Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Yithro - Jethro
Exodus 18:1-20:26
Haftorah
Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
B’rit Chadashah
Matthew 5:17–32; 19:16-30
1 Peter 2:9–10
Revelation 19:6–9; 2 Corinthians 11:2
Introduction:
The past several weeks we have studied the book of Exodus and YHVH’s plan of redemption. As we study this parashot you’ll notice that we begin to transition from YHVH’s deliverance to what was expected of the people in becoming the betrothed of a Holy God.
Over the past several years I have studied many an ancient text on the passages we about to read. There is no shortage of rabbinical and Christian theological opinion (I stress opinion) on some of the various elements. But, again, even through much wrestling, the Ruach haKodesh has revealed some aspects that relate today’s news and us.
Study:
Chapter 18
Even a cursory reading of the online New World Encyclopedia sheds a great deal of light on Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (or Jether, or Hebrew:Yithro). It is important to know this background so that we may better understand what the Word is saying. Jethro, the high priest of Midian as he is identified here, has many other names. In scripture he is also called "Reuel" (Ex 2:18) and Raguel (Num 10:29. His name means “His Excellence.” Thus, his given name may have been Reuel (friend of God), but his title – Jethro meant "his Excellence." This is a distinction worthy of noting in the positioning of announcement and acceptance. Verse 6 is the announcement of "His Excellence" arrival and verse 7 is Moses acceptance of him on that basis - i.e. Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him. This is not the expression of cordiality. It is the expression of relative position. (Do you have a better understanding why Moses was called a humble man - even after walking in the awesome power of YHVH?)
Even more interesting to our understanding is that, Jethro is known as Shoaib, one of the prophets in the Qur'an (Some scholars' debate timing.). He is also revered as a major prophet in the Druze religion (They claim to be descendents). Thus, Jethro was arguably considered a major prophet of his time – at least by the Canaanites and Midianites but, NOT IN YHVH’s biblical account.
The Midianites, through their apparent religious-political connection with the Moabites, are thought to have worshipped a multitude of gods, including Baal-peor and the Queen of Heaven, Ashteroth. Thus, we can’t be absolutely certain which gods Jethro worshipped, but it seems evident that Elohim was not the only one. Thus, we must recognize that there is a great probability of “mixture” (saying it nicely) in the prophecies/instructions of Jethro.
Exo 18:11,12 Jethro acknowledges other gods while declaring that YHVH is greater than the rest. Was this a conversion to YHVH and denial of all other gods? Did Jethro partake of the Passover lamb? Was he baptized in the Red (water & salt) Sea under the cloud of Christ (recall last week’s parashot)? Was he a part of the promises of Israel? Obviously, the answer to each of these questions is a resounding, NO! And yet, Aaron and the 70 elders joined Jethro and Moses to partake of the sacrifice Jethro made unto YHVH. (Remember, the Levitical priesthood had not yet been established.)
Exo 18:17-19 After Jethro observes Moses’ toil in judging the people he says, “The thing that thou doest is not good.” Exo 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” Exo 18:19 Did YHVH say it was not a good thing? How do we know that it wasn’t YHVH’s purpose for a season? Then after Jethro proposes a plan of judgment captains – all the way down to the captain’s of ten, he says,;
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God: (19) “Listen to my counsel and Elohim will bless you.” I’m suspicious. Doesn’t this sound just a little like, “hear the good rational counsel of man, do it my way and God will bless you. Moses spoke to God face to face, is this what God wanted? Does it say Moses asked God?
Exo 18:23, 24 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace. So did Moses hearken unto the voice of God or his father-in-law? Don’t miss the subtly of the next verse. It doesn’t include God. It says, "So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said." (24)
While the plan sounds good to the rational mind, was this the way YHVH would have done it? We may never know, but we do know that this is NOT the way YHVH dealt with Moses’ burden of the people later on: In Numbers 11:16-17 we read:
And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
So what am I suggesting in contrast to the many other opinions that abound? Here is what I see from this story. Jethro was a man of reputation, related to Moses by marriage and distant ancestry. Upon their meeting with Israel, Jethro declared his own excellence and also the magnificence of YHVH over “all (other) gods,” and invited all the elders of Israel to partake of his sacrifice – bond together. Moses hearkened unto the voice of man, not God. He delegated authority on reputation and human judgment “able men” with an outward appearance of virtue, not by the power/spirit of God as YHVH did later. Doesn’t the phrase, “able men” or “men of accomplishment” (as translated in some bibles) sound like the method whereby many churches select their deacons and elders today?
