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Wellsprings of Torah,  www.TorahWellsprings.org
Rick Wills - Messianic Elder,  Mishareth@TorahWellsprings.org

Parsha 14:  Wa’era - And I Appeared


Torah: Exodus 6:2-9:35

    Chapter 6 verse 2 “God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am Adonai. I appeared to Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov as El Shaddai, although I did not make Myself known to them by My name Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh (Adonai). Also with them I established My covenant to give them the land of Kena’an, the land where they wandered about and lived as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Isra’el, whom the Egyptians are keeping in slavery; and I have remembered My covenant."

    This is the second of three Torah portions that tell of the meetings between Moses and Pharaoh.

    In verses 6 through 8, we see Adonoi give Israel four promises that are the basis of the four cups at the Passover Seder; I shall take you out - Sanctification; I shall rescue you - Salvation; I shall redeem you - Redemption; I shall take you to me - Acceptance.

    In verses 14 through 27, we see the leaders of the tribes listed by name, a continuation of the Title of this second Book, Sh’mot, or names.

    Then in the confrontations with Pharaoh, Adonoi begins to demonstrate His power - greater than the best magicians of Egypt. He turns the staff of Moses into a snake, which devours the snake that the magicians produce. Then follow the first 7 of the 10 plagues.

    These plagues are also a sign of Gods mercy, since each is also an opportunity for Pharaoh to repent. And during each plague, Pharaoh appears to be softening. In the first five confrontations, however, we read that “Pharaoh hardened his heart”. During the rest of the plagues, we read that “God hardened Pharaohs heart.” This shift in wording indicates that Pharaoh lost the ability to repent. This is, indeed, part and parcel of the punishment .

    And we should note that the people of Israel do not experience the fourth and subsequent plagues, as God begins to make them separate and different from other nations.


Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

    The background for this reading is one of war and political intrigue. Egypt had “allied” with Assyria and Israel to defend themselves against a rising Babylon. Then Egypt dominated Judah for nearly a century. In this haftarah, we read the beginnings of the prophecy of Ezekiel against the Egyptians.

    To encourage Israel, Ezekiel gives several promises that parallel those given in the Torah reading. First, we see Israel gathered from their dispersion. Next, God promises the make them Holy, or sanctify them. Also, God promises to restore them to their homeland, Eretz Israel, in security and peace. And in the ending of the reading, Israel is strengthened by Adonoi, a nation separate from all others in His Holiness.

    But in the bulk of the passage, Ezekiel prophesies a judgment by God against Pharaoh for two reasons. First, because in Egypt’s false support of Israel, they have actually injured them. Secondly, the land of Egypt is to be made desolate because in his arrogance and pride, for Pharaoh said “The Nile is mine: I made it”. He has set himself up as a god.

    We see that this judgment is passed on Egypt so that Is’rael will recognize their own guilt in relying on Egypt rather than God, and they once again recognize Adonai for Who He is.

    The judgment is delivered by God through Nebuchadnezzar, and Egypt is scattered. However, after a 40 year exile, the Egyptians will be gathered once again, but as a lowly, insignificant nation. And God promises to eventually cause power to return to Israel.

    What will be the result of all of this? We are told twice, in 28:26 and 29:21 “Then they will know that I am Adonai their God.”


Chadasha: 2 Corinthians: 6:14-7:1

    We read in verses 16-17…” as God said, “I will house myself in them,…and I will walk among you. I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore Adonai says, “go out from their midst; separate yourselves; don’t even touch what is unclean. Then I myself will receive you. In fact, I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters” says Adonai-Tzva’ot.

    Again we see promises that parallel those in the Torah and Haftarah readings.

    Rav Shaul concludes this portion in Chapter 7 verse 1 Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.

    In the Torah reading, Hashem separated Israel from Egypt. In the Haftarah, Ezekiel passed on the promises that Isra’el would be separate and Holy. In the Brit Khadasha Rav Shaul instructed us to follow that example, to separate ourselves, to be Holy as God is Holy.

    Each time He promised blessings, including that He would dwell with His people.

    God has done that for us, by the sacrifice of Yeshua and the indwelling of the Ruach Haqodesh. But Rav Shaul tells us to live as one who has accepted that sacrifice in order to truly honor God.


Baruch Hashem,
George Robinson