Parsha Page
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Rick Wills - Messianic Elder,
Mishareth@TorahWellsprings.org
Sidra
Overview
The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 50 Kaved Lev, A
Proud Heart
Torah, Exodus 7:14 - 8:15
And the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh is stubborn; he refuses to let the people
go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is coming out to the water, and station
yourself before him at the edge of the Nile, taking with you the rod that turned
into a snake. And say to him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you
to say, “Let My people go that they may worship Me in the wilderness.”
This is a continuation of several Torah portions that tell of
the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh.
This reading begins telling of the ten plagues, which arrive in three groups of
three, with the tenth and final plague standing alone. The first trilogy of
plagues is the Nile turning to blood, infestation with frogs and infestation of
vermin (most likely mosquitoes or lice).
These plagues are not just a punishment upon Mitzrayim (Egypt), they also a sign
of Gods mercy since each is also an opportunity for Pharaoh to repent. And
during the first two plagues, Pharaoh appears to be softening. However, the
magicians of Mitzrayim duplicated the plagues of blood and frogs, so Pharaoh
became stubborn, and would not heed Adonoi. Pharaoh even went so far as to ask
Moses to remove the frogs, promising then that the people could go to worship
the Lord. Moses predicted the time the plague would end, so the Pharaoh would
recognize that this actually came from Adonoi. But when Pharaoh saw the relief,
he refused to let the people go.
After the third plague, the lice, afflicted Mitzrayim, the magicians could not
duplicate the work of Adonoi. They became fearful, and told Pharaoh the this was
indeed the finger of God, but Pharaoh’s heart stiffened, and he would not heed
them.
Qeriath, Joel 3:1 - 4:3
The book of Joel is a prophetic work that does not have a determined time frame
for fulfillment. The first 2 chapters contain prophecies of God's judgment
against Judah and the response of the people. These judgments provoke images of
the plagues preceding the Exodus. The judgment is harsh - but there is the
promise of forgiveness and restoration if Judah will return to worshiping
Adonai. And the restoration is glorious, with
Adonai proclaiming Himself again as the Lord our God, and His people will be
shamed no more. Chapter 3 begins with a vision of Adonai sending His Spirit, the
Ruach HaKodesh, to the people. Thus
He will reveal Himself to the sons and daughters of Zion through prophecy,
dreams and visions. There will be signs in the heavens and earth that the Day of
the Lord is approaching, with the sun turning dark and the moon into blood.
As always, there will be terrible judgment, but also a remnant. Chapter 3 verse 5 reads "But everyone who invokes the Name of
the Lord shall escape; for there shall be a remnant on Mount Zion and in
Jerusalem, as the Lord has promised. Anyone
who invokes the Lord will be among the survivors." Chapter 4 tells Judah and
Yerushalayim that all the nations will gather together against them. But there is the grand promise that God
will contend with the nations and deliver Yerushalayim.
Da'ath, Acts
2:1-13
Now Shavuot has arrived in
Yerushalayim. The Ruach HaKodesh
comes upon the believers gathered together, with the sound of wind and
appearance of tongues of fire. All of the Jews gathered in the city heard the
Messianic Jews talking in their own native language, and were amazed. The
following verses show Kefa quoting from Joel 3:1-5, which we discussed in the
Qeriath reading. Perhaps this event is at least a partial fulfillment of Joel's
prophecy.
Igarath, 1 Peter 4:1-11
Kefa (Peter) encourages us
to be united with the attitude of Yeshua, as He suffered physical punishment. As
we experience that suffering, we are to be finished with sin, aligning our lives
with the mitzvoth of Adonai and rejecting the sins of the flesh. We are to be
self-controlled, so we may pray, and loving of one another. The gospel has been
preached so those that hear it may recognize their sin and live in the spirit of
God. Any spiritual gift that Adonai has given us, we are to use for the benefit
of others and the Glory of God. The work we do is to be done as Isaiah and Rav
Shaul did their work, out of the strength given by HaShem, not our own strength
or will.
Conclusion
Torah reveals the beginning of a great judgment of Adonai upon Mitzrayim. In
Qeriath Joel prophecies another judgment, followed by restoration and
deliverance, including the prophecy of the revelation of Adonai Himself to the
people by the Ruach HaKodesh. In Acts, we see that prophecy being fulfilled. And
in 1 Peter we are told how to live, having received the revelation of God
through Yeshua HaMashiach.
In this we see the Hand of God throughout history, working to bring all people
to Himself for Salvation.
Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson