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 #2

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #2 - Exodus 10:12–23

My Thoughts:

Hashem can bring east and west winds into the land. He can do anything. As I think of winds, I think of cleansing. The east wind brought the locusts, but the west wind carried them away. What is the significance for today? Maybe we should pray for a “west wind” that could cleanse our land. That could remove the “locusts” or those who are destroying our land. That would be a good prayer. “Hashem, our country (the USA) has been contaminated with lies and untruths. Freedoms have been devoured. Please blow your west wind across our land to cleanse it and bring back freedom and Your truths. Amen”

Challenge:

Darkness covers all of Egypt except for the land of Goshen. If you are following G-d’s commands and serving only Him, you live in a “spiritual Goshen”. Take a piece of paper and write down the things that distinguish you from the rest of the world. Write down what it is for you to live in “Goshen” today. What makes you different? This may expose some idols in your life and things you need to change. Maybe you look too much like the rest of the world and need to start being “set apart”. Only following the Torah can do this for you. Take a hard look at this today.

Reading #2 - Exodus 10:12–23

12 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.” 13 Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and Hashem brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt. They were very grievous. Before them there were no such locusts as they, nor will there ever be again. 15 For they covered the surface of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened, and they ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. There remained nothing green, either tree or herb of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, “I have sinned against Hashem your Elohim, and against you. 17 Now therefore please forgive my sin again, and pray to Hashem your Elohim, that He may also take away from me this death.”

18 Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to Hashem. 19 Hashem sent an exceedingly strong west wind, which took up the locusts, and drove them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the borders of Egypt. 20 But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go.

21 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.” 22 Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

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