Beshalach - Reading #7

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Reading #7 - Exodus 17:1–16

My Thoughts:

I think the Aaron and Hur miraculous story, and holding up Moses arms, is about friendship and support. Yes Hashem did a powerful miracle by providing success when his arms were raised, but I think it’s more than that. Think of the difficult times in your life when a spouse, friend or relative was there for you. You could not have done so well if you were alone. But, they were there for you and made a difference. Recently, a good friend of mine lost her husband. They are not that old so it was really sad. I tried to be “there” for her in many different ways. First I continually prayed for her, sent her Bible verses and listened to her struggles. Secondly, I asked her what practical needs she had, and helped her with those.  Truthfully, just being there to help her with tangible things, showed her my support and encouragement. That’s just like Aaron and Hur, it was tangible evidence of their support because they physically held up his arms. The really cool thing is when they did that, Hashem did miracles! And there was success!

Challenge:

If there is someone in your life that is going through a tough time, see if you can be their “Aaron or Hur”. Do something practical and tangible that shows them you are supporting them! Then watch what Hashem does, He will give them success and most likely a miracle! Thank you Elohim for good and faithful friendships, and how You reward us when we do what You have taught us to do. To love others and serve them with a grateful heart!

Reading #7 - Exodus 17:1–16

17 All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, starting according to Hashem’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Hashem?”

3 The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”

4 Moses cried to Hashem, saying, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 Hashem said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Hashem, saying, “Is Hashem among us, or not?”

8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with Elohim’s rod in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset. 13 Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 Hashem said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.” 15 Moses built an altar, and called its name “Hashem our Banner”. 16 He said, “Hashem has sworn: ‘Hashem will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’”

Haftarah Reading

My Thoughts:

Here we see a mighty warrior asking for Deborah to accompany him in battle. Even strong people need support and encouragement. Barak had two great supporters -- Hashem and Deborah. And the battle was won! Needing help from others is not a bad thing. In fact, I believe Hashem honors it.

The Challenge:

Do you need support and encouragement? Are you going through a tough time or do you know someone who is? Be their “Deborah”. Even if you don’t think they really need your help because they have Hashem’s help. Be there for them and ask them how you can help them in a tangible way. This is important for our world to be healed and delivered.

Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31

4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. 5 She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and lead the way to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 I will draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.’”

8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”

9 She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honor; for Hashem will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

10 Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him. 11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh. 12 They told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to Mount Tabor. 13 Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles, to the river Kishon.

14 Deborah said to Barak, “Go; for this is the day in which Hashem has delivered Sisera into your hand. Hasn’t Hashem gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 Hashem confused Sisera, all his chariots, and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth of the Gentiles; and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. There was not a man left.

17 However Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; don’t be afraid.” He came in to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.

19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty.”

She opened a container of milk, and gave him a drink, and covered him.

20 He said to her, “Stand in the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’”

21 Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and struck the pin into his temples, and it pierced through into the ground, for he was in a deep sleep; so he fainted and died. 22 Behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.” He came to her; and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples. 23 So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day. 24 The hand of the children of Israel prevailed more and more against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

5 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,

2 “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel,

    because the people offered themselves willingly,

be blessed, Hashem!

3 “Hear, you kings!

    Give ear, you princes!

I, even I, will sing to Hashem.

    I will sing praise to Hashem, the Elohim of Israel.

4 “Hashem, when you went out of Seir,

    when you marched out of the field of Edom,

the earth trembled, the sky also dropped.

    Yes, the clouds dropped water.

5 The mountains quaked at Hashem’s presence,

    even Sinai at the presence of Hashem, the Elohim of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,

    in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied.

    The travelers walked through byways.

7 The rulers ceased in Israel.

    They ceased until I, Deborah, arose;

    Until I arose a mother in Israel.

8 They chose new gods.

    Then war was in the gates.

    Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel,

    who offered themselves willingly among the people.

    Bless Hashem!

10 “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys,

    you who sit on rich carpets,

    and you who walk by the way.

11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water,

    there they will rehearse Hashem’s righteous acts,

    the righteous acts of his rule in Israel.

“Then Hashem’s people went down to the gates.

12     ‘Awake, awake, Deborah!

    Awake, awake, utter a song!

    Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

13 “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down.

    Hashem came down for me against the mighty.

14 Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim,

    after you, Benjamin, among your peoples.

Governors come down out of Machir.

    Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah.

    As was Issachar, so was Barak.

    They rushed into the valley at his feet.

By the watercourses of Reuben,

    there were great resolves of heart.

16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds?

    To hear the whistling for the flocks?

At the watercourses of Reuben,

    there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead lived beyond the Jordan.

    Why did Dan remain in ships?

    Asher sat still at the haven of the sea,

    and lived by his creeks.

18 Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death;

    Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

19 “The kings came and fought,

    then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo.

    They took no plunder of silver.