Last year as I was studying for this message I happened to watch Secretary Hilary Clinton’s keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. Her address was well crafted to embrace and encompass the audience she addressed. She identified herself as one of the faithful by saying, “I have attended this prayer breakfast every year since 1993.” She equated the last three presidents as all men of faith, “I’ve watched and I’ve listened to three presidents, each a man of faith.” She established her heritage, “I grew up in the Methodist Church.” She told an undeniable truth, “all to often it is religion that is the force that drives and sustains division rather than being the healing balm.” And then she said, “So in the Obama Administration, we are working to bridge religious divides.” And finally, she concluded by exhorting us to pray that, WE can sustain the force and feeling …. And continue in the power of faith.” Her speech was so well crafted that many religious leaders were “blessed” and “just marveled at her words.”
How long will the people of God be deceived by flattering words without the character or “works” that give testament? Will we abandon God’s Word for unity and man’s temporary peace. There is a vast difference in the definition of “men of faith” in God’s word versus the rhetoric of men. This is not a question of torah observance for the love of YHVH. This is a matter of downright deception. Is a fornicator, adulterer, extortionist or covetous man a man of faith? Is a “man” who preaches peace, but acknowledges another god, a man of faith?
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
There are many who speak of faith, but faith in what? They speak of a faith of and in “I” and “We” – not YHVH. They speak our language but have an entirely different definition than YHVH is teaching us through trust in Him. Finally, they are seducing many to trust in man and man’s government. Yes, through His Holy Spirit YHVH has been calling us to a greater of level of faith that we may stand in the day of tribulation. But this is a faith based upon trust in Him and His Word, not the ideas and inventions of man nor man himself – that is the path to the anti-Christ. New age humanism and new age “community/unity” religion has become a subtle snare to entrap God’s people.
This chapter is far more than a history lesson. Doesn’t the New Testament say that these scriptures are given for our examples? What other example are we supposed to get from this story for us today. Let us hear this story of Jethro and understand what God is trying to show us. Not only can we be led just “slightly” (if slightly is possible) astray, again the Spirit of God is warning us to exercise our individual discernment (and prayer) with whom we follow or fellowship. If leaders like Moses, Aaron and the elders were deceived to embrace the mixture and fellowship with a divided prophet, can we be safe from the devil’s wiles? NO!
Exo 18:2 Because Moses “sent” her (Zip-porah) back to Jethro with the two boys, it has been speculated that Moses had divorced her. Being “sent” could imply divorcement. Further, in verse 6 Jethro says, “..and her two sons with her.” While there is much speculation, there are no known texts that clarify this issue. The question then becomes: if Moses is the shadow picture of Messiah, does divorcement fit that picture – especially without reference to her infidelity. Also recognize that since YHVH later supported Moses marriage to the Ethiopian woman (Num 12), would He have done so if Moses had violated His eternal unchanging torah?
Chapter 19
Exo 19:1-3 …they came into the wilderness of Sinai. …and there Israel camped before the mount.
For several hundred years bible scholars have favored Jabal Musa in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt as the sight of the biblical Mt. Sinai. Most maps shown in the back of bibles and maps on computer programs point to this location. The journey of Israel is generally plotted as going through the Sea of Reeds - a shallow body of water that is prolific with reeds. As shallow as this body of water is today, it would have been a miracle for the Egyptians to drown in it. If it were deeper in Moses time, then one must wonder why no archeological remains have been found.
I have visited (and climbed) this favored sight of Mount Sinai and observed several discrepancies with the biblical account. The narrow approach to the base of Jabal Musa is occupied by the Monastery of St. Catherine. The monastery has existed for almost 1500 years (Emperor Justin commissioned 527-564AD) and their monks (Russian and Greek Orthodox) are responsible for building rudimentary rock "steps" as you near the peak and a small chapel at its summit. There is also a mosque (Fatmid Mosque) inside the monastery.
