Connections:
I like to find connections in my scripture readings and this week is no exception.
The Torah Portion title is "Shemot" (שמות),which means “names.” Generally, titles for each Torah Portion can be found within the first verses of the portion. That being said, we find that the Exodus reading begins by giving the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt.
My study habits have transformed from being satisfied with just surface knowledge into seeking to know more about the author and finisher of my faith, My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have grown accustomed to asking deeper questions at the onset of my study. One question has become, "What is the greater importance of the title and how is this connected to the scripture readings for the week?"
I have been taught that there is no Hebrew word for coincidence. This just means to me that God's plan doesn't allow for coincidence. Since there are no coincidences then there must be a reason for the order and format of my study. Now, everyone will not agree with me on this matter, but that's okay. I'll move on anyway...
- I began by looking at the scriptures from Luke and questioned how "Names" was connected. The scripture is interesting in that the the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this...?" They seek a name, an answer to know who is it that does all these healing miracles? Without realizing, they are seeking The Name above all names. The answer is not clearly given to them, but with a deeper than surface understanding, we can see that The Name is Jesus, the Son of God. Hallelujah!
· Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man…Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal… And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Yes, with the crowds, even the scribes and Pharisees came. But they came not only to see but to condemn. This reminds me that there will always be those around who do not understand and do not want to understand when God is moving. Those who think they know everything will not be willing to see God because they will have blinded eyes and deafened ears!
· Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) …a tax collector named Levi…Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Still the scribes and Pharisees stand in judgement…
· A Discussion about Fasting “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” I wonder who is asking this question. Could it be one of the scribes and Pharisees or just someone who has taken notice? Is the qustion asked in judgement or from the perspective of a sincere desire to know? We do not know the answer to this. But God knows and there is a reason that it is recorded for us. Is the bridegroom with us? Isn't He supposed to be spiritually speaking? Or does it mean, physically? Has the bridegroom been taken away from us? Questions to ponder...
- Next, I read the Torah Portion and the title emerges: Now these are the names (shemot) of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob (Exodus 1:1). Each son came with his own household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. As we continue to read, we find the people, enslaved, being mistreated and mistrusted by Pharoah and the Egyptians. They cry out to God. Various events take place and God raises up Moses to act on His behalf. But Moses is hesitant and questions God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” This is the Name above all names! At the end of this portion, the promise is given: But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” Although in this portion, the people are not delivered out of Egypt yet, but God has not abandoned them. The upcoming readings reveal the story. Much of the surface of the story, we all know. But what of deeper meanings? How can the life of the people of Israel be likened to the people of the United States or even of any country? How are we like Moses or Aaron, or not like them? How are we like Pharaoh or the Egyptians, or not like them? What lessons are here that reveal our relationship to God Almighty? Each of us must answer these questions on our own...
· Exodus 1:1
Introduction ~ the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt…
· Exodus 1:8
The Israelites Are Oppressed …the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad…they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves… birth sons were to be killed…
· Exodus 2:1
Birth and Youth of Moses …saved for a greater purpose, raised in the Pharoah’s home, raised as royalty with all the advantages
· Exodus 2:11
Moses Flees to Midian …after killing an Egyptian, hides away and makes a new life… the new life is one of hard work and few advantages
· Exodus 3:1
Moses at the Burning Bush …God reveals Himself to Moses
· Exodus 3:13
The Divine Name Revealed …“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” “I Am has sent me to you.”
· Exodus 4:1
Moses' Miraculous Power …the staff of Moses becomes a serpent…that they may believe… the leprous hand was cleansed… the water of the Nile turned to blood… God send Aaron along with Moses to be his mouth…
· Exodus 4:18
Moses Returns to Egypt …the people believed and wanted to worship & sacrifice to the Lord
· Exodus 5:1
Bricks without Straw …but Pharaoh punishes the people
· Exodus 6:1
Israel's Deliverance Assured …God promises the people will be delivered
- Last, the reading of Prophets: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23. Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:“Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Again, there it is the Name above all names!
· Isaiah 28 …A Message about Samaria…proud people brought down… the Lord will send a mighty army against it…
· Isaiah 29 …A Message about Jerusalem…Suddenly, in an instant, I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will act for you with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and consuming fire. All the nations fighting against Jerusalem* will vanish like a dream!