20 From the sky the stars fought.

    From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

21 The river Kishon swept them away,

    that ancient river, the river Kishon.

    My soul, march on with strength.

22 Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing,

    the prancing of their strong ones.

23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said Hashem’s angel.

    ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants,

    because they didn’t come to help Yahweh,

    to help Yahweh against the mighty.’

24 “Jael shall be blessed above women,

    the wife of Heber the Kenite;

    blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

25 He asked for water.

    She gave him milk.

    She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

26 She put her hand to the tent peg,

    and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer.

With the hammer she struck Sisera.

    She struck through his head.

    Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples.

27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay.

    At her feet he bowed, he fell.

    Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

28 “Through the window she looked out, and cried:

    Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice.

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

    Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

29 Her wise ladies answered her,

    Yes, she returned answer to herself,

30 ‘Have they not found, have they not divided the plunder?

    A lady, two ladies to every man;

to Sisera a plunder of dyed garments,

    a plunder of dyed garments embroidered,

    of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the plunder?’

31 “So let all your enemies perish, Hashem,

    but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.”

Then the land had rest forty years.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

Seems like all of today’s readings are about Hashem’s miracles and man’s short memory of His faithfulness. Yes, we are all guilty of this. And so are these Bible characters and people. In this Matthew reading we see Peter witnessing a huge miracle -- Yeshua walking on water. But, a few moments later Peter doubts and starts to sink. He forgot. He forgot how big Hashem’s faithfulness is. And truthfully, as I am writing this, I too have forgotten. We are in the middle of a huge life change and every day I worry about what is going to happen. Instead of remembering His many, many miracles in my life and His continuing faithfulness -- I worry and forget. I am just like Peter. Sinking in doubt. We all need to stay strong in our faith and resolute. He will come through for us, He always does.

The Challenge:

If you are worried about something and it seems like your prayer requires a miracle, then pray. Ask Hashem if He will help you with this miracle. Be patient and thank Him for all the wonderful things He has done in the past. And be sure to BELIEVE. Believe He will help you, and He will answer your prayers.

Apostolic Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

14:22 Immediately Yeshua made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 After He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening had come, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 In the fourth watch of the night, Yeshua came to them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Yeshua spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”

28 Peter answered him and said, “L-rd, if it is You, command me to come to You on the waters.”

29 He said, “Come!”

Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Yeshua. 30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “L-rd, save me!”

31 Immediately Yeshua stretched out His hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of G-d!”

Beshalach - Reading #6

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #6 - Exodus 16:11–36

My Thoughts:

Everyone has unbelief. Even when Hashem is performing great miracles before your eyes. I guess. The Hebrew people did. He sent bread from heaven, literally. Parted a great sea. And He tells them not to gather on the Shabbat. But they try anyway. They go out and there is none to gather (verse 27). Does that shock you? That they would not believe their Elohim, who is displaying His glory from heaven! But, aren’t we the same? He will tell us something not to do very clearly, but we attempt to do it anyway? A good lesson to be learned this week. Listen to what Hashem is telling you and heed His word. Follow His Commandments fully and completely. He will provide.

Challenge:

In verse 30 Hashem is teaching people to begin resting on the Shabbat. Maybe in Egypt they were neglecting to do that. Or maybe they were ordered as slaves to work every single day. Here is Hashem, full of mercy and grace, gently leading them to the restoration of the Commandment of Shabbat. So, here is my question for you. Do you honor the Shabbat -- the seventh day of the week? If not or if you are not being fully obedient about observing the Shabbat -- then I challenge you to change. This is for me too! When Hashem says REST He means it. I think that anything we try to “gather” on the Shabbat will rot. So, why do it? Wait and gather the next day so that your harvest is abundant and fresh.

Reading #6 - Exodus 16:11–36

16:11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

13 In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. 14 When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. 15 When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Hashem has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which Hashem has commanded: ‘Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.’” 17 The children of Israel did so, and some gathered more, some less. 18 When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating. 19 Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” 20 Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, so it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. 21 They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is that which Hashem has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Hashem. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’” 24 They laid it up until the morning, as Moses ordered, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Hashem. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.” 27 On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. 28 Hashem said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 Behold, because Hashem has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 The house of Israel called its name “Manna”, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded, ‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33 Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot, and put an omer-full of manna in it, and lay it up before Hashem, to be kept throughout your generations.” 34 As Hashem commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 The children of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. 36 Now an omer is one tenth of an ephah.