Without going into great detail, following are a few thoughts and observations which place this favored tourist location in doubt as the biblical Mt. Sinai:
1. It was under Egyptian rule - i.e. probable recapture by Pharaoh.
2. There is no evidence of water having been in this small plane.
3. No evidence of cultivatable land anywhere for centuries - it is very rocky soil.
4. Thus, no evidence of greenery or grasslands (other than that artificially watered by the hotel) - i.e. unable to sustain Israel's flocks of cattle and sheep.
5. Not a big enough area to sustain 2-3 million people.
Several years ago, amateur archeologist, Ron Wyatt documented the more probable crossing point on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula, along what is now called the Gulf of Aqaba (formerly: Red Sea) and nearly a third of the way down. According to Wyatt and depth soundings, it is at a point where there is a land bridge under the sea which slopes gradually at each side but descends nearly a 1000 feet. When YHVH blew the East wind this underwater bridge became exposed so that the people could cross on dry land until He ceased and the water came crashing in on the pursuing Egyptians. Wyatt shows videos of encrusted gold chariot wheels and parts in the water and memorial pillars placed by Solomon at this point of crossing.
Within approximately 60 kilometers of this crossing point is a mountain known as Jabal al Lawz (Arabic name) with all the features of a burnt top, a plane at its base where all Israel could have encamped, evidences of a streambed, a giant split rock, and even an altar with Egyptian petroglyphs unique to this area were discovered. (www.wyattmuseum.com/ )
This area has been conquered and lost many times throughout history. However, Paul the Apostle affirmed its location in Galatians. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia,.. (Galatians 4:25). And yet, like many other verses exposed by "rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim 2:15) bible "scholars" continue to ignore the scriptures that would bring revelation and truth to the body of Christ.
Today, in this Muslim country, this sight around Jabal al Lawz is securely guarded by Saudi Arabia's soldiers. It is fenced so that no further close inspection is possible. There has been a later visitation of this sight by Bob Cornuke and Larry Williams who have written several books and published papers on this sight as being Mt. Sinai. Yet, counter arguments abound and it is still a hotly debated issue.
Exo 19:5 YHVH proposes to His bride – if you’ll obey my voice, keep my covenant… I’ll make you a kingdom of (i.e. kings - Rev:1:6, 5:10) and priests (19:6).
Exo 19:8 And the people accepted.. "we will do.”
But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9,10)
Exo 19:10 Sanctify and wash their garments .. Speaking of the church: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26)
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Revelation 19:7-8)
Washing (baptism) is preparation to meet the Lord.
Exo 19:11 The third day is mentioned twice here. (A prophetic reference to the work of Messiah.) For two days (verse 10) the people were to wash and prepare themselves for the third day when YHVH would appear and marry them in covenantal relationship. Since a day is as a thousand years (Ps 90:4; 2 Pet 3:8) then can we see that our marriage is soon coming in this third day following Christ’s resurrection?
Exo 19:15 Earlier we were basing a conclusion against Moses’ supposed divorcement upon YHVH’s eternal torah. Note here that they were instructed, “come not near your wives.” He gives this as an instruction in staying clean before the whole subject of clean and unclean has been revealed.
Exo 19:16, 19 The voice of the Lord – the trumpet
Chapter 20
Exo 20:1-17 Before we begin reading YHVH’s commandments, let’s read what Yeshua said about them for us: Matthew 5:17–20; 19:16-30; The royal laws 1st – believe- that I am He who delivered you - and then you shall do these. Is it not an implication that if you believe, if you “have the fear of God” you will do these commandments?
Exo 20:18-19 God wanted one to one relationship and the people chose an intermediary.
Haftora
Isaiah 6:1-7:6; & 9:5-6 (7)
Both the Parashah and Haftorah describe a revelation of the glory of YHVH. In the Parashah it is evidenced in the beginning of Israel becoming a set-apart nation. In the Haftorah it marks the beginning of Judah’s punishment into captivity. Yet despite the imminent demise of the Southern Kingdom, Isaiah’s vision, stresses the fact that regardless of the sinfulness of Judah, YHVH promises, through His own power, a restoration. Likewise, Ephraim, who was scattered to the nations, will also be re-gathered from the nations at Yeshua’s return. The message: YHVH will redeem that which is lost – day follows night. This is His Yeshua (salvation):
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
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Shabbat Shalom,
Randy
File: Yithro 2011