Yitro יִתְרוֹ - Jethro
Exodus: 18:1-20:22
Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6
Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26
Reading #7 - Exodus 20:15–23
My Thoughts:
It seems like very day and every week as I study a particular Torah portion, that it applies to my life and what is happening now! For instance, the Commandment not to covet your neighbor’s house. We are in the process of looking to purchase a house and sell ours. We are moving to the same city, just need to downsize. So, we take walks and drives and look at houses. Even houses that are not for sale we look at and make comments. I had to be careful this week, because I was starting to “covet” some houses! Really! But, because I have been studying and trying to follow the Commandments and I repented quickly and told Hashem that whatever house He gives us we will be super satisfied!
Sometimes following the Commandments is a daily task! Especially what we are thinking in our minds! I don’t know about you, but it seems like the more I study and get to know Hashem’s desires for us, the quicker I get convicted of sinning. And I am learning to repent quickly and trying to change. Taking one day at a time!
Challenge:
During my “coveting” experience this week, I also had a strong thought about those who are in need. Here I am, thinking about buying a new house, when many people around the world --don’t even have houses! We must remember to help those who are not as fortunate as we are. We must remember to pray for hunger, abuse, and poverty to stop. And we must remember to pray for the Mashiach to return -- so that the earth can return to its original plan. Just like the Garden.
Reading #7 - Exodus 20:15–23
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
18 All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. 19 They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let Elohim speak with us, lest we die.”
20 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for Elohim has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.” 21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where Elohim was.
22 Hashem said to Moses, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside me.
Haftarah Reading:
My Thoughts:
Hashem of armies! We sometimes forget the ultimate power of our Elohim! Not only is He sovereign over all the world, but He LEADS the spiritual armies in the heavens. I do believe He “wars” on our behalf on a daily basis. He must be encouraged by our prayers and our needs. He wants to join us in our battles. But, only if we let Him. It’s time to let Hashem be in control of your needs, your struggles. It’s time to let go. Amen.
Challenge:
Can you imagine a whole world full of the glory of Hashem (verse 3)? Are you prepared for this? Am I prepared? That is why Hashem gave us His Law. It gets us ready. In a world full of sin and temptation, He has outlined for us a clear path to holiness. And He tells us it is not too difficult.
Today is a good day (Shabbat) for self-reflection. Take a hard look at your life and praise Hashem for the things you are doing right and ask His help to correct the things you are doing wrong. Each day is a new day. Keep trying to overcome sin in your life. If you fall, get right back up! And hold unto Him, the author and finisher of your faith!
Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6
6 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw Hashem sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. 3 One called to another, and said,
“Holy, holy, holy, is Hashem of Armies!
The whole earth is full of His glory!”
4 The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said, “Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Hashem of Armies!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it, and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven.”
8 I heard Hashem’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
9 He said, “Go, and tell this people,
‘You hear indeed,
but don’t understand.
You see indeed,
but don’t perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people fat.
Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and turn again, and be healed.”
11 Then I said, “Hashem, how long?”
He answered,
“Until cities are waste without inhabitant,
houses without man,
the land becomes utterly waste,
12 and Hashem has removed men far away,
and the forsaken places are many within the land.
13 If there is a tenth left in it,
that also will in turn be consumed,
as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stump remains when they are cut down;
so the holy seed is its stock.”
7 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 2 David’s house was told, “Syria is allied with Ephraim.” His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.
3 Then Hashem said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field. 4 Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, 6 “Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king within it, even the son of Tabeel.”
9:5 For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Elohim, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Apostolic Scripture Reading
My Thoughts:
In verse 17, Yeshua says “...if you want to enter into life, keep the Commandments.” Pretty simple right? He has paved the way of understanding for us to be in His eternal presence. But, it requires “action”. We are not just to go to synagogue or church and say our daily prayers. There is a daily, sometimes minute by minute requirement to follow His Commands. If you are studying Torah, you will be quickly reminded when you break a Commandment. And it will not be good. But, our gracious and kind Elohim will quickly forgive you and give you another chance. Take it.
Challenge:
In verse 21 we are challenged to give to the poor. Are you doing that? Look for opportunities around you -- there are absolutely times when Hashem will show you the needs of others. When the need is presented, take action and help. You will know your guidelines and you will know what to give or do by simply listening to the voice of Hashem. Don’t be afraid to let go of some of your resources, you will be blessed back in incredible ways!
Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26
16 Behold, one came to Him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
17 He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, Elohim. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to him, “Which ones?”
Yeshua said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Yeshua said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23 Yeshua said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into Elohim’s Kingdom.”
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Looking at them, Yeshua said, “With men this is impossible, but with Elohim all things are possible.”