Beshalach - Reading #5

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 15:27–16:10

My Thoughts:

Wow! Bread from the sky (verse 16:4)? Can you even imagine that Hashem loves His people (and us) so very much that He heard their “hunger pains” and blessed them with bread literally from the sky. I never thought of it this way before, but that’s how it covered the ground! If our Elohim can send bread from the sky and part the waters of the sea so that thousands of people can walk through it -- well I guess, He can do anything! I encouraged you to take a moment and reflect on how deep and how high Hashem’s love is for us. No matter how rough things can get, if we are following Him with full faith, He will meet our needs -- even in miraculous ways. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

Hashem is getting ready to “test” His people. Yes, He delivers this miraculous bread from heaven (actually for 40 years), but He also sets a Law. Only gather enough on the 6th day of the week to last you that day and the Shabbat. The rest will rot. How tempting it would have been to gather more! Think of it, you are starving and you never want you or your family to starve again! So, you naturally would want to gather as much as you could. However, Hashem says not to do that! What faith and courage it would take to obey Him! 

Do you have a situation in your life where God has blessed you, but you want more? I challenge you to put your trust in Him for your future, and accept with gratefulness what He has given you now. He will provide all you need, if you just ask Him.

Reading #5 - Exodus 15:27–16:10

15:27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters.

16 They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2 The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3 and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Hashem’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

4 Then Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

6 Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening, you shall know that Hashem has brought you out from the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning, you shall see Hashem’s glory; because he hears your murmurings against Hashem. Who are we, that you murmur against us?” 8 Moses said, “Now Hashem will give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you, because Hashem hears your murmurings which you murmur against him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against Hashem.” 9 Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come close to Hashem, for he has heard your murmurings.’” 10 As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, Hashem’s glory appeared in the cloud.

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 all you have to do is 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.”

Beshalach - Reading #3

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #3 - Exodus 14:15–25

My Thoughts:

Pillar of cloud. Can you imagine what that would look like? It protected them from the hot sun and obscured them from the Egyptians. It makes me wonder if there are times in life when Hashem presents Himself between us and the “enemy”. If He “hides” us from evil. I’m sure He does and that is a very comforting thought. It is important to pray for His protection every day over our lives and those we love. Now we can pray that He continues to present a “cloud” of covering between us and the enemy. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

What do you need protection for in your life? Your finances, your health, your spouse, your children, your home? It is super important to ask Him for that protection. On a daily basis. He is our Protector and our Shield. And I am grateful for that. Today I challenge you to go before Hashem and ask Him for specific protection. Then praise Him for His faithfulness. Amen.

Reading #3 - Exodus 14:15–25

14:15 Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. Then the children of Israel shall go into the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.” 19 The angel of Elohim, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them. 20 It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. There was the cloud and the darkness, yet it gave light by night. One didn’t come near the other all night.

21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Hashem caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 In the morning watch, Hashem looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Hashem fights for them against the Egyptians!”

Beshalach - Reading #2

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out
Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #2 - Exodus 14:9–14

My Thoughts:

What a scene! The Egyptians are approaching the Hebrews and suddenly doubt invades the Hebrews! Did they make a mistake following Moses away from their homes? Are the Egyptians going to catch up with them and destroy them? They were scared. 

Moses simply says to them “Stand still” and that Hashem will fight for them. Have you ever freaked out in a situation and doubted that Hashem was there to help you? I have! I have always had a very strong faith in Hashem, but there have been times of crisis when I cried out to Hashem and I wasn’t really sure I believed that He heard me. After all was said and done, and looking back, I can see that He was there! And that He worked everything out for good. But, in the middle of it all -- we do get scared! That’s when we have to hold on to our faith and STAND STILL.

Challenge:

If you are in the middle of a crisis then this Scripture today is Hashem speaking to you. He is telling you clearly to hold on, stand still and know that He will fight for you. It may not look like He hears you or that He is doing anything, but I promise you He is! You will see. Pray and be strong!

Reading #2 - Exodus 14:9–14

14:9 The Egyptians pursued them. All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Hashem. 11 They said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Hashem, which He will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today. 14 Hashem will fight for you, and you shall be still.”

Beshalach - Reading #1

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #1 - Exodus 13:17–14:8

My Thoughts:

In verse 14:2 we see a little change in plans. They actually change directions. Some sages say that they went south instead of southeast. Hashem’s goal was to get them safely to the Red Sea where He could perform His most outstanding miracle of it all. It makes me think that sometimes in our lives we see where Hashem is “tweaking” His plans for us. That happened to me last year. Hashem changed my places of work, and when it first happened I didn’t understand. Now that I have been working in my new position I can see exactly what He was doing. It was all meant for good. The important thing is that you are in His will daily. Seek His face, read His word, pray, repent and follow Him. Ultimately, His plans will become yours.

Challenge:

Today I challenge you to be flexible. If things are happening the way you think they should -- give Hashem a chance to show you why. As mentioned before, stay close to Him. Trust that whatever is happening, as long as you are obedient and prayerful, will soon make sense to you. Whatever change you are going through, ask Hashem to turn it all to good! And then praise Him for making it that way.

Reading #1 - Exodus 13:17–14:8

13:17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, Elohim didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Elohim said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”; 18 but Elohim led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 Elohim went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.

14 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea. 3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem.” They did so.

5 The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 He prepared his chariot, and took his army with him; 7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, with captains over all of them. 8 Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.