wonderful in a very sad or challenging situation. Usually, it involves people that are not directly involved. In other words, we can be such a “light” to others during a difficult situation.

Yesterday my good friend’s husband died of brain cancer. She called me a few hours after he died and she sounded unbelievably peaceful. She really believes her husband is in the presence of Yeshua now - in heaven or paradise. It was such a witness to hear her voice and her calmness in such a sad situation! I know that Hashem will use her as a huge example of His love to others during the upcoming week -- funeral and all. That is Hashem turning something that could be bad into something that could be really good.

Challenge:

Think of something difficult that you are going through right now, or that someone you are close to is handling. Now pray and ask Hashem how it could all turn for good -- or better yet, see how He already is using the situation for something good. Write it down. Tell others about the goodness of G-d. And praise Him. By doing this you will “enhance” the goodness that comes out of your challenging situation.

Reading #6 - Genesis 49:27–50:20

49:27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. In the morning he will devour the prey. At evening he will divide the plunder.”

28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed everyone according to his own blessing. 29 He instructed them, and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah, his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah, his wife, and there I buried Leah: 32 the field and the cave that is therein, which was purchased from the children of Heth.” 33 When Jacob finished charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, breathed his last breath, and was gathered to his people. 50 1 Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him. 2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were used for him, for that is how many the days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy days.

4 When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come again.’”

6 Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”

7 Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 9 Both chariots and horsemen went up with him. It was a very great company. 10 They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and severe lamentation. He mourned for his father seven days. 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians.” Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. 12 His sons did to him just as he commanded them, 13 for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, as a possession for a burial site, from Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre. 14 Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, 17 ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of Elohim of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of Elohim? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but Elohim meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.

Vayechi - Reading #5

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Reading #5 - Genesis 49:19–26

My Thoughts:

Jacob continues to praise his sons and prophecy into their future. He seems to give the longest speeches to Judah and Joseph. I guess we all choose favorites in our kids, but good not to let them know this – right? The point being it is obvious he loved all his children (and grandchildren) and it was important to impart blessings. Like we talked about yesterday, be sure to bless your children while they and you are alive. You never want to miss out on any opportunities.

Challenge:

Take a piece of paper and write down one special thing about each of your children. If they are grown, still do it. And do the same for your grandchildren. Take your paper, date it, and put it somewhere special. Guaranteed sometime in the future someone will find it and be blessed. And it will help you to remember the special things about your family. (If you don’t have kids then write something special about a sibling or friend).

Reading #5 - Genesis 49:19–26

49:19 “A troop will press on Gad,

    but he will press on their heel.

20 “Asher’s food will be rich.

    He will produce royal dainties.

21 “Naphtali is a doe set free,

    who bears beautiful fawns.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine,

    a fruitful vine by a spring.

    His branches run over the wall.

23 The archers have severely grieved him,

    shot at him, and persecuted him:

24 But his bow remained strong.

    The arms of his hands were made strong,

    by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,

    (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),

25 even by the Elohim of your father, who will help you,

    by the Almighty, who will bless you,

with blessings of heaven above,

    blessings of the deep that lies below,

    blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.

26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of your ancestors,

    above the boundaries of the ancient hills.

They will be on the head of Joseph,

    on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.

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.